The final two candidates in the Albuquerque Public Schools superintendent search presented themselves at a series of candidate forums January 30, taking comments for almost 12 hours, from the public, students, and APS staff about what they would do to improve the district if chosen to lead APS.
Duran Blakey, a graduate of APS’ Highland High School, emphasized the strength of diversity in her leadership approach. She emphasized her commitment to APS’ goals and guardrails, focusing on the importance of meeting the needs of all students within the district.
Duran Blakey said her vision includes increasing high school internships, expanding career technical programs, and improving access to the arts for APS students.
Ahart, with 34 years of professional experience in education, including 10 years as a superintendent, said that equity is his guiding principle. He stressed the importance of recognizing that no two students are alike, and that understanding what works for each individual student will help to ensure their success. Ahart also underscored the significance of community partnerships and student agency in his approach to educational leadership.
The forums covered a range of critical educational topics, including early childhood education, candidate perspectives on addressing underserved students, education in the post-COVID era, school safety, standardized testing, student successes, career pathways for non-college-bound students, cell phone policies, promoting equity, and collaboration with teachers’ unions.
Community members were encouraged to share their thoughts on the candidates through a portal set up by APS. The input gathered from the forums and public feedback will play a crucial role in the APS board’s decision-making process.
The chosen candidate will take over from Elder, whose contract expires on June 30. Selecting the right superintendent is a critical responsibility for the board as they seek to improve academic outcomes for the district’s 68,000 students and oversee the daily operations of over 140 schools.
The APS superintendent search process reflects a community-driven approach, with extensive community engagement and input throughout the process , a requirement of the board’s strategic plan.
The board held final interviews with both candidates on January 31, bringing the superintendent search process closer to its conclusion. The board was in executive session for over 10 hours. Business before the board was, “Interviewing Superintendent Finalists, Reviewing and Discussing Finalist Applications, and Discussing a Possible Contract for the Next Superintendent.” The board tabled this discussion around 8:30 p.m. and has scheduled a special board meeting for Monday, February 5 to conclude their business.
Dr. Thomas Ahart, with an American Sign Language interpreter to his left, explains to the APS community why he would make an effective superintendent.Dr. Gabriella Duran Blakey, with an American Sign Language interpreter to her left, explains to the APS community why she would make an effective superintendent.Hundreds attended Jan. 30’s public forums where the remaining two candidates for APS Superintendent explained why they would be a good fit to lead the district.
The New Mexico Senate voted 34-1 today, passing Senate Joint Resolution 9, which seeks to replace the existing education governance structure by removing the role of Secretary of Public Education and introducing a State School Board
Senator Shannon Pinto (D – McKinley and San Juan) said that this legislation will negatively impact the tribes and pueblos of New Mexico by denying tribes representation. This resolution does require at least one appointed member of the proposed State School Board be a tribal representative. “The tribal collaboration for my district was not really a tribal collaboration,” Pinto said, arguing that the tribes would be negatively impacted. “I don’t feel like we’re moving forward,” she said.
During the Senate debate, Senator Bill Tallman (D – Bernalillo) raised questions about the effectiveness of the bill, asking if it was merely “rearranging the chairs on the Titanic.” Senator Steven P. Neville (R – San Juan), one of the bill’s sponsors, defended SJR 9, emphasizing that it would bring stability to the education system, although the results may not be immediate.
Senator William P. Soules (D – Doña Ana), another sponsor, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of consistency in education policy changes and expressing optimism about the long-term positive impact of the amendment on the state’s education outcomes.
The resolution will now be referred to the House of Representatives where it must be passed in at least one committee and then clear a floor vote. If successful there, New Mexicans will decide whether to approve the constitutional amendment during the 2026 general election.
A proposed constitutional amendment seeks to restructure the system of education governance in New Mexico. Senate Joint Resolution 9 would overhaul the state’s education system by changing the state constitution to revert back to New Mexico’s previous form of education governance, an elected state school board.
