Board keeps individual professional development allocations rather than joining CUBE

The board voted to allocate its 2026–27 professional development budget under Option 1, which keeps funds as individual allocations for board members rather than paying a $15,000 membership fee to the National School Boards Association Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE).

Executive director Daniel Manzano presented two options: Option 1 would divide the available funds equally among the seven board members (approximately $4,000 each); Option 2 would pay $15,000 for CUBE membership and place the remaining $13,000 in a shared pool to cover registration and travel for CUBE‑related conferences. Board members debated tradeoffs: several said individual flexibility matters for their governance development and noted existing access to New Mexico School Boards Association resources.

After discussion, Member Courtney Jackson moved to approve Option 1 and Member Benavides seconded. The motion passed by recorded vote. Board members noted that funds allocated for a fiscal year must be spent by June 30 and that unused allocations could be reallocated among members if agreed.

What the vote means: Board members retain independent discretion for conferences, books or training expenses covered by these funds; the board can still choose to attend CUBE events using individual allocations but will not pay a district CUBE membership fee with this decision.

Action recorded: Motion to approve allocation choosing Option 1 was moved and seconded and carried in roll‑call vote.