STILL IN THE PICTURE:

billion-plus budget. One of the biggest decisions the school board approved recently is the new academic calendar, which extends the school year and changes the start times for some elementary and middle schools by as much as an hour and a half earlier.

The APS board holds regular meetings every first and third Wednesday of the month. The meetings are open to the community, and public forums are a part of the regular meetings. This is a way folks can get involved in the happenings at their neighborhood school. To be heard at the forum, you need to sign up on the day of the meeting before it starts. As of press time, the next regular school board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 2 at 5pm at Alice and Bruce King Educational Complex, John Milne Community Board Room, 6400 Uptown Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110. You can also attend virtually. Previous board meetings are posted on the APS YouTube channel.

Superintendent Switchover

The other big change on the horizon for Albuquerque Public Schools is the superintendent. Scott Elder is stepping down as superintendent after his contract expires next year. The school board says it plans to have a replacement by spring 2024. Elder, who’s spent decades working in APS, served as superintendent during the pandemic. He led the change to remote learning and back again. According to an article in the Albuquerque Journal, the school board plans to revamp the superintendent’s job description and even look to outside firms to help in its search for a new superintendent.

Keep a lookout for ongoing coverage of the upcoming school board election in future issues of the UpLift Chronicles!