Gadsden ISD launches paid online board-training pilot approved by state education secretary

Superintendent Dempsey told the board the district had arranged a paid pilot to provide approved online board-member training through a vendor identified as DDSK, with approval coming from the state education secretary. "Our approval then came straight from the secretary of education who by statute is in charge of board member training," he said, explaining the New Mexico Public Education Department oversees board-training approval. Dempsey said the online option addresses travel barriers and that the district paid the vendor to create the online curriculum.

Board members asked about vendor selection, cost and whether the New Mexico School Boards Association (NMSBA) was involved. Dempsey said the district had paid the vendor and estimated the district cost for the service at about $4,000 for the year, comparing that to higher travel costs for multiple board members attending conferences. He said NMSBA was not involved in the vendor pilot; several other districts had already expressed interest in joining. Board members emphasized the value of in-person training but supported the online option for situations when travel is not possible.

The board did not take formal action beyond discussion and staff committed to enrolling interested board members and tracking hours required by statute.