School Board takes first look at rewrite of its rulebook
The short version
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The School Board held a first read of its draft Governance Manual. The manual is the rulebook for how the board runs itself and oversees the district.
A committee led by Board Member Benavidez proposed the changes. The schedule calls for the draft to be posted for a 30-day public review.
What it means for youResidents can comment on the draft during the 30-day public review.
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Board members get two more weeks to send in their own changes.
A request was made to give members two weeks, which makes revisions due Sept. 23. Members were encouraged to work with their coaches on the changes they suggest.
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The board's student goals and its limits on the superintendent can't change until 2028.
Members were told the goals and guardrails cannot be revised until 2028. One current goal is to raise third-grade reading proficiency for some student groups from 27.3% in May 2023 to 37.3% in May 2028.
What it means for youThis review does not change the district's student achievement targets.
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Members praised the wording changes, including switching "will" to "shall" throughout.
Members also talked about the training state law requires of board members. They discussed how they will see public comments after the review period.
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A second read is set for Oct. 28. A final vote comes later.
The Oct. 28 online work session is set to go over public comments and board members' suggestions. The schedule then calls for a third read and final vote at a regular Board of Education meeting.
What it means for youThe new rules are not final until that vote.
What’s next
- The draft manual is set to be posted for a 30-day public review, with public comment gathered.
- Board members' revisions are due Sept. 23.
- Regular School Board meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 5 p.m. at the Alice and Bruce King Educational Complex, 6400 Uptown Blvd. NE. It will also be livestreamed.
- Online work session on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 5 p.m. The schedule makes it the second read of the manual, covering public comments.
- After that, the schedule calls for a third read and final vote on the manual at a regular Board of Education meeting.
Everything on the agenda (1 items)
Reports, presentations and discussion 1
The board discussed a draft rewrite of its Governance Manual. The manual covers the board's student goals, its limits on the superintendent, and how board members must behave. A committee led by Board Member Benavidez made the recommendations. Members set Sept. 23 as the deadline for their own revisions. They were told the goals and guardrails cannot be revised until 2028.
Internal: Residents who want a say in how the School Board governs itself can comment during the 30-day public review.
What the record doesn’t say
- The minutes do not say who led the meeting. Board Member Tome-Warito signs the minutes as President.
- The record does not say how residents can send comments during the 30-day review.
- The record does not list which changes the committee recommended, beyond what the draft shows.
- The minutes do not record any public comment at this meeting.
Meeting details
- Meeting
- Special meeting (work session), 5:02 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
- Where
- Virtual, livestreamed on the APS Board of Education YouTube Channel
- Attendance
- Six of seven members present; Board Member Martinez 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