Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
Raul Turrieta, chairperson for the 6th Annual James H. Pirtle Walk for the Heroes, 2015, told the Silver City Town Council at its Aug. 11 meeting, the event would be held on Sept. 26. The Walk is a community-driven fundraiser in support of local military families, a news release said, and honors James H. Pirtle, Army Specialist, who was killed in Iraq on Oct. 4, 2003. Approximately 1,945 veterans live in Grant County, with about 25 being 100% disabled, according to Turrieta. The Walk this year, Turrieta said, will be from Hurley to Bataan Memorial Park near Santa Clara and will start at 9 a.m., with registration beginning at 7 a.m.
The Summit Healthcare business center and Ultimate Fitness are conducting the fourth annual School Supply Drive in Deming. The fitness center is now accepting donations of school supplies. Drop-off boxes can be found at Mango Maddie’s Ultimate Fitness, Summit Healthcare and Summit Rehabilitation.
With New Mexico’s students heading back to school, Governor Susana Martinez announced Mondayan online tutoring service to help them succeed in the classroom. Students can access the service – called Brainfuse – with the click of a mouse, allowing them to connect with tutors in real-time. “I believe that every child can learn, and I am committed to giving them the tools they need to help them succeed,” Governor Martinez said. “With this online service, our kids can work one-on-one with professional tutors when they need help with their homework. This ensures that they continue to get the help they need even when they are away from the classroom.”
First District Judge Francis Mathew ruled today against the New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) in its attempt to dismiss a law suit brought by the National Education Association- New Mexico (NEA-NM). The NEA-NM lawsuit, which seeks to nullify the Teacher Evaluation system imposed by the PED was filed in September, 2014. The lawsuit claims Secretary Skandera has usurped the authority of local school districts in an unconstitutional move to determine evaluation policies and procedures. While no date was set for the trial, the Judge ruled the parties may proceed with discovery. This ruling comes on the heels of an earlier win by NEA-NM that the PED violated the “Inspection of Public Records Act” when it failed for many months to disclose data to prove a statement that the teacher evaluation system put in place under the Richardson administration had failed because it determined that more than 99% of all teachers were proficient.