At a packed session, the Board of Education celebrated our student champions, approved four state trips, and voted to update both the academic calendar and the policy regarding student possession and use of personal electronic devices.
2025-2026 District Calendar Update
The Board of Education approved updates to the 2025–2026 Academic Calendar, which was originally approved in December. The revised calendar includes seven (7) professional development days for teachers and sets August 7, 2025, as the first day of school for all grades, eliminating the previous transition day.
You can download a copy of the updated calendar [here].
Policy on Student Possession and Use of Personal Electronic Devices
To support a positive learning environment and ensure the safety and privacy of everyone at Farmington Municipal Schools, the Board of Education has adopted a policy regulating the possession and use of personal electronic devices during school hours, effective next academic year.
Under this policy, the use of personal electronic devices—including cell phones, smartphones, laptops, tablets, smartwatches, smart glasses, earbuds, AirPods, headphones, MP3 players, iPods, digital cameras, video recorders, portable gaming devices, and any other wireless or communication devices—will not be permitted during the school day. This change is to prevent disruptions to learning, interference with school activities, and to protect the well-being of students and staff.
FMS already provides each student with a laptop or iPad and equips teachers with the necessary technology and professional development to effectively integrate digital tools into instruction.
The policy also outlines procedures for student-parent communication during the school day, emergency situations, exceptions, and consequences for violations.
Additional guidelines will be developed and shared with families by school principals at all levels.
You can download a copy of the policy [here].
Preliminary Budget Approval
The Board of Education approved a preliminary operating budget of $137,625,683 for the upcoming fiscal year. Key components of the budget include:
Mandated 4% employee raises totaling $3,042,444.
Multiple insurance increases, including a 16% average increase in risk insurance ($567,160).
Salaries totaling $84,981,322.
The final budget will be formally adopted during a public hearing on June 10.
You can download a copy of the full budget presentation [here].
Board Recognitions
The Board of Education proudly recognized the following students and programs for their outstanding achievements:
Junior Chef – Winners of the recent culinary competition, receiving $1,000 and $100 awards respectively for their culinary creations.
Haleigh Doyle – Honored as a two-time State Champion in Powerlifting.
Bilingual Seal Recipients – Thirty-two students were honored for excellence in bilingual proficiency—the highest number of recipients in FMS history.
Piedra Vista Student Athletic Training Team – Earned 2nd Place at the NMAA State Athletic Training Student Challenge. Twelve students from PV (seniors, juniors, and sophomores) showcased their knowledge and skills in anatomy and emergency care for athletes. The team was guided and chaperoned by Aaron Stem, Mia Palomares, and Jessica Stem.
Stephanie Thompson – Our former Board President is the recipient of the prestigious 2025 NMSBA Student Achievement Award.
Project SEARCH – Celebrated 9 new participants and 2 on the waitlist for the upcoming year. The program received a record-breaking 14 applicants, the highest in its history.
FMS National History Day Students – Recognized for their exceptional research and advancement in the National History Day competition.
Board Approvals for Student Travel to National Competitions
The Board of Education approved the following student trips to national-level competitions in June 2025:
National History Day – Approved travel for students to attend the National History Day competition at the University of Maryland.
FHS HOSA Students – Approved travel to Nashville, Tennessee, for the National HOSA Conference, taking place June 17–22, 2025. One of the topics this year focuses on the use of social media by individuals under 18 years old.
FMS SkillsUSA Students – Approved travel to Atlanta, Georgia, for the SkillsUSA National Competition, scheduled for June 23–27, 2025. Students will be building a playground sandbox excavator.
PVHS Educators Rising – Approved to attend the National Conference in Orlando, Florida, on June 24-30, 2025. The students have raised close to 7 thousand dollars for this trip.
The next Board of Education meeting will be held on June 10, 2025.