Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
PORTALES — In what was a relatively brief meeting for the Portales Municipal Schools Board of Education, Superintendent Johnnie Cain admitted he hadn’t compiled much of a report.
“I don’t know if there’s nothing to report or there’s too much to report and I don’t know what to write,” said Cain, who was waiting on an almost certainty of new state public health restrictions with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cain said teachers were working hard, but reports from principals indicate it’s becoming more difficult to keep the kids engaged in virtual learning.
“It’s not because our teachers aren’t trying,” Cain said. “They’re putting together lessons to get these kids.”
Administrators largely echoed those same points during the 40-minute meeting, with Portales High School Principal Arturo Ontiveros noting teachers have done various spirit activities with homecoming removed from the fall calendar, but they were seeing attendance and attention problems as well.
“The parents are just as frustrated as we are,” Ontiveros said. “The kids are bucking them as well. It’s a constant battle.”
Cain said the district has been able to avoid problems with people and sick time for the most part, and it’s mainly being used by people who can’t work from home or are working from home and feeling too sick to perform their job.
Staff reports various levels of COVID-19, from some who never display symptoms to those who find themselves severely impacted. District Finance Director Sarah Stubbs acknowledged her home went through infections and said she was cleared to return to work Tuesday. Stubbs said she was able to attend many virtual seminars, but added the virus took a toll on her physically and, “this thing is no joke.”
In other business at the meeting:
• Teacher Patricia Cain was honored for an October award from as one of the nation’s 2020 Community Food Champions by the National Farm to School Network.
Cain was given the $500 award for her work on the James Elementary School Community Garden. The garden started with six beds, and has grown to 24. The garden helps kids see a plant’s process, from seed to crop to food.
Cain, who is married to Superintendent Johnnie Cain, credited volunteers throughout the school and the community.
“We have a lot of help,” Cain said. “We have community partners who pitch in and donate. I just play in the dirt.”
• The board approved a deed alteration at its district maintenance building. Cain said the deed needed to be cleaned up to clear the way for a private sale of a lot that was adjacent to the building.
• The board approved a list of assets for disposal and auction. One items was a recently purchased copier. Stubbs said an issue was determined by the supplier to be an issue under warranty and replaced it, but the district still had to document it as inventory.
• Food Services Director Shaunna Smith said she was working on donating various food items to local charities when those foods couldn’t work in the grab and go meals.
• The district approved applications for two grants totaling about $166,600. The bulk of the money comes from the state’s CARES Act money, with the $100,540 dedicated to securing Internet access for families.
• Based on a recommendation from Cain, the board approved a policy change to align the district’s eligibility criteria with the current criteria of the New Mexico Activities Association.
• J.D. Mead, who oversees the school’s eSports program, said the teams have competed against Arizona teams and are planning for matches against Tennessee teams.
• The next meeting is scheduled for Dec. 10.