This constitutional amendment would repeal the existing Public Education Commission and create a new statewide school board. New Mexico had a state school board from 1986 until 2003 when lawmakers amended the constitution to remove the state school board and establish a cabinet secretary to oversee public education. If approved , the amendment will take power away from the governor who currently chooses the education secretary. The resolution was heard in the Senate Education Committee on January 26 and received a “Do Pass” recommendation; this action followed a similar approval from the Senate Rules Committee on Jan. 18. The resolution is now awaiting a vote by the full senate.
SJR 9 is built on five key pillars which will completely reshape the education landscape of New Mexico.
Replacement of the Public Education Commission: The proposed amendment calls for the repeal of Article 12, Section 6 of the New Mexico Constitution, which established the Public Education Commission. In its place, the amendment would introduce a new Section 6, creating the State School Board as the primary governing body for public education in the state.
The existing Article 12, Section 6 also establishes the Public Education Commission. New Mexico Public School Code has codified responsibilities for the Public Education Department that are not addressed in SJR 9, leaving questions about the responsibilities of new State School Board members.
Composition of the State School Board: The State School Board would be a 15-member board, comprised of ten elected and five appointed members, with members serving staggered six-year terms, representing specific districts within the state. Vacancies and appointments on the board would be filled by the Governor, with the consent of the Senate.
SJR 9 mandates at least one of the appointed members be a tribal representative, and no more than two appointees can come from the same county.
Neville said SJR 9 does not alter the number of elected officials currently serving on the Public Education Commission. The number of elected officials that serve on the new State School Board would be the same as currently serve on the commission, keeping the number at 10 elected officials. The five appointed members will serve at large – representing the whole state.
Transition Period: If adopted, a transition period would be in place. All members of the State School Board would be elected at the 2026 general election, and would commence their terms January 1, 2027.
Continuing Role of the Public Education Commission: Until January 1, 2027, the Public Education Commission would continue to exercise its powers and duties.
Support and Opposition
During Friday’s education committee hearing, Senator Neville, who defended the bill, addressed questions from fellow senators. He emphasized that the proposed changes would not take effect until the end of the current governor’s term in 2027.
During the committee hearing, Steve Sianez, the government affairs director for National Education Association New Mexico, expressed support for SJR 9, highlighting its potential to bring stability to education leadership. The New Mexico School Board Association did not take an official position but expressed a desire to consider the benefits of amending the constitution to reintroduce a state school board.
However, Amanda Aragon of NewMexicoKidsCAN raised concerns about the potential for increased partisanship in education and urged more scrutiny and debate on the proposed changes. Matt Pahl of Public Charter Schools of New Mexico opposed the legislation, fearing a dilution of the Public Education Commission’s focus on managing charter schools. Amanda DeBell, Deputy Secretary of Teaching, Learning, and Innovation at the Public Education Department said PED opposes the legislation and argued the changes may interrupt the collaborative work their staff does with other state entities.
Senator Craig Brandt (R – Sandoval) expressed reservations about the bill, particularly regarding its potential impact on charter schools. However, Senator Neville defended the proposal, emphasizing the need for stability and longer tenures for education leaders.
Senator Bill Soules (D – Dona Ana) expressed concerns about the inconsistency in education policy changes and highlighted the importance of stability in achieving positive outcomes for students. Soules noted he is a sponsor of the bill and argued it would create the stability necessary to improve student results.This is an argument that was used in 2003 when the legislature moved to amend the constitution and establish the existing Secretary of Public Education and Public Education Commission.
