Clovis Municipal School District

Education feature: School district building projects coming closer to construction
By Liliana Castillo: CNJ staff writer

Schools in Clovis are slowly getting closer to seeing “hammer and nail” construction across the district.

Deputy Superintendent of Operations Joel Shirley and a team of architects visited James Bickley Elementary School Wednesday to talk to faculty and staff about what the renovation process will mean to them.

James Bickley is one of six schools in the district that will undergo construction between now and 2013.

A new middle school will also be built by 2013. Wilson and Company Senior Project Manager Janet Lacy walked the teachers through a list of 30 things that will be updated, renovated or added at the school.

Shirley said preliminary presentations will take place at each of the major renovation locations such as Marshall Middle School and Lockwood Elementary School.... Learn More [+]

Clovis Municipal Schools Capital Outlay Projects

Arts Academy at Bella Vista

Renovations throughout.
Addition of a performing arts center, and 11 classroom additions.
Construction begins October 2010.
Completion scheduled for August 2012.

James Bickley Elementary School

Renovations throughout.
Addition of three kindergarten classrooms.
District is at the start of the design phase.
Design to be completed in March 2011 with construction to follow.
Anticipated completion is July 2013.

La Casita Elementary School

Renovations throughout and a nine-classroom addition to replace portables.
Addition of a physical education facility.
Construction would begin in June 2010.
Completion scheduled for January 2012.

Lockwood Elementary School

Renovations throughout and the addition of four kindergarten classrooms.
District is early in the design phase.
Design to be completed in February 2011 with construction to follow.
Anticipated completion is July 2013.

Marshall Middle School

Renovations primarily in the north building.
Renovation of all bathroom facilities to meet ADA compliance standards.
Replacement of the special education facility.
Construction to begin June 2010.
Completion scheduled for August 2012.

Zia Elementary School

Roof replacement, HVAC, and day lighting.
Project would begin Spring 2010 for scheduled completion January 2011.

New Middle School

Design for a new middle school.
Phase I includes core areas for 900 students with classrooms for 450 students.
Phase II would complete the facility to accommodate 900 students.
Completion scheduled for April 2013.

Source: Education Feature: School district building projects coming closer to construction
By Liliana Castillo: CNJ staff

Harlan will be missed
Lora Harlan, who has served CMS as our District Three (3) board member for over 19 years, resigned her position, effective May 28th. Lora is the board member who most often challenges our thinking in ways that cause us to really examine our position on issues, and thus helps us arrive at better decisions. Without fail, she has done so in a professional manner, always respecting the difference in the roles and responsibilities of board members and superintendent.

Lora has not only served with distinction in our district, but in the State of New Mexico. She has been very active in the New Mexico School Boards Association for most of her career, and recently served that organization as its president." Lora's greatest legacy, I believe, is her advocacy for children. If I, or the Board, ever forget to keep children first, Lora gently brings us back to our purpose for being here. We shall miss her greatly; and though our kids don't know her, they will miss her, as well."stated by Rhonda Seidenwurm.

The Clovis Municipal Schools board of education decided Tuesday to continue searching for the next superintendent. The decision came after an hour-and-half executive session at Cameo Elementary. The board said they will continue to “aggressively search for the position of superintendent of schools during the next three months.”

President Mark Lansford said the board is not comfortable making a decision at this time. “We’re going to look at options, which could include looking at an outside search firm and retracing our steps,” Lansford said, and wouldn’t give a more specific reason why the board didn’t chose a successor, citing privacy concerns. Current Clovis superintendent Rhonda Seidenwurm announced in January that this would be her last year with the district after five years.

The Board of Education invites public input on the qualifications of a new Superintendent. Superintendent Qualifications/Public Input will be an agenda item at the Board's regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, February 23rd, 5:30 PM, in the Administration Office Board Room. The Board welcomes your input

Dear Staff and Community,
It is with mixed emotions that I’m letting you know that this will be my last year as Superintendent of Schools in Clovis, and that I will not be serving the 2010-2011 year of my contract. My husband, Jerry, and I will be leaving at the end of June 2010. There are two primary reasons for my decision – one professional and one personal...... CLICK HERE FOR FULL LETTER

Dear Staff, Parents, and Community Members,
On Tuesday, November 3rd, the Clovis Municipal Schools’ (CMS) Board of Education met in a special meeting to discuss and consider ways to reduce the current budget by $600,000. The reductions were necessary due to cuts made to education in the legislative Special Session this past October.

The administration recommended, and the Board approved unanimously, the cuts listed below. In addition, the Board unanimously approved reductions in next year’s budget (2010-2011) of approximately $500,000. CMS has made every effort to cut positions and services that do not directly impact students. However, classrooms and students will be affected if further cuts occur.

Please encourage our legislators to take whatever action is necessary to restore the funding cuts that have been made to education........CLICK HERE TO VIEW CUTS

Rhonda Seidenwurm, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools