Meetings will address possible state budget cuts

The prospect of looming budget cuts by the Legislature has prompted Clovis Schools Superintendent Rhonda Seidenwurm to schedule a series of meetings with local and state officials.

Penny Bailey, communication specialist for the school district, said Seidenwurm will be meeting with government officials, business leaders and members of the ministerial alliance beginning Monday to give them a “heads up” and to begin planning if such a cut is made.

The meetings— not open to the public — are 2 p.m. Monday; and Thursday at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Clovis schools recently received a letter from Sens. Tim Jennings and John Arthur Smith telling New Mexico school districts to prepare for a 10 percent additional cut in state money.

In a letter to parents and community members on the district’s Web site, Seidenwurm said a cut that size would “devastate public education in Clovis and across New Mexico.”

The letter stated Seidenwurm will also hold public meetings to discuss how the cuts will affect the district after the tentatively-scheduled special legislative session later this month.

Visit www.clovis-schools.org for the complete letter and links to the letter from the senators.