According to the New Mexico Public Education Department, New Mexico's largest private school wasn't enforcing mask mandate on its campus, and now it has agreed to pay a $5,000 fine because of it.
"Although the school does not agree that the Notice of Contemplated Action…is warranted, the School has made an economic decision to cease its dispute and conclude this matter," the letter to the New Mexico Public Education Department said, according to KOB4.
Albuquerque's Hope Christian School was initially requesting an evidentiary hearing. However, on Jan. 12, they dropped the request and instead opted to pay the fine.
"We really wanted to ensure that there was a system in place for staff members or family members to report any non-compliance with COVID-safe practices," Katie Avery, the NMPED's director of strategic outreach, told the station.
The NMPED notified the school of the violation on Sept. 21 and provided five photos of students who weren't wearing masks on Aug. 12. "Of course, since the Public Education Department does not have jurisdiction over private schools, we refer any complaints or questions that come in about those matters to our partners at the Department of Health," said Avery.