A Legislative Council Service explanation of arguments for and against the 2003 amendment states, “By giving clear-cut power to a single, focused decision-maker — a secretary of public education — the public education department will be able to respond in a timely fashion to the educational needs of the state. An experienced, qualified secretary of public education can make policy decisions more effectively, efficiently and rapidly than can the current burdensome system of the 15-member state board of education and the superintendent of public instruction. The secretary’s decision-making process will not be encumbered by adhering to time constraints and endless debate among a large number of people. Additionally, creating an elected public education commission to replace the bifurcated, part-elected, part-appointed system currently in place in New Mexico will reduce the propensity for political struggles and eliminate the endless struggles between the state board of education and the superintendent of public instruction.”
One of three finalists to be the next superintendent of Albuquerque Public Schools withdrew his name from consideration Monday, leaving two people vying for the job – one a district employee, another an educator from out of state.
Mason Bellamy, Chief of Academics and Schools for Metro Nashville Public Schools bowed out of the contest, leaving Thomas Ahart, a former superintendent from Des Moines, Iowa and current consultant with the Council of the Great City Schools, and Gabriella Durán Blakey, APS’ Chief Operations Officer as the two finalists.
Bellamy, Durán Blakey, and Ahart were named finalists Jan. 16, following extensive virtual interviews and deliberations by the APS board. “We are disappointed, but understand circumstances can change,” APS Board of Education President Danielle Gonzales said of Bellamy’s withdrawal. “We thank Dr. Bellamy for the time, effort, and energy he invested in this process and wish him the best.”
The forums will include a public town hall featuring a student panel and pre-submitted questions, an APS employee forum with questions pre-submitted by teachers and staff, and a general public forum where the finalists will introduce themselves and address pre-submitted questions.
Anyone interested in submitting questions for the finalists have until January 26, questions can be submitted using this link.
The next superintendent will play a crucial role in implementing APS’ Emerging Better Strategic Plan to enhance academic outcomes for its 68,000 students and lead a district comprising over 140 schools and more than 10,000 employees.
The board will meet again on January 31 to conduct final interviews and select the new superintendent, who will take over from Superintendent Scott Elder upon his retirement at the end of his contract on June 30.
In a move intended to bolster New Mexico’s education system, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s proposed executive budget for fiscal year 2025, and the Legislative Finance Committee’s recommendation, have both outlined major investments in education.
Lujan Grisham’s budget proposes a $10.5 billion spending plan, a 9.9 percent increase from the last fiscal year. The plan includes a sweeping array of educational investments: $33 million to expand early pre-kindergarten slots by 1,380, a robust $101.2 million increase to the to help school districts adjust to new 180-day school calendars, and $58.1 million for structured literacy, including $30 million in capital funds, earmarked for a new Literacy Institute.
Furthermore, $43.5 million would be allocated for healthy, universal school meals. And under this plan, educators across the state would receive a three percent pay raise, totaling $96 million.
In her State of the State address on January 16, Lujan Grisham said these financial injections into New Mexico’s education system signal a transformative period for schools, teachers, and students. She said that additional funds would help districts bring their instructional time with students to 180 school days from the current 1040 hours per year. “It’s challenging, but it’s time we did the right thing,” Lujan Grisham said.
New Mexico’s budget allocations to education have shown a steady increase over the past decade. In FY14, the total state budget was $5.89 billion, with $2.567 billion dedicated to K-12 education and $790 million to higher education, comprising 57 percent of the total budget.
This trend of prioritizing education funding continued, with FY20 marking a notable increase to $6.977 billion in total budget, dedicating $3.249 billion to K-12 and $838 million to higher education, accounting for 59 percent of the budget.
By FY24, the total state budget grew to $9.4 billion. K-12 education received $4.174 billion and higher education $1.2 billion, making up 57 percent of the budget. Legislators are currently working on creating the FY25 budget at the State Capitol in Santa Fe.
The proposed budgets are subject to approval and potential amendments in the ongoing legislative session, where they will be scrutinized and debated by state lawmakers. State legislators must approve a budget by February 15 at noon when this year’s 30-day lawmaking session ends.
Editor’s Note: The four percentage point proficiency increase discussed by the governor varies in methodology from the previous school year. 2022-23 data released by PED did not include proficiency rates of 11th graders, which were included in the 2021-22 student achievement results.
