It didn’t take long for the Rio Rancho Public Schools Board of Education to take care of its short agenda Monday evening.
Lacking only board President Amanda Galbraith, the board voted 4-0 to approve the second readings of Policy 710 (Reporting Child Abuse, Neglect and Ethical Misconduct), Policy 720 (Qualifications for Employees) and Policy 728 (Background Investigations), the board approved a bump of $10 to the student parking fee.
Because Policy 622 requires board action for any fees above $20, and the student parking fee is to be $50 — after school principals requested the increase to address safety and security issues – it required board action, and another 4-0 vote approved the increase.
It’s the first increase in student parking fees in more than 12 years, said Carl Leppelman.
Those issues include repairs to the security department’s golf carts; expenses for radio communications; money to repair, replace and upgrade cameras; replacing and/or improving signage; costs to print parking passes; and the purchasing equipment, such as flashlights and vests.
The board also OK’d its contract with Southwest Food Excellence (SFE) and the prices for student meals: elementary breakfast ($1.45), secondary breakfast ($1.70), elementary lunch ($2.85) and secondary lunch ($3). Adults – staff members – will be charged $3.89 for meals at both levels.
The federal government and State of New Mexico, per House Bill 10, will pay for students who qualify for free and reduced meal fees, although parents need to register, if qualified, to get those free meals for their students.
School starts soon: Secondary students head to class Friday, Aug. 5, and elementary students begin the school year three days later, on Monday, Aug. 8.
The school board’s next regular meeting is set for Aug. 8 at 5:30 p.m.
