School Board Meeting August 16, 2011

About 40 people showed up for tonight's meeting, even after the extensive robo-calling that the Heart of Dreams (aka Buckhorn Renovation) owners would not be attending. In fact, the owners did send a statement to the school late today, and superintendent Hancock read the statement during the Visitor's section of the meeting. (the podcast is posted at http://cmsbears.podbean.com, the statement is also carried on the school's website under the "superintendent's corner." Bottom line, the owners say they have decided not to open their center in Cloudcroft, a statement which was met with applause.

Mr. Snoddy gave a powerpoint presentation on AYP. I will post a copy of the presentation when I receive it.

There was also discussion about the school upgrading its sound system and making other investments in electronics, with E-Rate funding covering 84% of the $800,000 cost.

During the Superintendent's discussion, Mr. Hancock said that the school had been able to hire everyone back, with the exception of the former transportation director, since enrollment had increased by 11 students since the end of the last school year.

Buckhorn Renovation Speaker Cancels (Updated)

There will still be a school board meeting tonight, but my understanding is that the Buckhorn Renovation will not be addressed and the owner of the Heart of Dreams will not attend the meeting.

Here is the article about tonight's meeting that appeared in the Alamogordo Daily News.

Brochure for "Buckhorn Renovation"

Here is the brochure for the Heart of Dreams facility planned for the old Buckhorn cabins, across the street from the High School. I learned of the brochure from the Adult Probation and Parole folks down in Alamogordo.

School Board Meeting Scheduled for Tuesday, August 16

Here is the agenda for the next school board meeting.

The "Buckhorn Renovation Project," found under "Information" should be a presentation by Mr. John Baldonado, who is renovating the cabins (which are located directly across the street from the High School) to turn them into a "Counseling and Clinic Services" live-in facility called "Heart of Dreams." He is also the owner of Canyon Light Counseling, in Alamogordo. To see more information on Mr. Baldonado, visit www.canyonlightcounseling.com. My understanding is that the department of corrections and the judicial branch refer folks to Canyon Light for counseling on things like sex offenses, substance abuse, anger management, and mental health issues. (When the DOC and judicial branch are referring people, that generally means they are on parole or probation.) It is not clear to me what a live-in facility like Heart of Dreams will mean. In the world of parole and probation, a live-in facility that offers learning and life skills, but where the residents are free to come and go, is called a "halfway house." People are generally paroled there after their stay in prison so they can learn to adjust to society, gain life skills, seek employment, and get counseling for the problems that got them into trouble in the first place. (Did I mention that this is directly across the street from the High School?)

I spoke with Dave Venable today and asked about the facility. I didn't get a lot of information, other than the fact that they will be paying a lodger's tax. Dave said the facility was zoned as a rental facility or hotel or motel. He could not say how long folks would be staying at the Heart of Dreams, nor could he say where they were being employed. He said the facility was to provide "learning skills." My understanding is Heart of Dreams got a variance this week to put a fence around the facility. (Speaking of fences, how do you like that razor wire job around the lift station?)