Alamogordo NM
10-17-2026 10:56am

Tularosa school board tables policy revisions, approves Head Start agreement and equipment storage donation

TULAROSA — The Tularosa Municipal Schools Board of Education on Wednesday, Oct. 14, put off action on three policy revisions tied to updated federal law, saying board members and the public need more time to review the proposed changes.

The board also approved an updated agreement with HELP New Mexico Head Start and accepted a community member's donation of a storage container to protect athletic equipment after thefts at the district's baseball and softball complex.

Policy revisions tabled

The superintendent recommended tabling three agenda items, including Policy Advisory No. 279, Commitment to Religious Neutrality. The New Mexico School Boards Association (NMSBA) Policy Service had recommended revisions to the three policies based on updated federal laws.

The superintendent said the recommended changes were redlined and attached to the agenda. "Just to ensure that you guys have time to really read over the proposed revisions, and to give time for public comment, I recommend tabling these three items for the next board meeting," the superintendent said.

Asked whether the changes would appear in student handbooks, the superintendent said the district's existing policies posted online would be updated. Any handbook language that conflicts with the revisions would also have to be changed. The board voted to table the items until its next meeting.

Head Start agreement updated

The board approved an updated memorandum of understanding with HELP New Mexico Head Start. The revision adds transportation to the agreement. HELP New Mexico now provides after-school supervision for students who need it.

The agreement also covers the district's half-day 3-year-old students, who will be transported to HELP New Mexico when their half-day program ends. The organization serves children ages 3 to 12, including kindergarten through fifth grade. The superintendent said the agreement carries no financial terms; it sets out who is responsible for enrollment and transportation.

Storage container donated after thefts

The board accepted a community member's offer to donate a concrete pad and a C-can storage container at the baseball and softball complex. The superintendent said the area has had thefts and that equipment kept there includes a costly pitching machine.

The container would sit between the pitching cage and the existing concession stand and serve both baseball and softball. One board member noted that teams now haul equipment back and forth each day to keep it from being stolen. Board members asked that the container be painted within the next year to match existing structures at the complex.

Routine business

The board approved the meeting agenda, the minutes of its Sept. 9 meeting and the September 2026 check register. No opposing votes were heard on any item.

Attendance up across campuses

In the superintendent's report, district schools reported gains in attendance and family engagement through the first nine weeks.

Tularosa Intermediate School raised its attendance rate from 90.8% last year to 93%. The school has set up a process to reach students who miss school regularly and will have its houses compete for the best attendance. The superintendent credited the school's Native American liaison with communicating with parents and getting students to class. The state Public Education Department's Safe and Healthy Schools Bureau has approved the school's attendance improvement plan.

TIS hosted Tularosa Middle School's STEAM Night, which drew more than 100 parents and family members. The school is also launching a student leadership group called Wildcat ROAR, focused on anti-bullying, conflict resolution and respect for others.

Tularosa High School reported 92% attendance overall for the first nine weeks, with seniors posting a personal-best 98%. Last week the school topped its 95% attendance goal. Reported incidents dropped from 24 in September to nine so far in October.

Sophomores took the PSAT last week. Because the high school runs on a block schedule, students are already taking middle-of-the-year math and English language arts assessments, with the STAR test to follow in November. Counselor Mrs. Coleman has met with every senior for credit checks and post-high-school planning.

The superintendent also noted a problem with senior portraits from Lifetouch. The company is working with each parent who reaches out to fix it.

Tularosa Middle School completed 127 parent-teacher conferences, which the superintendent called a record. Staff are working through 90-day improvement plans in English language arts and math, using assessment data to guide reteaching and intervention. A new Choices Matter program uses lunch detention to teach responsibility, decision-making and self-control.

Tularosa Elementary School is partnering with the high school's Educators Rising class, which places high school students in classrooms and sends them to read to younger students monthly. Middle school leadership students are mentoring kindergartners and first graders at lunch on skills like taking turns and following directions. This month, students caught doing something kind can earn "Be Boo-tiful" tickets, with prize drawings on Thursdays.

Student programs

  • The FFA chapter heads to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis next week.
  • Mr. Buckland's IT and publications class is building a student television network and hopes to have a show running within weeks.
  • The high school's cultural dance group has performed at TMS, TIS and the Tularosa Senior Citizen Center.
  • Kelly King Morgan's Native American group is seeking applicants for its Native American royalty pageant and will honor this year's royalty at a family banquet.

Athletics

Football has begun district play and was scheduled to host Capitan on Friday, Oct. 16, for Senior Night. Volleyball hosted Hatch on Oct. 15 and opens district play against Dexter on Tuesday, Oct. 20. Middle school volleyball and football have wrapped up their seasons. Middle school basketball begins Nov. 2, and high school basketball begins Nov. 16.

Construction milestone set

The district has set Thursday, Nov. 5, for a topping-out ceremony on its construction project, marking placement of the final beam on the structure. The construction company plans a cookout and will invite the village and other dignitaries. The time has not been announced; the superintendent said more information will follow. The board plans to post a notice of a possible quorum for the event.

Other business

It’s  reported that staff finished training on the district's new cloud-based business system, which rolls out next week. School secretaries are already entering requisitions in it, cutting down on paper. She said the district has met twice in recent weeks with its food service provider and that the transition is going smoothly.

Board members discussed attending the NMSBA annual conference Dec. 3–5 in Albuquerque. Members also noted that NMSBA now offers online options for completing required board training hours.

Upcoming dates

  • Oct. 29, 5:30–7 p.m. — Districtwide Fall Festival at Tularosa High School
  • Nov. 5 — Construction topping-out ceremony (time to be announced)
  • Nov. 11, 11:30 a.m. — Veterans Day assembly at Tularosa High School; the public is welcome
  • Nov. 11, 4:30 p.m. — Next regular school board meeting
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