School board says it’s staying local to save money

February 11, 2010

A week ago the Belen Consolidated Schools Board of Education held a board retreat to talk about Superintendent Patricia Rael’s goals and objectives.

Instead of retreating in a winter lodge or fancy hotel, the board decided to keep their retreat local, for the second time in a row holding a retreat at the 13th Judicial District Courthouse in Los Lunas.

“We had it at my office at the courthouse there in Los Lunas, and the reason we did that is because, as you guys have heard time and time again, money is short,” said Board President Jamie Goldberg.

He said the shortfall puts employees’ jobs at risk, so he and the other board members have used the free space at the courthouse to save money they can put back into the general fund and employees’ salaries.

“It doesn’t cost anything to have a retreat there,” he said.

He said most school boards hold their retreats in resort towns and hotel conference rooms, costing districts thousands of dollars.

“In times of need we wanted to make sure we’re leading by example,” he said. “We’re going to continue to save as much as we can.”

Saving even down to the smallest penny, Goldberg explained, saying Rael paid for the refreshments out of her own pocket.

Goldberg has consistently voted against out-of-state travel for employees, saying the budget woes don’t allow it. Board Member Julian Luna also has voted against it at times for the same reason.

“We’ll keep working to ensure this district stays on course, has the best budget, and at the end of the day, ensure our kids have the best education possible. That’s our commitment to the district,” Luna said.

All of the board members, however, have decided not to attend their annual national school board conference this year, instead getting their mandatory training credits in-state.

“It’s not a political thing. It’s not an individual thing. It’s a group effort to ensure the jobs of this district and ensure the kids get the best quality education that they can,” Goldberg said.

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