GMCS says it will comply with arbitration ruling in teacher dismissal case

The Gallup-McKinley County School District says it has received an arbitrator's decision in the dismissal case of teacher Sawyer Masonjones and will comply with the ruling, as required under the New Mexico School Personnel Act.

In its statement, the district says the arbitrator found it proved misconduct and insubordination — citing attendance practices, classroom supervision, union business conducted during instructional time after an instruction to stop, and the response to student vaping in a classroom — but concluded that dismissal was a disproportionate response.

The district says it disagrees with that conclusion, is evaluating the decision with legal counsel, and will pursue any additional remedies available under the Personnel Act and applicable law.

This account is drawn from the district's statement. The arbitrator's decision itself, and any response from Masonjones, were not part of the announcement.