Distance learning truancy discussed by board

GRANTS - The Grants/Cibola County School Board heard a presentation by Ric Horacek, Director of Secondary Support Services, on progress with distance learning courses at the two district high schools. Distance learning is part of dual enrollment agreements the district has made with New Mexico State University-Grants, Eastern New Mexico University and CNM.

“We have television classes at both high schools now and ENMU is now offering seven classes to our students,” Horacek said. “We have 22 students now engaged in these courses.”

Current courses available via distance learning include: Introduction to Financial Planning, Introduction to Business, Basic Computer Skills, Theatre Appreciation, Interpersonal Communications and Interpersonal Communications Laboratory.

Horacek predicted a much larger selection of courses next year, citing new equipment at both high schools.

Daniel Gonzales, manager of the Iron Skillet Restaurant, was given an award for his generosity in hosting honor students from Los Alamitos Middle School at their annual honors luncheon. Superintendent Kilino Marquez thanked Gonzales for his year-round help in supporting education in the county.

Joanna Pena, truancy liaison for the district, updated the board on the efficiency of current anti-truancy measures undertaken by her office. She reported that the current system requires that a notification and attendance record be sent to the parent following three days of unexcused absences. The same documents and a letter setting the date for a truancy conference will be sent after five days of unexcused absences. At the truancy conference the parents and child will be placed on a 30-day attendance contract.

Failure to attend the conference could lead to the filing of a legal petition with the District Attorney's office. The school will allow one reschedule of the truancy conference, but if the child and or parents fail to appear, all documentation will be sent to the Juvenile Probation and Parole Office for investigation by the District Attorney's office.

Pena pointed out that another conference would be scheduled if the parents or child fail to comply with the attendance contract and the parents and child will be placed on an intensive attendance contract for the remainder of the school year.

If the student or parents violate the intensive contract or accrue ten days of unexcused absences, the matter will be referred to the District Attorney's office and Protective Services in the Children, Youth and Families Department.

Pena stressed that reasons for truancy vary and that she schedules many meetings with families to determine the cause of the problem. “We had 100 hearings last semester, which is more than double the number for the previous semester,” she said.

School Board President Dion Sandoval asked Pena to visit with the Acoma governor to explain the program to him.

Following an executive session, the board voted to extend the contract of Superintendent Kilino Marquez for one year with no raise in salary until the board sees what the state legislature accomplishes in terms of education funding.

Sandoval said that he was very pleased with the direction the district was taking under Marquez's leadership.

The next meeting of the school board will be held Feb. 17 at 5:30 p.m. in the boardroom.

The district will be closed Feb. 16 in observance of President's Day.