Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
CLOVIS — COVID vaccines are rolling out faster than ever, but the Clovis Municipal Schools district is still not sure if it will require masks for the 2021-2022 school year.
The subject was not on the school board’s agenda for the May 25 meeting, but when a parent Josh Parkin called in to ask what the school would be doing, Superintendent Renee Russ addressed the issue.
“I believe these masks aren’t helping our kids at all,” Parkin said. “I believe it’s just to make people do something. It’s a compliance thing.
“My daughter comes home complaining of breathing problems and having panic attacks when she’s running track. Where do we draw the line where the masks are causing more harm than good?” Parkin asked.
Russ said the district has to follow the New Mexico Public Education Department’s guidelines.
“There’s not yet been specific information given to us for next year; that is not under creation right now,” Russ said. “Last year this time they were already putting together the re-entrance guidance for this current school year. So, I take that as an optimistic sign that these restrictions and requirements will be lessening, but at this time we don’t have specific information.”
Also during the meeting, Deputy Superintendent of Finance Shawna Russell gave a presentation on the district’s 2021-2022 budget.
The board approved the renewal of the district’s transportation contract with Adair. Inc. The upcoming year’s contract is for a little over $1.7 million, and it will start on Sept. 16. Russell said the district will pay the amount in eight separate installments.
This is a decrease from about $2 million the district was paying last year. In her report Russell stated it is the second year the transportation budget has seen a decrease, but that Adair Inc. is continuing to accept it at the moment.
The district is also continuing its contract with Carr, Riggs & Ingram for auditing purposes for the second year. It will pay the firm over $56,000 for auditing services. Russell estimated this year’s audit would be done by Nov. 15.
Russell then began discussing teacher salaries. State law requires a teacher’s salary to be a minimum of $41,000. In 2020 the average classroom teacher at CMS made $55,486. Russell said that in 2021 that average had increased to $56,409.
The board approved Russell’s financial report, including the transportation and auditing firm contracts and the teacher salary increase.
