Early college program more than doubles

CLOVIS — Clovis Municipal Board of Education members received positive news on a collaboration still in its infancy, the Clovis Early College High School program, during its Tuesday meeting.

Melissa Winn, a CHS counselor who oversees the program, reported the program more than doubled in its second year, with 146 students enrolled compared to 65 in 2019-20. The population is 93 female and 53 male, which runs close to CCC’s demographics of 70% female.

The program includes 56 students, or 38% of participants, who are first-generation college students. It is available to incoming sophomores or juniors who have completed at least English I, Algebra I, U.S. history and one lab science.

Students receive college and high school credit in the classes offered at Clovis Community College, and with enough work can be part of a high school and college graduation within a few weeks of each other. The program waives tuition fees through the Dual Credit program, and CHS covers textbooks and most course fees.

The CECHS offers nearly a dozen different education programs, with many students opting for computer information systems work. Winn also noted three students who entered the allied health program will have nursing degrees at age 19.

“CCC has really embraced us,” Winn said. “Dr. Kuykendall (Robin, CCC extended learning director and occupation technology chair) has made sure of that. They’ve hired an academic coach just for early college.”

Winn also credited the CMS administration, noting the cabinet has been supportive in the CECHS efforts.

Kuykendall, who also joined the virtual meeting, credited Winn for her work and the district for allowing kids to not all fit in the same boxes in education.

The board also received a report of a successful bond sale from earlier in the month. Regina Gaysina of RBC Capital Markets told the board the $5 million sale was closed Oct. 7.

The bond money will cover the following, according to Deputy Director of Operations John King:

• Clovis High School: Fencing/gates, cameras, doors/windows; Building G roofing and HVAC replacement

• Floor polishing at CHS, Yucca MIddle School and Sandia and Zia elementaries

• Furniture at CHS, Marshall and Yucca middle schools, the iAcademy, and Barry, Mesa, Sandia and Zia elementaries

• Windows and doors at CHS Freshman Academy and Marshall and Yucca middle schools

• Playground upgrades at La Casita Elementary

In other items discussed at the Tuesday meeting:

• Carrie Nigreville, the district’s executive director of strategic planning and school support, reported making weekly visits to partner schools in its Clovis Leadership Initiative.

“It is wonderful to see school happening,” Nigreville said, “even with all of the challenges we are facing.”

• The district anticipates having 3,449 students enrolled in the K-5 Plus program in 2021-22. The district was originally slated to start the program this year, but bowed out given numerous concerns largely related to the pandemic.

• The next meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Nov. 17.