Philly Cheese Comes to TMS

TMS, like the Town, County, and Coop, has the “building bug.” They may not educate or graduate the big numbers when it comes to local students but they continue to build and acquire property for more construction—even as enrollment steadily declines. Here’s a more basic question: Three years after passing a school bond for improvements to athletic and academic facilities, will TMS provide 21st Century restrooms with running water and modern sewage facilities for the public at the new football field? We’re only asking.

First Day of School

By Lorraine Coca-Ruiz

The Enos Garcia Elementary School looked like a disaster area for kids going back to school. Parents were dropping off their children but there was no place to park. I don’t see how the students can concentrate with all the construction going on.

Special Education records were scattered around at the Taos Elementary cafeteria. Sensitive Medicaid material was exposed to wandering eyes.

“Off the Record”

Some teachers are saying that board member Thomas Tafoya and Superintendent Rod Weston are canceling the 1.5 salary decrease in wages for teachers. Salaries were cut due to last year’s budget but the first batch of checks showed major discrepancies.

My question is “where is this (extra) money coming from?” The “Chuby” Plan pink-slipped 37 employees. Seven had the option to re-apply for their teaching positions. But a ” math teacher” and a “woodshop teacher” from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania made the grade while local teachers didn’t. Either New Mexico doesn’t have math or woodshop teachers or the superintendent decided to bring on his buddies from his hometown. (Maybe they, too, will make their second homes at Angel Fire, Colfax County, NM.)

Superintendent Rod Weston issued a verbal gag order at a teacher’s orientation: Don’t give out any information to the public. What is done and said at TMS stays at TMS.

Last school year many teachers told me that they are afraid to speak frankly to parents. They’re afraid of being disciplined or even fired for “insubordination.” They say things like, “I just have a few more years to go to retirement. I can’t afford to get into trouble.” The employees that spoke with me tended to speak carefully almost as if the walls had ears and spies lurked around corners.

Some teachers agreed to talk with me if we met outside of the classroom. Out of 46 teachers at the high school, ten teach extra electives and have only one prep period. The other 36 teachers have two prep periods. How fair is that? Superintendent Weston, THS Principal Litke, and Director of Instruction Rose Martinez are paid the big bucks to make it fair for all teachers.

“Morale is as bad as I’ve ever seen it in my career,” said a confidential source.

Muddle and Mess

Overall, the schools’ results are a muddled mess. Programs are pulled in every direction: There is no sense of focus or common ground, no basic core curriculum.

Some teachers had concerns with the block scheduling. Some teachers will embrace new ideas while others will be “more resistant.” A confidential source said that some teachers have good ideas. Those ideas should be “shared.” She acknowledged that the district could “do a better job” of developing a “feedback loops” as a way for teachers to communicate with a principal, “who is very hard to find.”

By the way at that teacher’s orientation a representative from Centinel Bank gave a talk about investments (to folks who live paycheck to paycheck).  My question is why weren’t the other two banks’ (Peoples Bank and US Bank) representatives invited?

I’ll be watching