At a regular meeting of Gallup-McKinley County Schools (GMCS)

on November 15, 2010, the School Board voted unanimously to 

approve the Collective Bargaining 
Agreement (CBA) negotiated 

with the McKinley County Federation of United School Employees 

(MCFUSE).

MCFUSE President Brian Bernard stated, “This is an extraordinary

and significant event as it is the first 
CBA between GMCS and

MCFUSE in twelve (12) years and 
took us more than two (2) years 

to negotiate.”

After years of strong opposition from previous administrations,

the election of an employee-friendly School Board and the hiring

of a Superintendent with experience in working with unions paved 

the way for the vast improvement in District-Union relations.

GMCS Superintendent Ray Arsenault has signed several Memoranda of 

Understanding (MOU’s) with MCFUSE which include access to facilities,

Payroll Dues Deductions, 09-10 School Calendar, work hours, and the

School Improvement Grant (SIG) for Crownpoint, New Mexico.

The CBA is the pinnacle of collaborative accomplishments achieved

by the District and MCFUSE to date. 

The MCFUSE Membership ratified the CBA on Saturday, October 23, 2010.