In her State of the State address, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham laid out an ambitious agenda for New Mexico, with a significant focus on improving education. Addressing lawmakers at the New Mexico State Capitol, Lujan Grisham highlighted her administration’s past achievements and future plans for improving education in the state during the January 16 event that kicked off the 2024 legislative session.
Lujan Grisham proudly mentioned New Mexico’s unique position in the U.S. as the only state with a constitutional right to childcare and the requirement for free and nutritious school meals.
In her speech, the governor called for further investment in literacy, proposing a $30 million capital investment to build a statewide literacy institute, and another $30 million for free literacy summer programs across the state. The governor said these investments are meant to improve reading skills for 10,000 students needing to catch up to their grade level. Lujan Grisham stressed the importance of literacy, saying, “Every student, and frankly, every New Mexican, should be given the opportunity to learn to read to the best of their ability.”
Additionally, Lujan Grisham advocated for the expansion of the school year to 180-days and requested legislative funding to support this. This argument follows a push from her office and the Public Education Department to expand the actual days students are in school. She said that more quality instruction time is crucial for improving educational outcomes. “No student should be told that their progress isn’t a priority,” the governor said, emphasizing the state’s commitment to providing top-notch education for its youth. “It’s challenging, but it’s time we did the right thing,” Lujan Grisham said.
The governor also called for increased accountability in school districts. Lujan Grisham called on the legislature to approve $30 million to embed what she called “experts” in low-performing schools to identify challenges and develop immediate solutions that will improve student results.
The end of her speech marked the beginning of the 2024 legislative session; this year’s session will last 30 days, ending February 15.
Editor’s Note: The Albuquerque Public School Board has removed Channell Segura from the short list, leaving three candidates.
After the announcement that Superintendent Scott Elder’s contract would not be renewed, the Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education geared up for a critical decision that will shape the future of the state’s largest school district.
Thomas Ahart: Dr. Ahart has a 33-year career spanning various roles in the field. Holding an EdD in Educational Leadership from Drake University. His resume shows he has worked on improving equity, student outcomes, and fostering collaborative relationships within educational communities. During Ahart’s tenure as Superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools the district redrew school boundaries, introduced virtual schools, and achieved record-high graduation rates. In his resume, Ahart wrote that he possesses expertise in areas such as facilities management, business, finance, and personnel.
Mason Bellamy: Dr. Bellamy has more than nine years of district leadership experience. He has focused on addressing systemic inequities facing educators, students, families, and communities. According to his resume, he possesses a diverse range of roles in suburban and urban school districts, including teaching, school leadership, and cabinet-level positions. He currently serves as Chief of Academics and Schools in Metro Nashville Public Schools.
Gabriella Duran Blakey: Duran Blakey currently serves as Chief Operations Officer at Albuquerque Public Schools. Her resume touts her ability to lead and manage complex educational systems effectively, and adds that ensuring students’ safety, and security have been sharpened because of this role. Her resume lists professional accomplishments, including coordinating COVID-19 safety protocols, overseeing substantial bond elections, managing construction projects, and improving school security. She also says she is a sought-after public speaker, with over 30 presentations nationwide, covering topics such as systems change, instructional innovation, operational efficiencies, and women in leadership.
Channell Segura: Currently Chief of Schools in APS, Dr. Segura writes in her resume that she is committed to cultivating a culture of excellence and growth within the Albuquerque Public Schools community. Segura brings 19 years of experience in New Mexico’s public education landscape. She says her expertise aligns well with APS’s values, emphasizing student-centered learning, staff development, and community engagement. She says her time as Chief of Schools at APS allows her to bring visionary leadership, strategic direction, and support to the superintendent, associate superintendents, and school principals. She adds that her extensive background in education, coupled with her ability to innovate and collaborate effectively, positions her to drive positive change and deliver outstanding educational outcomes for all APS students.
