The Rio Rancho Public Schools board heard a first reading of a policy that could change the way funds are used for district-related travel purposes.

Board member Divyesh Patel wants to revise the travel policy to ensure there is a fair and equitable distribution of travel resources and opportunities across the board for all employees.

Patel said it’s crucial for newer teachers and administrators to have an opportunity to undertake professional development. “This will keep the younger teachers motivated and let them have professional development,” Patel said. “The ones with plenty of experience going to conferences realize incremental gains they can make in their teaching or administrative positions. Those gains are far less than having a young teacher just coming out of university. I just want to make sure we have equity across the board.”

RRPS Superintendent Sue Cleveland said the teachers and administrators that go to conferences share the information and lessons learned at conferences with their colleagues and others.

The proposed policy would limit employees to one trip outside the state per school year. Exceptions would have to be approved by the superintendent and justification given to the board. Trips where an outside party pays for the expenses would not count under the limit.

Travel funds would be prioritized to ensure that newly minted teachers and other administrative employees get an opportunity to travel for professional development over those who have had several years of teaching ad administrative experience.

“With ever-depleting travel budgets in coming school years, we cannot support senior and seasoned employees to serve on various National Board or Professional Advisory bodies which would ask them to travel to attend meetings and conferences outside New Mexico,” states the policy.

Board member Craig Brandt said teachers should have input in the new policy.

“It would be beneficial to hear from teachers as a whole to see if they are getting the professional development training they need,” he said. “I want to hear from the teachers on the front line. Are they getting the support they need down the chain?”

Board President Don Schlichte said he wanted more data before making a decision to change the travel policy.

Rio Rancho Elementary School principal Barbara Bruce said she sends teachers and staff for professional development with the plan that they will share the knowledge with their fellow employees at the school. She said those are typically Level II or III teachers.

“I want people that can bring things back to the learning development community” Bruce said. “My focus is on the kids. What will have the most positive impact?”

Board member Marty Scharfglass took exception to the policy proposed by Patel and said Patel had a hidden agenda.

“The statements you make can’t be taken in a neutral manner. Each one has innuendo,” Scharfglass said. “I believe in this school district because of its superintendent and fine administration and the teachers we have. I look at the results we get for our kids and that’s the bottom line.”

Scharfglass said he couldn’t be quiet anymore and wanted to express his thoughts.

“I believe you have an agenda,” Scharfglass said. “We have the most outstanding superintendent in the state and unless you show me something radically wrong, we don’t need to take the last hour on this. We’re doing the best for our kids and I question how you go about things and why you go about things. It is totally out of line. I really wish you would stop doing that.”

Patel, who wasn’t physically at the meeting, but attended via telephone, said he didn’t have to answer to Scharfglass.

“The reason we’re all here is to make sure we are doing the right things for our teachers, students and the community,” Patel said. “You have a right to your opinion. I’m here to speak for myself. I have the utmost respect for Sue (Cleveland), the staff and the teachers.”