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Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent

Superintendent’s contract extended
By Helen Davis
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — The Grants/Cibola County School Board voted in executive session Tuesday to extend superintendent Kilino Marquez’s contract for one year.

District Secretary Diana Sanchez said the board annually votes on Marquez’s contract at the time of his February evaluation. Sanchez explained that Marquez’s current contract runs until the end of the next fiscal year in June 2010. The extension will carry the contract through June 2011.

The board did not announce any salary changes for the superintendent. Marquez was paid $108,046.08 for a school year as of June 2008.

Board member William Estevan announced that the superintendent got a good review and will be expected to work on his cabinet and to brief the board on a quarterly basis so they can stay on top of district concerns over the next year.

BHP reports strong profits
By Kathy Helms
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — BHP Billiton released results Wednesday for the half-year ending Dec. 31, 2008, showing a robust operating and financial performance achieved in an environment that deteriorated significantly during the period, particularly over the last quarter.

Net operating cash flow increased by 73.9 percent to $13.1 billion, in U.S. Dollars, the company said. The strong cash flow performance reduced BHP’s net debt to $4.2 billion. BHP said the strong balance sheet is a competitive advantage and leaves the company resilient in challenging economic times. It also means the company is well positioned to take full advantage of an eventual recovery in the market.

BHP said its results benefited from strong volume additions in petroleum and iron ore, while the strength of the U.S. dollar against its main operating currencies had a positive impact.

Cibola School District election canvassing set
By Helen Davis
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — Unofficial results of the Grants/Cibola County School Board election are in. The winners — Jerry Smith in District 1, Dion Sandoval, in District 2 and Earl Chavez in District 3 — have been tentatively posted. Official results will be declared after the canvassing on Friday, Feb. 6.

Canvassing will take place in the superintendent’s office at the district office, 401 N. 2nd St., Grants.

Information: (505) 285-2600.

NMSU-Grants sign-up under way
By Jim Tiffin
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — Registration for the second eight-week semester for New Mexico State University-Grants, which begins March 10, is currently under way.

Classes begin on March 10, then adjourn for spring break March 30-April 4.

The last day to register for the second eight weeks semester is March 16.

Classes will not meet April 10-11, to celebrate the spring holiday on campus and the last day of classes is May 8.

Registration may be made in person, on campus, or on-line at: http://www.grants.nmsu.edu.
Information: (505) 287-6678.