The APS board is scheduled to conduct virtual interviews with these semi-finalists on January 16 to determine the finalists who will advance in the selection process.
Board President Danielle Gonzales said this will be a high-stakes decision for the board. “The futures of our children depend on finding an accomplished educator who prioritizes student learning and social-emotional wellness and commits to the strategic plan to make it all happen,” she said.
To promote community involvement and input, APS has organized public forums scheduled for Tuesday, January 30, at the Berna Facio Professional Development Complex, located at 3315 Louisiana Blvd. NE. The public forums will be an opportunity for APS staff and the community to interact with the superintendent finalists. The schedule for the forums is as follows:
9 a.m. – noon: Public Town Hall featuring a student panel and pre-submitted questions for the superintendent finalists.
5 – 5:45 p.m.: APS Employee Forum where finalists will respond to questions pre-submitted by teachers and staff.
6 – 8 p.m.: General Public Forum where finalists will introduce themselves and address pre-submitted questions.
Members of the community can submit questions for the superintendent finalists until January 26 using this portal.
The APS board will hold an executive session on Wednesday, January 31, to conduct final interviews and select the new superintendent. The chosen candidate will take over from incumbent Superintendent Elder, whose contract expires on June 30.
This superintendent search process marks a crucial moment for APS as it strives to find a leader who will steer the district towards achieving its strategic goals and ensuring the well-being and success of its students.
Albuquerque Collegiate, a high-performing charter school located in the South Valley of Albuquerque, is making significant strides in elementary-level education, as displayed by the Public Education Department’s rating which puts the school in the “excellence” category.
Founded in 2018 by Jade Rivera, the school’s mission is to provide a “structured and ambitious” education to its students while overcoming the challenges typically faced by low income students.
When the school first opened it served kindergarten and first grade students, and has grown one grade level per year since then. “Next year we’ll be starting our expansion into middle school grades starting with sixth grade,” Rivera said.
The school is nestled in an unconventional location, a shopping center with a mercado and a Family Dollar as neighbors.
“It is critically imperative to us that we are in a community that needs access to an excellent education, and every family should be able to have that in their backyard,” Rivera said.
“We know from the recent data that [our school’s success] is very traditionally and historically not true for the southwest quadrant of the city,” Rivera said. “So it’s really important for us that we are providing a game-changing education for our families right here in the South Valley, southwest mesa area.”
The school’s success in English language arts is particularly noteworthy, with proficiency rates exceeding 68 percent for third through fifth graders. Rivera said, “Our kindergarten through second-grade scholars have a higher proficiency rate than that.”
“Those foundations have to start really early, and so we model a really intensive and highly supportive structured literacy program starting in kindergarten for most of our students,” Rivera said, explaining that Albuquerque Collegiate employs a unique teaching model. This model has two fully licensed teachers co-teaching in each kindergarten through second grade classroom.
The school’s emphasis on student engagement is evident through its commitment to maximizing instructional time. Rivera explains, “We know that more time means more learning, and we want to maximize those minutes.”
Albuquerque Collegiate’s relationship with parents and families is a vital component of its success, Rivera said. “We are tremendously fortunate to be able to work as really close partners with our families and see our work as a true partnership.”
She further emphasizes the school’s commitment to accessibility, stating, “We do not ask our families to pay for uniforms; we do not ask our families to pay for school supplies.” Albuquerque Collegiate also offers students and their families the opportunity to schedule appointments with mental health professionals, regardless of their ability to pay.
Wrap it up Wednesday
All work and no play is not the school’s strategy for success. On top of rigorous support for its students and faculty, the school pushes hard to make sure that students have an opportunity to express their energy and pride for their class while reflecting on lessons they learned at school.
