School board joins in honoring teen

CLOVIS — Less than a week after Clovis High School Air Force Junior ROTC student Isaiah Hatfield was recognized at the Clovis city commission for his life-saving efforts over Christmas break, he was honored again at Tuesday’s Clovis Municipal Schools Board of Education meeting.

“We’re calling this I love Isaiah month, and rightly so,” CHS AFJROTC instructor Maj. Lawrence Alan Fields said.

Hatfield described to the board the December incident when after hearing his father call 911, Hatfield performed CPR on his stepmother until first responders arrived.

“The emergency responders, as verified by the fire chief, have said that his actions saved her life,” Fields said.

Board Vice-President Terry Martin asked Hatfield whether the student ever thought he would put to use the skills he learned in the Teen Community Emergency Response Training course Hatfield had taken just a month earlier.

“Not really, honestly,” Hatfield said. “You go through all the training and you never think really it’s going to happen, but I’m just glad I got the training.”

“We want to thank God that you were listening in the class, we want to thank God that you saved your stepmom and thank God for your training from Clovis schools,” Martin said.

Also at Tuesday’s board meeting:

• Following an executive session, the board announced Superintendent Jody Balch’s contract was extended one year through June 30, 2020. Board member Kyle Snider said Balch requested no additional compensation but in the event the Legislature approves a salary increase for teachers, the board agreed Balch should receive the same increase.

• Deputy Superintendent of Operations Carrie Bunce provided an update on the various construction projects underway district-wide. Bunce said construction on the new Parkview Elementary is about 60 percent complete and the design of the new Highland Elementary is about 90 percent complete.

“Parkview, it’s amazing,” Snider said. “I’m excited for the first day of school to see what the kids think because it is amazing.”

• CHS Freshman Academy Principal John Howell provided an update on the school.

Howell said the school received a B grade last year, “but we are not satisfied.”

Board members praised Howell for his leadership and communication skills.

“My wife works there as well and the communication you have with your staff there, I appreciate that because she always says that any time she needs anything your door is always open, and to me that means a lot,” Board President Paul Cordova said.

•Jaramillo Accounting Group Managing Partner Audrey Jaramillo discussed the results of the district’s 2016-17 audit.

“You guys are doing great,” Jaramillo said.

The audit shows the district currently has about $34 million in and the audit included six findings, which Jarmillio said was low.

• The board unanimously approved an application for Impact Aid, a federal program that benefits school districts with military bases within its boundaries.

• The board unanimously approved a revision to the management and administration salary schedule to account for the hiring of an assistant principal at Lincoln Jackson Family Center.

• The board unanimously decided to use the same questions from last year’s Board of Education Quality of Education Survey.

• The board unanimously approved a travel request for Clovis FFA to attend the New Mexico Leadership Conference and Junior Contest in Albuquerque from Feb. 2 to Feb. 4.

• The board unanimously approved the removal of the four vehicles from the district inventory to be auctioned.