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Questa Independent Schools board approves playground access, donations and policy changes; president recuses on bus contract vote
Summary
At its Feb. 17 meeting the Questa Independent Schools Board of Education unanimously approved community access to the Rio Costilla School playground, accepted two $1,000 LOR Foundation donations, approved an adjusted bus contract after the president recused, and adopted a religious exemption policy on second reading.
President Jason Rael called the Questa Independent Schools Board of Education to order at 5:07 p.m. on Feb. 17. The board approved the meeting agenda and minutes from Feb. 3, 2026 (the minutes passed 3–1, with Member Juan Cisneros voting no).
The board heard public comment from Daryl Ortega, who said he had outstanding Inspection of Public Records Act requests and raised concerns that the district’s drivers education class offers instruction without in-vehicle driving opportunities, requiring parents to pay separately. "I have the New Mexico School Board Handbook" and I want access to the records I requested, Ortega said during public comment.
Tony Ortiz, an associate with Ortiz & Zamora Law Firm, presented board training on the Open Meetings Act and transparency laws on behalf of partner Geno Zamora, who was unavailable. Ortiz provided a PowerPoint and hard-copy materials to members.
On new business the board approved a formal request from the Costilla Neighborhood Association to allow community access to the Rio Costilla School playground and basketball court. Nina Rowell presented the written request; Member Juan Cisneros moved to approve, President Rael seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
The board accepted two separate $1,000 donations from the LOR Foundation: one to support a Literacy Night at Alta Vista School and a second to support an Earth Day clean-up. The Literacy Night donation was moved by President Rael and seconded by Member Cisneros; the Earth Day donation was moved by Member Cisneros and seconded by Vice President Michael Cordova. Both motions passed unanimously.
When the board considered an adjusted bus contract with Charlie A. Martinez Bus Service, President Rael said he would step out of the room because he is related to G. Quintana and directed Vice President Michael Cordova to conduct the meeting for that item. With Rael absent for the vote, Member Juan Cisneros moved to approve the adjusted bus contract and Secretary Valerie Vigil seconded. Vice President Cordova, Secretary Vigil and Member Cisneros voted aye; the motion carried. President Rael re-entered the meeting after the vote.
The board approved the second reading of a Religious Exemption policy identified in the minutes as I-5261 and K-1531. Member Cisneros moved to approve and President Rael seconded. Roll call recorded President Rael and Vice President Cordova voting in favor, Secretary Vigil abstaining, and Member Cisneros voting in favor; the policy passed with three in favor and one abstention.
A scheduled overview of a proposed bond by Mark Valenzuela of Bosque Advisors, LLC and a presentation on a Vida Del Norte student survey by Maria Gonzales were both tabled at the board’s request. Budget-to-actual finance reports were provided in hard copy; no budget adjustment requests (BARs) or pre-approval requisitions over $5,000 were presented.
At 7:59 p.m. the board entered executive session under NMSA 1978, Section 10-15-1(H)(7) to discuss legal matters related to potential dissolution of QISD school property and exited at 8:25 p.m.; the board reported no action was taken during the closed session. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Actions taken at the meeting were routine approvals, two community-facing donations, a contract approval carried out during a recusal, and final adoption of a district religious exemption policy on second reading. The board also scheduled regional training and other items for future meetings.
