School on UNM-G campus seeks charter designation

Despite a rocky relationship between Gallup McKinley County Schools and Middle College High School, there’s a sunny spot that shines in the form of an A-grade for the Middle College.

The traditional school grading system is mandated by New Mexico Public Education Department, and started about seven years ago.

With an overall score of 75.85 percent, MCHS readily stomped on the C-grade it received the previous school year. Dr. Robert Hunter, Middle College CEO, found it difficult to swallow the C as they have a tradition of receiving brag-worthy report cards from the state each year.

As noted in past Gallup Sun reports, the school faced challenges and disagreements with the district this year, which ultimately ended with the revoking of its charter in 2019.

But, as for grades throughout the district as a whole, in the past five years in McKinley County, Crownpoint Elementary School and Twin Lakes Elementary School received the most Ds — five and four, respectively. Nearly 20 of the 35 GMCS schools listed in the sidebar of this story had no Fs over the five-year grading period.

Moreover, when it comes to New Mexico schools underperforming, the state capital of Santa Fe takes the cake.

The grades revealed that among the larger districts across the state, the Santa Fe Public Schools’ performance was most concerning, with a majority of D and F schools—56 percent D and F grades.

The districts of Farmington, Gadsden and Hobbs most improved over the past five years with very few schools earning failing grades.

Meanwhile, Hunter said MCHS has applied for a school charter from the state, but he doesn’t anticipate an answer back for about two years.

“The application is the first step,” he said.

Applications are due to the state education department by Oct. 1, and the Legislature will process the applications in December.

“The decision is made at that point, but we probably wouldn’t see any happen until the following year,” Hunter said.

In the meantime, MCHS reached a settlement agreement with GMCS that will allow the school to remain in operation for the school year.

The 14-page settlement agreement, which can be found on the GMCS website, includes a 53-page charter contract, a four-page corrective action plan, and an eight-page July 6 notice of intent to revoke charter.

The agreement allows MCHS, which operates on the campus of UNM-Gallup, to remain in operation through June 2019. At that time, the charter will end.

As for the school’s relationship with GMCS, Hunter said, “We’ve been attempting to work together.”

Mike Hyatt, superintendent of Gallup-McKinley County Schools, confirmed there is an agreement in place with MCHS.

“We signed an agreement to extend the relationship under a correction action plan until June 30, 2019,” Hyatt said. “I’m just glad that we could eventually come to an agreement. I wish we could have came to an agreement sooner.”

Gallup-Mckinley County Schools NMPED Grades

By Rick Abasta
Sun Correspondent

WINDOW ROCK — The Navajo Nation welcomed Autumn Montoya as the 2018-2019 queen when she was crowned Sept. 8 at the Fighting Scouts Event Center.

At the coronation ceremony, President Russell Begaye congratulated Montoya for earning the title of 2018-2019 Miss Navajo Nation, stating that he looks forward to her reign.

“We are looking forward to learning more about her platform and what she wants to achieve,” President Begaye said. “The Office of the President and Vice President will be there to help her accomplish those goals and dreams she has for the Nation.”

Begaye presented outgoing 2017-2018 Miss Navajo Crystal Littleben with an honorary Pendleton blanket for representing the Navajo Nation in a dignified manner during her reign.

“I’d like to congratulate Ms. Littleben for being an exemplary ambassador and for her distinguished service,” Begaye said. “We wish her well and know she will have a successful career.”

Begaye also congratulated Summer Jake and Kayla Martinez for earning first and second runner up, respectfully.

As Jake was announced as first runner up, Montoya became overwhelmed with emotion, knowing she would be crowned Miss Navajo. The joyfully tearful Miss Navajo thanked her family for instilling her with traditional teachings and Navajo customs.

“I’d like to thank my parents and grandparents for supporting and encouraging me. I love you all so much,” she said. “When I was dropped off on Sunday, I was all by myself. I had to carry myself forward and show my strength.”

Montoya thanked her fellow contestants, the Office of Miss Navajo and the OPVP. Begaye congratulated the Eastern Navajo Agency for having a contestant from their area chosen as the new Miss Navajo.

“I showed the strength of the Eastern Agency. Thank you to the people of the Eastern Agency. We did it,” Montoya said. “I’m so excited to be Miss Navajo Nation. I am going to be strong and resilient. I am eager to overcome any

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Health recommended Sept. 10 that certain persons who received any type of injection related service, including a vampire facial, at the VIP Spa, located at 809 Tijeras Avenue, NW Suite B, Albuquerque, visit the Midtown Public Health Office located at 2400 Wellesley Ave. NE in Albuquerque this week, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C lab testing and counseling.

“It is very important that anyone who received a vampire facial or other injection related service at the VIP Spa in May or June of 2018 come to the Midtown Public Health Office for free and confidential lab testing and counseling,” NMDOH Cabinet Secretary Lynn Gallagher said.

During an inspection of the VIP Spa by the NMDOH and the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Barbers and Cosmetologists Board Sept. 7, practices were identified at the spa that could potentially spread blood-borne infections such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C to clients.

The VIP Spa was issued a cease and desist letter by the Board, and closed immediately.  The inspection was undertaken because a client of the VIP Spa developed an infection that may have resulted from a procedure performed by the VIP Spa.

For questions about NMDOH free and confidential lab testing and counseling services for clients of the VIP Spa, contact the Midtown Public Health Office at (505) 670-8615 during regular business hours. After 5 pm or on weekends, contact (505) 827-0006.

By Bill Donovan

A Gallup man, wanted on multiple felony warrants, was arrested Aug. 30 at his residence on West Wilson Avenue.

Frederick Alan Lewis, 60, was arrested without incident.

The request for Lewis’s arrest came earlier that day from Joshua Lynn, a member of the Human Traffic Task Force within the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office. Lynn reported that Lewis should be regarded as “armed and dangerous.”

Lynn informed the police that Lewis, according to information that came from the state’s motor vehicle division, was residing at a house on West Wilson Avenue.

He currently has three outstanding felony warrants — human trafficking, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony. Lynn also told Gallup police that Lewis had “violent tendencies.”

Surveillance on the house began about 1:30 pm, and it was reported just after 10 pm, a man matching Lewis’s description was seen at the residence through the open front door.

Another man and woman were also seen at the residence.

Gallup Police Department Captain Marinda Spencer said surveillance continued throughout the night, and once a search warrant was granted the following morning, several police officers went to the residence at about 1:30 pm and made the arrest.

“He surrendered without incident,” she said.