ANTHONY, N.M. -- The Gadsden Independent School Ddistrict said it has found a way to avoid layoffs and still balance its budget with a $3.9 million budget shortfall. It also unveiled a new full-service health center.

Two weeks ago, New Mexico Public Education Department Secretary Veronica Garcia sent GISD a letter stating, "I am concerned about your district's ability to live within its means this fiscal year," after GISD requested financial help.

“It wasn't good. It wasn't a good morale thing and I felt bad and I didn't know where to help,” said GISD School Board Vice President Jennifer Viramontes.

The district announced that it avoided major job losses and budget cuts, because the PED allowed it to use previously authorized district money.

“No matter what you heard or what the morale was, they were willing to take it, whatever it was, to work together so everybody would have a job,” said Viramontes.

The Gadsden Middle School faculty showed off a new full-service school-based health center. It's part of the new “Elev8 New Mexico” initiative bringing learning, health and support to families.

“They come in, we assess them and determine if they need primary care. We further them on to the nurse practitioner. If they are needing counseling, then that's where I come in,” said Lucy Sandoval, program and clinical director.

The center provides mental health counseling, family planning, and other medical services at no cost to the students.

”A lot of people have to pay for it, and here you don't have to pay for anything,” said eight-grader Melissa Melendez.

The program is funded by local state and federal grants.

“To have a healthy mind, body and soul helps a child all the way through, and if you have everything taken care of, you have less to worry about,” said Viramontes.

The money that will save the district comes from reimbursement money from completed capital projects. Two plans to reconcile the shortfall will no longer be needed.