The new school year has begun for Gallup-McKinley County School District students, and this school looks a little different than last year.
During the Aug. 23 school board meeting, the district’s Superintendent Michael Hyatt told the board that the district ended last school year with about 25 percent of its students doing in-person learning. At the beginning of this year, about 90 percent of students are returning to campus.
“We’re very pleased with what’s taken place so far, given [that] we went from a school year where there was very little in-person learning happening, to a start of a school year where we have a lot of students back on campus,” Hyatt said. “The transition hasn’t been perfect, but it has been better than expected.”
Hyatt explained that the district doesn’t have the numbers completely figured out yet on how many students chose to come back to GMCS this school year, but he is expecting to have those numbers soon.
“There are a lot of options for students in receiving their education and people are choosing different things for their children, so I’m sure we’ll have some decrease,” Hyatt said. “But I know that overall we’re very pleased with the number of students that have come back.”
He noted that part of that success can be credited to the GMCS staff.
“The staff have been tremendous … as far as working with [students] and helping them come back to school and feel comfortable that they’re coming back to a safe environment,” Hyatt said.
He went on to explain the COVID-19 regulations that will be in place this year in accordance with the governor’s mask mandate put in place Aug. 20.
Anyone on school premises will be required to wear a mask when they’re indoors. This mandate will also include indoor sporting events. Athletes will also be expected to follow the mask regulation while they’re competing and practicing.
Masks are not required outdoors, according to the New Mexico Public Education Department and the New Mexico Athletic Association.
Right now, the district is not requiring vaccines. However, Hyatt did report that most of the district’s staff is vaccinated, and about 50 percent of eligible students are also vaccinated.
By: Molly Howell
Sun Correspondent
