In the vast expanse of New Mexico lies a school district that defies conventional educational models. Spanning 5,000 square miles or roughly the size of Connecticut, GallupMcKinley County Schools serves students across seven distinct communities, many living over 100 miles from the central office. The district operates in one of the nation’s most economically disadvantaged regions, ranked 50th in poverty levels nationwide. “We’re a very unique school district, not only in New Mexico but in the country,” says Mike Hyatt, Superintendent of Gallup-McKinley County Schools. “We’re the third largest geographically as far as how dispersed our students are. This area is culturally diverse with some very rural and some city center communities, which presents both challenges and opportunities to provide education for students from diverse backgrounds socially, culturally, and economically.” 2 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 05
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