School Board backs public input before school building decisions
The short version
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The School Board backed a districtwide public input process on school buildings and enrollment.
The resolution says the district will listen and gather input, with no recommendations about specific schools during this phase. It passed 6-0, with Board Member Astorga absent.
What it means for youParents, staff and neighbors will be asked for input before the superintendent brings the board any proposal on closures, consolidations or boundary changes.
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District leaders said falling enrollment has left schools with too much empty space.
Staff wrote that enrollment declines have created significant excess facility capacity and are stretching operational resources thin. The resolution says enrollment has dropped over the past two decades.
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District leaders proposed new reading and math targets for the last two years of the board's five-year goals.
Early reading goals would rise three percentage points a year, because staff said they are on track. Math goals are off track, so staff proposed keeping growth at two points a year.
What it means for youThe goals track reading in first and second grade and math in sixth and seventh grade for students named in the Yazzie-Martinez court decision plus African American students.
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Public speakers raised food service hours, cashless payments, the Amira reading program and library books.
The minutes list topics, not speakers or their positions.
What people said
- Support for maintenance and food service workers, and more work with fewer hours in food service.
- Cashless payments and the barriers speakers said they cause for students.
- Use of the Amira reading program in classrooms and whether parents are told.
- Books available in school libraries.
- Elective choices, children's health and wellness, and community engagement.
- Shariah law, and the agenda's interim goals and school facilities items.
What’s next
- The next School Board meeting is Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 5 p.m. at 6400 Uptown Blvd. NE, also livestreamed at APS.edu.
- A special work session will be held online Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 5 p.m., on the board's YouTube channel.
- The superintendent must give the board a summary of what the public said before bringing any proposal on school closures, consolidations or boundary changes. No date was given.
Everything on the agenda (7 items)
Decided by vote 2
The board approved the minutes of its Sept. 2 meeting. Board Members Astorga and Bowman were absent for the vote.
The board backs the superintendent in leading a districtwide public input process on long-term building and enrollment planning. No recommendations about specific schools will be made during this phase. The superintendent must summarize the public's feedback before proposing closures, consolidations or boundary changes.
For you: Students, families, school staff and neighborhoods that could be affected by future decisions about school buildings.
Reports, presentations and discussion 5
The board recognized the Eldorado High School Drumline and students from schools including Valle Vista Elementary, Atrisco Heritage Academy High School, La Cueva High School and Tres Volcanes Community Collaborative.
Staff proposed new targets for the last two years of the five-year goals. First-grade reading would go from 17.0% in May 2023 to 29.0% in May 2028, and second grade from 18.3% to 30.3%. Sixth-grade math would go from 16.6% to 26.6%, and seventh grade from 13.0% to 23.0%. Members discussed raising the bar and lining up science of reading standards with Amira.
For you: Students named in the Yazzie-Martinez court decision plus African American students, whose results these goals track.
Staff presented the "Planning Together for the Future of APS" plan to deal with ongoing enrollment declines. Board members discussed the timeline, next steps, community engagement events and gathering data.
For you: Families, staff and neighbors of Albuquerque public schools.
Superintendent Duran Blakey recognized Hispanic Heritage Month and noted that state test results were released. She also celebrated the opening of Harrison Middle School's new wing for physical education and performing arts.
Board President Tome-Warito raised concerns about what the minutes call the Rio Grande River crisis. She also talked about patience while waiting for results and keeping the focus on students.
What the record doesn’t say
- Which schools, if any, could be considered for closure, consolidation or boundary changes later.
- When the public input process starts and how residents can take part.
- What the public input process will cost.
- Whether or when the board will formally adopt the revised reading and math goals.
- How many people spoke during public comment, and what positions they took.
- Who presided over the meeting; the minutes don't say.
Meeting details
- Meeting
- Regular meeting, 5:01 p.m.–7:08 p.m.
- Where
- John Milne Community Board Room, Alice and Bruce King Education Complex, 6400 Uptown Blvd. NE, Albuquerque
- Attendance
- Five members at the start; Board Member Bowman joined at 6:25 p.m.; Board Member Astorga 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