Alamogordo Public School District leaders remain busy reassuring parents that they are listening to concerns about student safety. Conspicuously absent was Interim Superintendent Pam Renteria, who made her pitch only after criticism from the Alamogordo mayor about the fatal shooting of an eighth grader at Oregon Park.
Wise persons never presume that self-proclaimed listeners can grasp the depth of real problems or implement meaningful solutions. Alamogordo parents should question APS leadership, similar to the unease when hearing, “We’re from the government and here to help.”
The hard facts and how this debacle will be investigated are consistently absent from the APS assurances. Everybody will be questioned, including the APS administration; crucial inquiries still require attention. Here is a critical examination of the APS Public Relations spin article in an Alamogordo Daily News report titled, “APS listening, working on solutions,” dated November 1, 2023.
APS leaders report that they are “working towards solutions to keep kids on campus . . . when classes are in session.” If APS thinks this idea is original, it’s a sad day for parents. In addition, with all the reported facts on the four-tier process, which categorizes student attendance and the “non-punitive” consequences if absences continue, according to the New Mexico Public Education Department’s website, how exactly has this reputation for large groups of students at Oregon Park remained?
The effectiveness of fencing, closed parking, front door check-ins, patrolling security officers, a paid truant officer, the mighty 2020 Secure Campus Policy, and the “APS High School Handbook on page 57 [emphasis added], in which students must remain on campus for the entirety of the school day,” appear suspect. It seems to have taken a murder to pressure action instead of continuing to ignore the wasted costs for security and the “large crowds of students gathered at Oregon Park, even when they should be in school.” APS may now have to develop an attendance process more advanced than writing policies that allow obtaining state funding based on the presumption that students are present in class.
“[Interim]Superintendent Renteria’s assurances come only days after [being] criticized.” However, leadership is not defined by Ignoring longstanding risks only to “assure [the public] within days” following criticism.
Great spin is evidenced when layers of detail are craftily woven. However, how many of the pieces are trustworthy after the article states: “The teen cocked the gun inside his pocket”? Some reassurance: At least all agree that a plan is needed to “address the long-troubled park.” But should it take a murder for APS to investigate a longstanding issue?
This is an observation on the points that seemingly gloss over the reputation of attracting students when they should be in school. Not stated is the reality that truant students are either in severe trouble or causing trouble. APS must protect students, so how has this reputation continued?
This is another instance where APS reports on meetings for policy change without cooperating with the stakeholders. Was the intent simply appearances: conduct a meeting, proclaim policy change, and be done? It was a weak cover when APS explained that it hears concerns from parents and residents and plans to work with the local government. More assurances: We’re here to help.
Renteria clarified that an Oct. 16 school meeting was to get questions answered. Not to solve long-term problems, not to plan, but was strictly about an immediate reaction to the tragedy. Renteria “wanted to make sure that we were all communicating.” Leadership does not explain what APS cannot do.
But critics say the damage has been done. Leadership is exemplified when a lack of trust in APS for the safety of students results in directed change. Leadership is evident in the example set by Col. Alfred Rosales School Board Holloman Ex Officio speaking on behalf of the Holloman Air Force Base Leadership Team. Following their days of meeting on student safety at APS, not days and days of waiting, Rosales noted at the regular School Board meeting that “in light of that tragedy,” they will protect their children by moving military-connected students onto an “Alamogordo High School satellite campus on base.”
Renteria said the district will continue to work with elected officials toward solutions that keep students in school. Leadership is NOT continuing to do the same worthless activities of the past. Everybody must ask, ‘Do I believe in the APS administration’? Please vote in the upcoming school board election. Fundamental changes are needed.