“Wrap it up Wednesday” is an integral part of Albuquerque Collegiate’s unique approach to education, emphasizing not only academic excellence but also the celebration of student achievements and the cultivation of a growth mindset. Rivera describes it as “a common element we’ve identified from high-performing charter schools across the country,” where the focus is on acknowledging and uplifting students’ efforts and progress.
During “Wrap it up Wednesday,” students and teachers gather to recognize outstanding accomplishments, both in academics and character development. “We want our students to take pride in their learning and understand that their hard work is valued,” she said. This initiative goes beyond simply honoring top-performing students; it celebrates the determination and dedication of every student, instilling in them the belief that effort and resilience are essential for success.
Students rally together in the school building, each carrying the banner of the college their class represents. Each classroom is tasked with coming up with a school chant to celebrate the college their school is named for, but also represent their creativity within the classroom. Each class has leaders who help motivate their peers and lead the school chant.
The rally offers students an opportunity to reflect on the school’s core values; respect, enthusiasm, achievement, courage, hard work and self determination.
The event serves as a motivational tool, inspiring students to excel and continuously improve. “Wrap it up Wednesday” reinforces the idea that persistence and dedication are essential for personal growth and achievement.
Rivera said “Wrap it up Wednesday” is a testament to Albuquerque Collegiate’s dedication to nurturing well-rounded students who not only excel academically but also understand the value of hard work and perseverance in their educational journey.
As part of Warp it Up Wednesday, students at Albuquerque Collegiate receive certificates when they have accomplished their goals.Students at Albuquerque Collegiate, representing their Clemson Tigers-themed class, perform their class song during Wrap it Up Wednesday.
Following the 2023 election, a wave of change has swept over the Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education, ushering in a new era of leadership and diversity. New members mean new leadership. The board of education elected Danielle Gonzales to the role of board president, freshman member Ronanda Tome-Warito to vice president, and freshman member Janelle Astorga to the role of secretary.
The seven member APS board is moving toward the future, with a number of pressing items on their agenda, like addressing student proficiency and hiring a new superintendent.
New Board Members
Ronalda Tome-Warito – District 2
In a historic moment, Ronalda Tome-Warito, an educational consultant and advocate for children with disabilities and Native American students, was sworn in as the very first Native American school board member in the history of the Albuquerque school board. Tome-Warito said her election to the District 2 seat carries historical significance as she highlighted her great great-grandmother’s experience during the Long Walk of the Navajos in 1863 and the historical exclusion of Native American children within APS.
“I hope within the time in my term that we not only get to see a different lens of what it means to represent our children, all children, especially those of color, who have not only felt the traumas of what the schools have done, but I hope that with this new incoming [board] bringing another lens that we start to heal, and that we start to recognize that we all have a responsibility,” Tome-Warito emphasized during her swearing-in ceremony.
Janelle Astorga – District 1
Janelle Astorga, co-director of Learning Alliance of New Mexico, is the youngest person on the board and leaned into that as a personal strength for the office. She was elected to the District 1 seat.
“To my community, this is only the start,” Astorga said. “We know that there are some things that we want to change, some things that we want to keep and support, and I hope that I am that voice that you all voted me in to be and that I make you all proud.” She went on to say that she intends to advocate for equity and racial justice while on the board.
Heather Benevidez – District 4
Heather Benevidez, leader of a disability advocacy non-profit and a former magistrate judge, took her oath for the District 4 seat.
Benevidez said she is committed to representing the community with integrity and transparency, and she acknowledged the importance of public education while addressing critics who often highlight its flaws.
“I am committed to representing you with integrity, transparency, and a deep sense of responsibility,” she said. “And as we embark on this journey together, please remember the ideals that bind us, the principles of justice, equality, inclusion, diversity, and the importance of public education because they define the very essence of our democracy.” During her speech, Benevidez thanked members of the Albuquerque Teachers Federation for their support and said, “I look forward to working alongside each of my fellow board members to demonstrate the excellence of APS and prove those pessimistic people wrong.”
