GET READY FOR LEADERSHIP CHANGES AT ALBUQUERQUE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) will be going through major leadership changes over the coming year. Three of the seven APS Board seats are up for election in November. To top it off, Superintendent Scott Elder announced his resignation last month. His last day is June 30, 2024, so the school board is gearing up for a new superintendent search.

Aps Board Changes

The school board election will be on the ballot come November 7. The seats up for reelection are District 1, District 2, and District 4. District 1 covers the South Valley; District 2 covers the Northwest part of town; and District 4 includes the International District, Nob Hill, and Uptown. Those running for a seat on the school board will declare their candidacy on August 29 of this year. Anyone interested in running for their district’s school board has to file a Declaration of Candidacy with the County Clerk on Tuesday, August 29, between 9am and 5pm at the Bernalillo County Alvarado Square Commission Chambers, 415 Silver Ave. SW, first floor.

APS board duties include hiring the superintendent, improving student outcomes, and overseeing a 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!