East New Mexico News

The Clovis Municipal Schools Board of Education, at its regular meeting on April 23, 2024, approved the proposed 2024-2029 Facilities Master Plan (FMP) and recommendations. This approval marks the beginning of a journey to correct imbalances in elementary school populations and solidify the continued progress and improvement of the District, its services, programs and facilities.

"As the district moves forward in the process of implementing the recommendations approved by the board of education, we are committed to conducting these efforts transparently and with the engagement of our community. In keeping with this, we will continue to communicate and inform our families and community to the greatest extent possible as we progress."

"Much of the process to implement the recommendations stemming from the FMP has already been outlined and can be found online. We encourage our community to continue to refer to this resource as questions develop."

In the immediate future, the community can expect the following timeline to take place:

- Elementary Placement Letters: District personnel are currently working to institute the new elementary school zones as approved by the Board of Education.

- Cameo students will be rezoned to neighboring campuses, with approximately 120 to Sandia, 85 to Arts Academy, and 50 to James Bickley.

- Lockwood students will also be rezoned to neighboring campuses, with approximately 120 students from the English program to La Casita, 100 students from the Bilingual program to La Casita, and 120 to Parkview.

- After the finalization of each student's placement, families will receive a letter informing them of their student’s school placement for the next year.

"House Days" are scheduled for May 14, where District elementary schools will celebrate an event known as “House Day,” introducing and welcoming students to their new campus and allowing them to meet the members of their new house.

Facility work is set to begin in May, with Lockwood and Cameo elementary campuses being shuttered at the end of the 2023-2024 school year. Lockwood renovations will start immediately to convert the facility into an appropriate environment for the instruction and care of children under the age of 5. Cameo will be prepared over the summer break for use by Student Support Services, temporarily relocating to the retired campus until 2025-2026.

"Implementing the recommendations resulting from the Facilities Master Plan is a complex and multifaceted task – aspects of which will take place over months and in some cases years – and we do so with our students and staff in mind. We are working diligently to partner with our families and community, plan in such a way as to ease transitions and to embrace the future with enthusiasm."

"As developments take place, timelines are tuned, and significant markers in the process emerge, we will continue to communicate and find opportunities to engage our families. We encourage our community to watch for updates as we move forward."