Raton Schools approves BLUUM Chromebook purchase, considers new device-rotation policy and propane bus demo

The Raton Board of Education approved a requisition for Chromebook devices to BLUUM on June 18 and heard proposals to change how student devices are managed.

During informational reports, Transportation Director Nick Cardenas said a propane-powered bus will arrive in the coming weeks for district staff and board members to inspect and test-ride as part of the district's exploration of alternative fuel options for its fleet.

In a separate presentation, Myra Baird proposed shifting the district's device-rotation process so that incoming freshmen receive new devices and students keep the same device through their high school careers; graduates would keep devices at the end of their intended service life. Baird and Superintendent Kristie Medina said the change responds to repair costs and logistics tied to collecting and reissuing devices each year. They also cited security and safety concerns about permitting broad use of personal devices on district systems. The board requested that a representative from Elite Customer Centered Solutions of New Mexico (ECCSONM) attend the July meeting to explain technical and security trade-offs.

On the requisition for Chromebooks, a motion to postpone the BLUUM purchase to July failed on a 0-5 vote after Baird warned postponement might delay delivery until after school starts. Member Brenda Ferri then moved to approve the requisition to BLUUM (the transcript later spells the vendor as "BLUMM"); the motion passed 5-0.

The board did not indicate any contract amounts or delivery timelines in open session; Baird noted that postponement could affect the district's ability to receive devices in time for the school year.