New Leadership
Each year the APS board structures its government, choosing who will serve in executive roles. Board members were given the opportunity to share which positions they were interested in at the beginning of the meeting. Later, the board accepted formal nominations and voted for each role.
Board President
Two members of the board were nominated for board president, Danielle Gonzales and Josefina Dominguez.
Gonzales spoke about her extensive experience. She stressed her involvement in crafting the goals and guardrails in the APS Emerging Better Plan. Gonzales said, “I have spent my entire career in education, in education policy, specifically.” Her career began as a teacher on the U.S.-Mexico border, where she worked to empower English learners and Mexican nationals. Gonzales spoke about her commitment to student-focused outcomes, saying she would place focus on the importance of selecting a superintendent who shares her vision of improving student outcomes.
Josefina Dominguez was also nominated for the role of president. . “My personal history and the lived experience of my mixed family and my unique experience as an English language learner qualify me,” she said. Dominguez argued that meaningful progress in student outcomes hinges on changing adult behaviors, an insight she said was honed through a year of focusing on student outcomes training. She had argued that her experience as an English Language Learner gave her a unique insight into the challenges faced by bilingual students. During the public forum section of the meeting, members of the Albuquerque carpenters union thanked Dominguez for her support of labor and asked the board to elect a “labor-friendly” president.
Dominguez nominated herself for candidacy, this required the board to confirm that self-nominations were acceptable. Board Member Courtney Jackson then nominated Gonzales for candidacy.
In a 4-3 vote, Gonzales was elected as the new president of the Board of Education.
Astorga, Jackson, and Tapia Romero voted for Gonzales, who voted for herself.
Vice President
The election for the vice president brought two candidates to the front, Crystal Tapia Romero and Tome-Warito.
Tapia cited her experience serving on the Early Learning Advisory Council, appointed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. “I feel confident I can keep the momentum and continue doing what is best for our students,” she said.
Tome-Warito argued her 26-year history of advocating for children with disabilities and Native American students, and her understanding of these challenges, qualified her for the role. “My expertise is not one to go lightly. I have been an advocate for our native American children and children with disabilities for 26 years. I understand the outsides and insides of a successful educational program. I am very aware of the deficiencies of what is occurring within this district, and I also know that we need to work together but it’s going to take expertise.”
Tapia was nominated by Jackson, Tome-Warito was nominated by Dominguez.
Tome-Warito emerged victorious, securing the role of vice president in a 4-3 vote.
Astorga, Benevidez, and Dominguez voted for Tome-Warito who voted for herself.
Secretary
New board members Janelle Astorga and Heather Benevidez expressed their interest in serving as secretary. Astorga stressed her experience as a student and eagerness to bring fresh perspectives to the role, saying that she has a desire to serve the APS community. Astorga said that her age is a tool that can be used on the executive committee, allowing her to better understand the struggles of students at APS today.
Benevidez, drawing from her extensive insights as a parent for almost 21 years and her past role as a municipal and magistrate judge, expressed her motivation for seeking the role, highlighting her organizational skills and her experience as a judge.
Astorga and Benevidez nominated themselves for the role.
Astorga was elected to the position of secretary in a 4-3 vote.
Gonzales, Tapia Romero, and Jackson voted for Astora, who voted for herself.
Committee Chairs
APS has three standing committees which are chaired by members of the board: finance, policy, and audit. Committee chairs have the responsibility of setting agendas and directing committees to complete their work. Gonzales explained that the board must hold an election for the finance and policy chairs, but APS rules state the vice president shall serve as the chair of the audit committee.
Policy Chair
Dominguez nominated herself, and Gonzales nominated Board Member Courtney Jackson to the position of policy committee chair.
