School Board takes over closing duties for Voz Collegiate charter school
The short version
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The School Board voted to have Albuquerque Public Schools take over bank signing power and closing duties for Voz Collegiate Preparatory Charter School.
Board members asked why the school is closing, how many students are affected, how student records will move, and who pays the school's bills. The vote was 7-0.
What it means for youFamilies of Voz Collegiate students are affected.
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The School Board let the board president and superintendent sign papers to get state matching funds for eight school building projects.
Packet letters name Eldorado, Highland, Mary Ann Binford, Tomasita, Apache, Hayes, Chaparral and New Futures. The vote was 7-0, without discussion.
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The district reported that more graduates earned college or career credentials, beating the board's goal for 2028.
Staff said 52.8 percent of 2025-2026 graduates earned the credentials, above the 49.6% goal. Students with disabilities were at 22%.
What it means for youHigh school students and families can expect more college-credit, career and Bilingual Seal options, the district says.
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The superintendent addressed parent concerns about the Amira reading assessment.
She pointed to feedback from the teachers union and opt-out options shared in a letter to parents. The board president also spoke about Amira and AI concerns.
What it means for youParents can opt their children out of Amira, according to the superintendent's report.
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The School Board approved a revised grant application narrative for school improvement and for School on Wheels.
Staff called the changes minor and about logistics. It passed 7-0, without discussion.
What people said
- Amira and the use of AI in the classroom
- Child abuse within the school
- Community engagement
- Living wages for service employees
- Children's health and well-being
- Support for the Academies of Albuquerque
What’s next
- The next School Board meeting is Wednesday, Sept. 2, at 5:00 p.m. at the Alice and Bruce King Educational Complex, 6400 Uptown Blvd. NE, and livestreamed at APS.edu.
- Ninth graders from several high schools will attend the district's Career Expo on Nov. 5, the district's plan says.
- The district plans a Freshman Academy at every comprehensive high school by August 2027.
Everything on the agenda (9 items)
Decided by vote 2
The board approved the minutes of its Aug. 5 meeting.
The board moved bank signing power and closing duties for Voz Collegiate Preparatory Charter School to Albuquerque Public Schools. Board members discussed why the school is closing, the audit, how many students are affected, moving student records, compliance concerns and who pays the school's bills.
For you: Voz Collegiate students and their families.
Passed together without discussion 2
The board approved its revised narrative for the 2026-2027 School Improvement and Transformation Grant application and a graduation rate application for School on Wheels. Staff said the changes were minor. The record gives no grant amount.
For you: Students at School on Wheels and schools in the improvement program.
The board let the board president and superintendent sign all papers needed for the state's school building matching funds process on eight district building projects. Packet letters name Eldorado, Highland, Mary Ann Binford, Tomasita, Apache, Hayes, Chaparral and New Futures. No amounts are given.
For you: Students, staff and neighbors of the schools named.
Reports, presentations and discussion 5
The board recognized high schools for notable gains last year, including Del Norte, Eldorado, Highland, La Cueva, Manzano, Rio Grande, Sandia, Valley, Volcano Vista and West Mesa.
For you: Students and families at the recognized high schools.
Staff reported that 52.8 percent of 2025-2026 graduates earned credit in two or more Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or dual credit courses, or an industry certification or Bilingual Seal. The board's goal is 49.6% by September 2028. Students with disabilities were at 22%. Board members asked about credit recovery, timely grades, budget limits, and goals for students with disabilities, and talked about whether the goal should be harder.
For you: High school students and their families.
Board Member Astorga, who chairs the committee, talked about fair representation, responding to community feedback, and upcoming chances for the public to take part.
For you: Residents who want to give the board feedback.
The superintendent talked about the start of the school year, school visits and the opening of the Duranes Early Childhood Center. She addressed concerns about the Amira assessment and pointed to opt-out options in a letter to parents.
For you: Parents of students taking the Amira assessment.
Board President Tome-Warito reported that the Andalusia Natural Sciences Academy charter school application was withdrawn. She also spoke about the need for technology safeguards for students.
What the record doesn’t say
- Why Voz Collegiate is closing, how many students it serves, and where they will go.
- How much state matching money the eight building projects may get and what work is planned.
- The dollar amount of the school improvement grant and the School on Wheels application.
- How parents can opt their children out of the Amira assessment.
- How many people spoke during public forum.
Meeting details
- Meeting
- regular, 5:01 p.m.–7:29 p.m.
- Where
- John Milne Community Board Room, Alice and Bruce King Education Complex, 6400 Uptown Blvd. NE, Albuquerque
- Presiding
- Board President Ronalda Tome-Warito
- Attendance
- All seven board members present
- 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