RRPS signs up for policy review service

Goal is to keep district up to date

Rio Rancho Public Schools has signed on for a policy review service offered by the New Mexico School Boards Association, a program designed to save the district time and keep it up to date.

During its Sept. 12 meeting, the board of education voted 3-1 to join for the next four years at a cost of $385 per month, plus an initial $1,500 for the assessor’s travel costs and materials.

Board President Don Schlichte said he thinks the district is making a good investment.

“In the long run, it seems like to me that it’ll be a time saver,” he said. “We don’t have to worry that years go by and we haven’t reviewed policy.”

NMSBA will look through the district’s policies, and ensure that they comply with state and federal statutes, agency regulations and attorney general opinions. The service is run by a New Mexico attorney with over 25 years of policy-writing experience.

More than 60 school districts are currently taking part, including Albuquerque, Gallup, Española, Socorro, Carlsbad and Taos.

RRPS Superintendent Sue Cleveland said she thinks NMSBA will provide valuable input that will help administrators.

Board member Ramon Montaño cast the lone “no” vote, citing concern about the cost, which adds up to almost $5,000 annually.

He argued for the board to approve the service, but budget it for next year.

“We keep saying we have to save money,” Montaño said.

Schlichte countered that the cost is a very small part of the district’s $110 million total budget.