Hobbs Municipal Schools elementary school students will return to 100% remote learning after Thanksgiving Break, according to an announcement made Thursday by HMS Superintendent TJ Parks. The move comes ahead of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s press conference today, where she is expected to enact further restrictions on the state. Citing an increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Lea County and …

When it was announced public schools in New Mexico would not be allowed to start with children in the classroom for fourth grade and up, many wondered what effect it would have on students who were basically left to fend for themselves in a new environment. As the school year now enters the fourth month of complete online learning, with …

In contrast to the bad news often inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic, University of the Southwest has some things to celebrate. First, the university has more students enrolled in its undergraduate and graduate programs than ever before, according to Ryan Tipton, provost of the university. “In this crisis, we’ve really battened down the hatches,” Tipton said. “We’ve been preparing for …

CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — This city has assembled a task force to consider the future of its New Mexico State University Carlsbad campus, including the possibility of operating as an independent university. The university system removed the president position in August from its Carlsbad and other branch campuses, leaving one executive with authority over all three, Mayor Dale Janway said, …

In a 167 page opinion released Wednesday afternoon, U.S. District Court Judge James Browning gave a partial victory to those seeking to allow children back in the classroom for in-person learning via a temporary restraining order against the state. A class action lawsuit filed by attorney A. Blair Dunn, on Sept. 21, with a hearing on Sept. 30, argued Gov. …

I believe parents should be given choices regarding the education of their children. As an example, Hobbs Schools lets parents complete out-of-zone applications which allow their children to attend schools in a different part of town than where they reside when space is available. I’ve also been asked my thoughts about parents living in one community and sending their children …

Parents came to the regularly held Hobbs Municipal School Board meeting Tuesday night expressing their concerns about what the state restrictions are doing to students, and to find out if anything can be done to get children back in school. Currently HMS students are only taking classes remotely with the exception of pre-K through 3rd graders allowed to attend one …

New Mexico Junior College is reducing the tuition rate it charges some out of state students after the board agreed to the change last week. Currently, NMJC has an in-district tuition rate $39 per tuition hour for students who live in Lea County. It then has an out-of-district rate of $58 for those students who live in New Mexico but …

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham expressed hope Wednesday that most elementary school students will be able to return to classrooms after Labor Day under a hybrid mode, citing declining statewide rates of coronavirus infection. In a live video interview with Washington Post journalist Eugene Scott, Lujan Grisham said New Mexico is “crushing it” when it comes …

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — As parents nationwide prepare to help their children with more distance learning, a small but quickly growing number are deciding to take matters entirely into their own hands and begin homeschooling. Some are worried their districts are unable to offer a strong virtual learning program. For others who may have been considering homeschooling, concerns for their …