The Finance Committee Meeting for Taos Municipal Schools took place on March 8, 2025, focusing on critical issues surrounding public school transportation funding. The meeting began with a review of the funding formula, which revealed a significant decrease in funding compared to the previous year.

A committee member expressed concern over the drastic reduction in funds, prompting a deeper investigation into the reasons behind this change. It was noted that discrepancies in student counting contributed to the funding shortfall. The committee planned to address these issues in a later presentation by Samantha, who would provide further insights into the student count process.

To explore potential solutions, the committee reached out to Tony Ortiz, the director of finance and operations for public education. The committee discussed the possibility of accessing emergency supplemental funding to mitigate the impact of the funding cuts. Ortiz's insights were deemed crucial, and the committee acknowledged the need for further analysis and preparation on their part to pursue additional financial support.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the challenges faced by the Taos Municipal Schools in securing adequate transportation funding and underscored the importance of accurate student counting in determining financial resources. The committee's next steps will involve further discussions and efforts to secure necessary funding to support the school district's transportation needs.