School Board adopts governance commitment resolution on split vote
The short version
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The School Board adopted a resolution committing to its governance approach, on a split vote.
It passed 5-2. Board Members Benavidez, Astorga, Tome-Warito, Jackson and Martinez voted yes, and Board Members Betzen and Bowman voted no.
What it means for youMembers discussed focusing on student outcomes and building relationships with the community.
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The board approved a purchase of $500,000 or more for psychological services for special education students.
Members discussed psychology services delivered remotely, hiring permanent psychologists and possible delays in services. It passed 6-0, with Board Member Betzen absent for the vote.
What it means for youThis affects special education students who need psychological services.
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The board approved Clear Channel billboard leases at four high schools.
The leases cover Cibola, Del Norte, Eldorado and Manzano high schools and still need approval from the New Mexico State Board of Finance. They passed 7-0.
What it means for youBillboards are planned for those four campuses.
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The board changed the budgets of five grants, including a cut of $2.4 million to a housing program.
The Hard-2-Staff grant goes up by $1,535,000, and the Housing Stabilization Project goes down by $2,400,000. It passed 6-0, with Board Member Bowman absent.
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Members talked about meeting once a month instead of twice.
Under the idea, the board would meet on the first Wednesday of each month and hold a work session in the third week. Members discussed less time for public comment and the open meetings law. No vote was taken.
What it means for youIf the board makes this change later, residents would have fewer regular meetings where they can speak.
What people said
- Child abuse.
- The board's meeting schedule and staff salaries.
- Staff voice and support (the board's Guardrail 5).
- Psychological services in special education.
- Children's health and well-being.
- Sharia.
What’s next
- The next School Board meeting is Wednesday, June 17, at 5 p.m. at the Alice and Bruce King Educational Complex, 6400 Uptown Blvd. NE. It will also stream online at APS.edu.
- Five board members planned to attend a New Mexico School Boards conference June 4-6.
Everything on the agenda (25 items)
Decided by vote 19
The board approved the minutes of its May 6 meeting and its May 13 special meeting.
The board adopted a resolution committing to its governance approach. Members discussed whether to keep the Student Outcomes Focused Governance framework, said they felt limited in how they can talk to staff, and talked about updating the governance manual.
Hard-2-Staff goes up $1,535,000. Johnson O'Malley goes up $125,639. School Bus Cameras goes up $15,000. The Housing Stabilization Project goes down $2,400,000. PreK-Homeless home visiting goes down $365,186.
For you: Students and families served by these grant programs.
The board approved April 2026 transfers of grant money between spending categories. The record gives no amounts.
The board approved April 2026 transfers of grant money within spending categories. The record gives no amounts.
The board approved the district's IDEA-B application for 2026-2027. The record does not give the amount or explain what the application covers.
The board approved April 2026 transfers within spending categories for all non-grant funds. The record gives no amounts.
The board approved the yearly increases and decreases to the district's cash balances. The record gives no amounts.
The board approved a budget increase to the operating fund for the budget year ending June 2026. It covers state funding (the State Equalization Guarantee) and administrative revenue from charter schools the district authorizes. The record gives no amount.
The board approved a budget increase to the student transportation fund. The staff report is titled "Interest Income." The record gives no amount.
The board accepted $13,679.50 for Volcano Vista High School from the school's Track & Field Booster Club, and $10,000 for Dolores Gonzales Elementary School from APT Family Giving.
For you: Students at Volcano Vista High and Dolores Gonzales Elementary.
The board approved the list of equipment taken out of service from March 1-31. Members asked what happens to the equipment and to any money it brings in.
The board approved the district's 2026-2027 application for funding under the Fine Arts Education Act. The record gives no amount.
For you: Students in fine arts programs.
The board approved a purchase of $500,000 or more for psychological services in special education. Members discussed psychology services delivered remotely, the lack of New Mexico companies, hiring permanent psychologists, relying less on long-term contracts, and student IEP requirements. The record gives no exact cost, vendor or term.
For you: Special education students and their families.
The board approved a purchase of $500,000 or more for custodial supplies ordered as needed. Members discussed how long the contract runs.
The board approved a purchase of $500,000 or more for diesel fuel for student transportation. Members discussed fuel prices, electric buses and natural gas buses.
For you: Students who ride school buses.
The board approved fleet service contracts for the budget year ending June 2027 with Beal Bus Co., Albert Sanchez Bus Co. and a third contractor. The record gives no amounts.
For you: Students who ride school buses.
The board approved four leases with Clear Channel Outdoor, LLC for billboards at Cibola, Del Norte, Eldorado and Manzano high schools. It noted that the State Board of Finance must also approve them and let the superintendent or the deputy superintendent for operations sign. Members asked how the sites were picked and how much income the leases bring.
For you: Neighbors and students at those four high schools.
The board approved the district's April 2026 payments. The minutes give no total.
Passed together without discussion 1
The board accepted reports on its staff voice and support goals. The packet says 41% of teaching staff said the district offered high-quality training, which is five points below the 46% goal. Members were told that these reports usually pass with other items in one vote.
For you: District teachers and other staff.
Reports, presentations and discussion 5
Several people were recognized for improving student achievement, as part of the New Mexico School Boards Association's Excellence in Student Achievement recognitions.
Members discussed holding one board meeting on the first Wednesday of each month and a work session in the third week. They talked about the pros and cons, less time for public comment, and what the open meetings law requires.
For you: Residents who speak at or attend board meetings.
Board Member Astorga said the board handed out nearly 300 APS stadium bags at the game. A college and career fair there had 20 vendors. The 310 tickets bought through the APS link raised $1,240 for the APS Education Foundation.
Superintendent Durán Blakey talked about summer learning, including Storytime in the Park, the NM Summer Reading program and high school credit recovery. She said APS is working with the city to give free meals to students 18 and younger.
For you: Families with school-age children this summer.
Board President Tome-Warito said five board members will attend a New Mexico School Boards conference June 4-6. She also tied a Dr. Seuss book to the board's governance work.
What the record doesn’t say
- What the governance commitment resolution actually says.
- The exact cost, vendor and length of the psychological services, custodial supplies and diesel fuel purchases.
- How much income the four Clear Channel billboard leases bring the district.
- The dollar amounts of the budget increases, the transfers, the April payments and the fine arts and IDEA-B applications.
- Whether or when the board will vote on moving to monthly meetings.
- How many people spoke during public comment.
- Who presided over the meeting; the minutes do not say.
Meeting details
- Meeting
- regular, 5:01 p.m.–8 p.m.
- Where
- John Milne Community Board Room, Alice and Bruce King Education Complex, 6400 Uptown Blvd. NE, Albuquerque
- Attendance
- All members present; Board Member Bowman stepped out from 6:08 to 6:11 p.m.
- Written from
- From the approved minutes.
Written by AI from the official record and checked by code against it: every dollar figure, vote, number, date and member’s name must appear in the record’s own words, or the summary is held. Not reviewed by a person. Residents are not named. How these are made · All Albuquerque meetings