Tohatchi High School is a public high school in Tohatchi, New Mexico. It is a part of Gallup-McKinley County Schools.

Communities in its attendance boundary include Tohatchi, Brimhall Nizohini, Nakaibito, and Twin Lakes.[1]

History

The original building had a capacity of 250. By 1975, the enrollment was at 750, and the school district was forming plans to build a new school; the district planned to spend $6,696,000, with a grant paid with federal funds covering just under $6,700,000 of that. September 1977 was the earliest anticipated opening date.[2] The district was using weather data supplied by a Tohatchi High student, using a small weather station, as part of the district's plans.[3] The federal grant funding arrived in 1977.[4]

Osmond Charles "Chick" Fero,[5] in fall 1983 became the principal of Tohatchi High.[6] There were three other people considered for the position.[7] In 1985 he resigned after he was accused of murdering superintendent Paul Hanson, and Carl Montoya took his position.[6] Fero was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.[8]

Curriculum

The school began a woodworking program in 1972.[9]

In the 1976-1977 school year the school started a class on making rugs in the Navajo style, which was part of a program to add elements of Navajo culture to the coursework. It was the only such class in the school district.[10]

References

  1. ^ "GMCS Address Lookup". Gallup-McKinley County Schools. Retrieved 2022-01-15. - KML files: locations, and High boundaries and locations.
  2. ^ Green, Don (1975-01-25). "Tohatchi To Get High School Funds". The Gallup Independent. Vol. 86, no. 21. Gallup, New Mexico. p. 1. - Clipping from Newspapers.com. Text detail A and Text detail B
  3. ^ Benefield, Karla (1975-10-16). "Student's Weather Station Reports Help In Building Tohatchi School". The Gallup Independent. Vol. 86, no. 242. Gallup, New Mexico. p. 1. - Clipping from Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Tohatchi High School Is Funded". The Gallup Independent. Vol. 90, no. 12. Gallup, New Mexico. 1977-01-15. p. 1. - Clipping from Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Fong, Mei (2001-09-11). "Prisoner's Wife Spurs New Mexico To Skip Its Cut of Jail Phone Bills". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  6. ^ a b Locke, Patrick (1985-03-01). "Police Find Recent Will in Principal's Car". The Gallup Independent. Gallup, New Mexico. p. B3. - Clipping from Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Murder Suspect Is Highly Respected Coach". Carlsbad Current-Argus. Carlsbad, New Mexico. Associated Press. 1985-02-24. p. 3. - Clipping from Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Giannettino, Judy (1985-06-21). "Former Principal Convicted Of Killing Boss". Associated Press. Retrieved 2022-01-17.
  9. ^ "Many Woodworking Projects Built at Tohatchi High School 'Shop'". The Gallup Independent. Gallup, New Mexico. 1975-02-20. p. 11. - Clipping from Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Reuter, Joanne (1977-03-23). "Students Learn Rugweaving". The Gallup Independent. Gallup, New Mexico. p. 3. - Clipping from Newspapers.com.

External links

35°51′43″N 108°45′07″W / 35.862°N 108.752°W / 35.862; -108.752

Education in McKinley County, New Mexico
Navajo Nation
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