Clovis schools approves portable building donation

CLOVIS — The Clovis Municipal Schools' board of education on Tuesday approved the donation of three portable buildings to Portales' public schools.

Superintendent Jody Balch said CMS has also recently donated other unused items to local school districts including cafeteria kitchen supplies given to Estancia Municipal School District and desks given to Grady Municipal Schools.

Other items unanimously approved to be removed from the district inventory included two lawnmowers to be auctioned, two organs and two speakers to be sold, two security camera systems to be returned to the city of Clovis and music equipment and other miscellaneous items to be donated or disposed of in the city landfill.

Also at Tuesday's meeting:

• The board unanimously approved a $3,517 petty cash request to provide meals for the Clovis High marching band during its trip to St. George, Utah, for the Bands of America Contest from Nov. 2-5.

• Cindy Osburn was chosen to be the next board of education secretary and was administered the oath of office.

• The board approved the procurement of services by new member Shawn Hamilton, co-owner of Hamilton Auto Group.

The group provides warranty work for the school's vehicles, which it began doing years before Hamilton's appointment to the board in September.

Hamilton was also selected to serve on the audit committee.

Mesa Elementary Principal Julie Howell presented an update on the school to the board.

Howell said the school compares favorably to other schools in the district, state and country with regards to reading and math, but remains at or below the district level for all grades in writing.

Howell said Mesa teachers have attended six different professional developments focused on writing this year, and writing is a major focus at the school.

Howell said Mesa's other focus area is improving family to school interaction.

To do this Mesa has four family event nights planned to provide extra communication to families in different subjects.

Howell said about 200 families attended the Family Math Night held Oct. 17, and the Family Literacy Night is scheduled for Dec. 9.