Dominguez expressed her eagerness to lead the Policy Committee. She emphasized the importance of cultural and linguistic awareness in policy development, stressing the need to honor heritage, language, and culture while striving for student proficiency. On the discussion of student proficiency, Dominguez said she “has a particular interest and concern about” Goal 1 and 2 in the APS Emerging Better Strategic Plan. Both goals seek to improve student proficiency in English Language Arts and mathematics by 10 percent by 2028. “We will get our kids proficient only after we honor [their] heritage, language and culture,” she said, arguing that it takes 12 years to become proficient at language.
Jackson said the chair’s primary responsibility is to work through policy structure and statements, rather than dictating specific policy recommendations. Jackson said she understands the nuances of policy development and administration, and argued that her experience with Robert’s Rules of Order make her qualified for the role.
Dominguez was nominated by Benevidez, Jackson was nominated by Tapia Romero.
Dominguez was elected to the policy chair position in a 4-3 vote.
Astorga, Tome-Warito, and Benevidez voted for Dominguez, who voted for herself.
Finance Chair
Board Member Crystal Tapia Romero was nominated to be finance committee chair. Tapia Romero was nominated by Jackson and was elected unanimously as she was the only nominee for finance committee chair.
The Future of APS
At the conclusion of the meeting, Gonzales thanked the community for their interest in the APS Board of Education. She then spoke about the future of APS. She said the board is in the process of selecting the next superintendent, and will be working to achieve goals laid out in the Emerging Better Strategic Plan.
Gonzales said that APS is “working really intently to ensure that we’re building safe, equitable learning environments and focusing on school climate for our students.” She also said that the future of APS needs to listen more to students, saying that she would like to have a student serve in some capacity on the board of education.
“The biggest decision that we’re going to make as a new board is going to be selecting our next superintendent,” Gonzales said. “I am committed to staying focused on student outcomes, to choosing a leader who is focused on student outcomes, and then to supporting that leader and evaluating that leader to make sure we’re working collectively to improve student outcomes.”
In a sternly-worded letter addressed to district leaders, New Mexico’s Secretary of Education, Arsenio Romero, has issued a call for accountability in the state’s education system, citing concerns over persistently low-performing schools and the need for excellence.
In the letter, Romero expressed alarm over the high number of under-performing schools and the impact this has on the state’s students and its future. He wrote, “Far too many of our schools are under-performing, and students statewide have low reading and math proficiencies. This is unacceptable. It is time for accountability.”
While there was a four percent statewide increase in reading proficiency for the 2022-2023 school year, there was also a slight decrease in math proficiency. The statewide reading proficiency was reported at 38 percent, while math proficiency was lower at 24 percent.
Romero underscored the need for accountability at all levels of the education system, writing, “We owe this accountability to our state’s most precious resource: children.” He called for a break from the status quo and demanded excellence from everyone involved in New Mexico’s education system.
Romero also highlighted success stories in the data, pointing out that improvements in reading scores were observed across various student subgroups, including English language learners, students with disabilities, economically disadvantaged students, and Native American students. The notable progress in reading proficiency among Native American students, rising five percentage points above 2022 results, was particularly encouraging.
Despite these bright spots, Romero acknowledged the persistent low student achievement results and achievement gaps that have plagued New Mexico’s public schools for decades. He stressed the need for change and called on all stakeholders to embrace a bold vision for accountability.
Romero’s letter also touched on the significant financial investments made in the state’s education system since 2019 by Governor Lujan Grisham and the legislature. However, he noted that historic academic gains had not followed these investments, especially for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Romero wrote, “Gov. Lujan Grisham and New Mexico legislators have invested billions of dollars in the state’s education system since 2019 – levels never before seen in history – but historic academic gains have not followed. Statewide, barely a third of students are proficient in reading and less than a quarter are proficient in math, and these results are worse for students from low-income families and with disabilities, English learners, and Native American students. That must change.”
Romero went on to write that the PED is working on its budget, and, “NMPED’s proposed budget to the legislature this year will be focused on accountability.”
The letter concluded with a call to action, urging parents, teachers, administrators, policymakers, and the community, to come together and work towards building a brighter future for New Mexico’s children.
