As it is THIS WILL NOT DO! When it comes to our local school system, Alamogordo Public Schools – New Mexico is the LAST in the nation and has held that embarrassing title for a few years. So, why isn’t anything improving? Even when Supt Moore would make statements touting the high school was rated as third in its category, that is not saying much. We are still LAST.
- The teachers and employees work in a toxic environment of fear and intimidation. That would be an easy one to fix but it’s not being addressed.
- Employees are not being treated equitably. Under similar circumstances, there is unfairness in discipline. Administrative Leave is paid in one instance and not the other. Investigations of the circumstances surrounding the final determination of an Admin Leave are not completed in an appropriate and expeditious manner costing APS unneeded expense.
- The School Board wants the residents to pass more funding in November yet they spend money wastefully without blinking an eye. Just taking care of employee investigations and not letting them linger would save many thousands of dollars but that is not a priority. How about responding to IPRAs? With the current lawsuits that racked up a potential $2.7 million dollars. Not to worry. It’s not your money being wasted – IT’S OURS!
- The New Chaparral Middle School is an issue that leaves one speechless in the manner it has been handled. There have been numerous statements over the years by both Supt Moore and Colleen Tagle about the need for 10 million dollars more in order to begin building Chaparral. There is such gross mishandling of the project involving YEARS of nonsense. Now the cost is breathtaking and will continue to rise due to the continued fiasco.
- Where is the NEA? The teachers are shuffled to and fro without discussion or consent. Are they not supposed to be advocating for them? Shuffling teachers, employees and even administrators regularly creates instability. Why is this happening?
- Where are the multiple committees or task forces promised 8 months ago by Acting Supt Renteria to have committees of volunteers, and residents to weigh in on problem areas? Under the circumstances and multitudes of problems plaguing local education, it would be a wise, excellent source of experience and maturity similar to a group of subject matter experts to provide differing viewpoints. Where are those committees? Nothing on the APS website. These groups are not to be from within APS but local citizens from different backgrounds. Plus it would build positive relationships and goodwill in town. There is a huge resource available right now that you have stiff-armed and ignored because of what? You want total control? It is not a weakness but a strength and confidence to ask for input. This is a community item – education.
- PTO’s at each school really have no input any longer. They have been relegated to fundraising organizations.
- Special Education has many problems starting with the issue of an inappropriately licensed person heading the department. Is there a waiver that is legal to allow this?
- The APS School Board has ONE employee – the Superintendent. The Board says they cannot get involved in personnel matters. However, if there are big problems as listed above that jeopardize the smooth functioning of a school district and cause lawsuits, the School Board can find out what is going on from the Superintendent and find out options for correction. If not doing so, that is negligence on your part and should increase the amount of legal settlements or lawsuits. Hear that plaintiffs and attorneys! Are you even concerned about that?
- It’s difficult to determine if the entire school board even knows what is truly going on or if they are being given limited information. The sad part is that there is evidence of all of the above. Why is this not being taken care of?
- We are a small town and understand the “good ole boy” system. The education of our children is paramount. The way the educators and employees are treated is of concern to us. If you have your own business in this town you have the right to run it and conduct business as you choose as long as it’s legal. However, the APS System is responsible to the community on many levels – whether you like it or not. Yes, we vote but your responsibility is to ensure the schools are run properly in finances, policies, and outcomes. The chain of command leads to the Superintendent. The Superintendent leads to ALL operations. The accountability is from you to the Superintendent and back to you. That part is seriously missing. You must hold the Superintendent accountable for the toxic work environment, all Human Resources actions, educational outcomes, and the integrity of ALL enforcement of policies and procedures.
- The community is the direct recipient of your actions – however, it appears attorneys and special interests are your audience. Your constituents did not give you a mandate to do what YOU wanted to do but what was best for the community. A School Board should ensure the school district is run professionally and efficiently. That is not happening. Instead, because of the actions and inactions, there are lawsuits with the threat of others to come. Do you understand that if you want that to stop, perhaps you should examine the causes, not just the symptoms, or instead blame the complainant? You strain at a gnat and swallow a camel. Make sure you are fully informed about what is going on because if you are in full knowledge of these issues and turn a blind eye then you are not worthy or capable of overseeing the education of our children. We EXPECT and DEMAND more.
- When you recognize and respect the people in our town and are interested in their input whether in the form of a question, complaint, or knowledgeable experience, please do not come to us right before each bond election asking for help. Do not try to get re-elected. You can spin your information like a top and tell us how desperate you are for money but we can all see and know what is going on. Yes, it’s good to hear about the accomplishments of a select group of students but we want to hear how EVERY student, teacher, and employee has been treated fairly and legally in a non-toxic work environment.
- We want to see effective policies that protect teachers and students alike, support the learning environment, and are enforced in every classroom and school without retaliation for so doing.
- We want to see the money spent wisely. We want to be able to believe what you say instead of gaslighting us. We want to know that building projects are handled in a timely, effective manner and without excuse and designed with funds in mind. We want to know that the School Board is following the Open Meetings Act and not gathering unofficially. Quit trying to “circle the wagons” and operating from denial. At the current moment, WE DO NOT TRUST YOU! WE HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN YOU!
All of the items above have easy fixes. If you do not understand the above-listed items, ASK!
NO CHANGE – “NO” VOTE!
YOU DON’T DESERVE TO HAVE THE FUNDING PASSED IN NOVEMBER IF YOU HAVE NO RESPECT FOR THE PEOPLE!
IF YOU MAKE THESE CHANGES, WE WILL SUPPORT YOUR EFFORTS TO PASS ADDITIONAL FUNDING. IN FACT, WE WILL BE ENCOURAGING YOU TO HAVE A VOTE SO WE CAN SUPPORT IT – IF YOU MAKE THE NEEDED CHANGES TO MAKE THE ALAMOGORDO PUBLIC SCHOOLS SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF AND NOT AN ENTITY RUN FROM A BACKROOM.