School Board declares district land in tech park surplus
The short version
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The School Board declared two tracts of district land in the Sandia Science & Technology Park surplus.
The tracts measure 25.9414 acres and 11.0132 acres. The vote was 6-0, and members discussed the planned use of the land for students and the community and the project's vision with CNM.
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The board approved changes to three union contracts: food service workers, maintenance and operations workers, and school police officers.
The two Communications Workers of America contracts passed 5-0 after Board Member Astorga stepped aside because she is a member of that union. The school police contract passed 6-0 without discussion.
What it means for youMembers discussed higher wages for food service workers.
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The board approved six purchases of $500,000 or more in one vote, along with grant budgets and June spending.
The purchases cover solar hot water systems, boiler service, green-building consulting, restoration and repair, student mental health providers, and substitute teacher staffing. The group, which also included a $40,000 Outdoor Equity Fund grant change, passed 6-0.
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Speakers at the public forum raised Amira testing, the land sale, classroom heat, and pay for district workers.
Other topics included nicotine policies, AI in classrooms, literacy tests, and curriculum. The superintendent later acknowledged the concerns about Amira and pointed to a new information website about it.
What people said
- District policies on nicotine.
- Amira testing and student literacy tests.
- The administration's request to declare 37 acres of district land surplus.
- AI use in classrooms and curriculum.
- Temperatures in classrooms.
- Paying district employees a livable wage so the district stops using contractors.
What’s next
- The next School Board meeting is Wednesday, Aug. 19, at 5 p.m. at the Alice and Bruce King Educational Complex, 6400 Uptown Blvd. NE. It will be livestreamed at APS.edu.
- According to the July 15 minutes, the board will decide on Aug. 19 whether to approve the proposed Andalusia Natural Sciences Academy charter school.
Everything on the agenda (19 items)
Decided by vote 3
The board declared two district-owned tracts in the Sandia Science & Technology Park surplus. One is 25.9414 acres and the other is 11.0132 acres. Members discussed the planned use of the land for students and the community and the project's vision with CNM.
For you: Residents interested in what happens to the district land; the record does not say who will use it.
The board approved changes to the contract with the Communications Workers of America unit for food and nutrition services workers. Members discussed higher wages, but the record gives no amounts. Board Member Astorga stepped aside because she is a member of that union.
For you: District food service workers.
The board approved changes to the contract with the Communications Workers of America unit for maintenance and operations workers. Members discussed workers using the available advancement programs. Board Member Astorga stepped aside because she is a member of that union.
For you: District maintenance and operations workers.
Passed together without discussion 13
The calendar sets when the board reviews its student goals. The changes line reviews up with testing timelines and make sure the board looks at at least one goal each month. It replaces a five-year calendar the board adopted in July 2023.
The board accepted progress reports on its rule that resources not be divided unfairly, including long-term substitute coverage at schools.
The board approved starting grant budgets for the new budget year. The record does not give the total.
The board approved a $40,000 budget adjustment for an Outdoor Equity Fund grant.
The board approved June 2026 transfers within grant budgets and within other district funds.
The board approved spending of $500,000 or more on the design, installation and service of solar hot water systems. The record does not name the vendor or the amount.
The board approved spending of $500,000 or more on boiler services. The record does not name the vendor or the amount.
The board approved spending of $500,000 or more on consulting for green-building certification (known as LEED). The record does not name the vendor or the amount.
The board approved spending of $500,000 or more on restoration and repair services as needed. The record does not name the vendor or the amount.
The board approved spending of $500,000 or more on student mental health providers in schools. The record does not name the providers or the amount.
For you: Students who receive mental health services at school.
The board approved spending of $500,000 or more on temporary staffing for substitute teachers and substitute education assistants. The record does not name the vendor or the amount.
For you: Students and staff in classrooms covered by substitutes.
The board approved the district's cash payments for June 2026. The record does not give the total.
The board approved changes to the contract with the Educational Police Officers Association. The record does not describe the changes.
For you: District school police officers.
Reports, presentations and discussion 3
The district introduced new principals and leaders. They include Rae Lynn Dooley at Highland High School, Ken Merhege at Valley High School, and Wilson Holland as Assistant Superintendent of High Schools.
For you: Families at schools with new principals.
The superintendent talked about back-to-school preparations and said district leaders are adopting schools and visiting them on the first two days of school. She acknowledged the recent concerns about Amira, guidance from the state Public Education Department, and a new information website about Amira.
For you: Families and students starting the school year.
The board president spoke about trust, advocating for students, careful governance, and effective guardrails.
What the record doesn’t say
- The minutes don't say who presided.
- What happens next with the surplus land: whether it will be sold or transferred, to whom, and for how much.
- The vendors and dollar amounts for the six purchases of $500,000 or more.
- The wage changes and costs in the three union contracts.
- How many people spoke at the public forum.
- What the $40,000 Outdoor Equity Fund grant pays for, and the totals of the grant budgets and June payments.
Meeting details
- Meeting
- regular, 5:00 p.m.–6:44 p.m.
- Where
- John Milne Community Board Room, Alice and Bruce King Education Complex, 6400 Uptown Blvd. NE, Albuquerque
- Attendance
- Six of seven members present; Board Member Warigia Bowman absent.
- 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