Discussion continues at NMPED and GMCS
Concern about a cover-up as a result of the Gallup McKinley County Schools’ numbers displayed on the New Mexico Environment Department Covid-19 Watchlist for Nov. 17 unleashed a torrent of phone calls from nervous parents, teachers and nurses, resulting in last week’s Gallup Sun story “GMCS superintendent under fire for COVID response.”
Since that story was published, Judy Robinson, the deputy director of communications with New Mexico Public Education Department, said the numbers for Twin Lakes Elementary for that date had been corrected to three cases and the number of rapid responses for Red Rock Elementary had been reported as one.
On Nov. 19 NMPED Secretary Ryan Stewart issued a statement in response to what the department termed “non-compliance with school reentry and COVID-19 safety guidelines.”
Stewart was quoted in the statement, “Regarding recent inquiries about Gallup McKinley County Schools, we are aware of the concerns about reporting and transparency and have issued a directive to the district to ensure adherence to PED guidance and rapid response protocols.
“We also understand that there are ongoing issues with regard to additional employee concerns,” Stewart said. “We are actively looking into these matters and will take any actions that become necessary to ensure that all health and safety protocols are followed, and that students and staff have a safe working and learning environment,”
The numbers showing on the Covid Watchlist for Nov. 17 were revised, as seen in the tables that appear with this story.
Gallup McKinley County Schools issued a press release calling for collaboration and support, not rumors and retaliation on Nov. 20.
In the release, GMCS said, “GMCS and its staff, along with all other educational institutions in New Mexico, have worked to comply with the New Mexico Department of Health’s guidelines and Public Health Orders and the Federal Center for Disease Control guidelines in trying to meet student’s safety and educational needs.
“In this difficult time, instead of support, GMCS has continued to see a complete disregard for legal authority of the School Board, as well as avoidance of and the supplanting of the New Mexico laws that govern education by the highest authority within the New Mexico Public Education Department.
“The communications delivered to public schools in New Mexico have been untimely, inflexible, and constantly changing during the pandemic. Many of Secretary Stewart’s unlawful directives have not served students well and have unnecessarily frustrated local communities, who have unique needs that are not being met,” the release continued.
“While we understand that the pandemic poses unique and new challenges for everyone, and that adjustments are needed, there has been a distinct avoidance by Secretary Stewart of seeking meaningful collaboration and learning from local New Mexico educational leaders. The lack of support and collaboration has resulted in many forms of discrimination and unfairness amongst various student populations across the State.
“The New Mexico Constitution mandates that students receive a uniform and sufficient education, even in challenging times,” the release stated.
“Rumors, social media posts and news articles can only go so far in helping people understand the issues and concerns a public school is facing. In order to better understand the needs of all New Mexico students, Secretary Stewart should have experienced the uniqueness of our districts first hand.
“A lack of understanding of policy, due process, and effective governance can create false narratives and hyperbolic accusations. The lack of physical presence by the Secretary, not only at our public schools districts, but also in [the] State of New Mexico, may be a cause for a lack of understanding of the needs of our staff and students,” the release said.
“GMCS has offered multiple invitations, and will continue to offer, NM PED leadership the opportunity to visit and witness our efforts in trying to keep students safe while providing an appropriate education during the pandemic. We have yet to see Secretary Stewart outside of online press conferences or online video conferences.”
Calls to GMCS were not returned by press time.
By Beth Blakeman
Associate Editor
