An email was obtained involving the current President of the APS School Board, Judy Rabon. Before the discussion of the email, many people say she is a nice person and they have known her since high school. Mrs Rabon’s family owns a very large construction company, Mesa Verde, Inc., and are prominent members of the community, well connected in the state and beyond. Also, Mrs Rabon should be commended for being of service to the community.
However, did something go wrong in that service to the community? That is a question to be answered after reading this article.
Previously mentioned were the accusations made by Supt Moore at a meeting against a community member who made a presentation. In watching videos of previous presentations made by this person(s), there was always an invitation for dialog with APS, if they questioned any information presented. In looking at the presentations, there was a name and email where contact, rebuttals, and questions could be sent. Nothing was secret. Also, these presentations had to be submitted to the Otero County office and City office prior to the date of the meeting for approval and posting in the agenda. These presentations were available for review by the public through the agenda posting prior to each meeting. According to the information obtained, the presenter(s) were never contacted personally or by email by any member of the APS School Board, Supt Moore, or any other employee of the Alamogordo Public School District.
An incident was uncovered regarding an email sent from an elected official, Rabon, who was using a personal email address on the Mesa Verde, Inc email domain and sent to a member of the City Council’s personal email address. So, what is the big deal about that? The email was conducting public business. First, all government communications in any form are to be conducted through and with official methods and means – “official” email addresses and “official” cell phone numbers. If the communication is on official methods and means, the information, actions, and content can be “discoverable” through an IPRA request (equivalent to a FOIA request). If an official wants to conceal the actions, then “personal” methods and means, like personal emails or text messages from personal cell phones are often used. This goes against transparency laws. If the documents or information is in the hands of the government agency (APS District Office) it is more apt to be included in the IPRA response. If the emails or documents originated from a personal source (Mesa Verde Inc email address or other sources) the chances of them being “voluntarily released” for an IPRA response is zero. What are the chances of Judy Rabon voluntarily handing over this document for an IPRA response? That is why it is important for all communications and documents to be conducted through official methods.
Officials are supposed to conduct business in the open with integrity and full transparency.
On Sept 27, 2022, this email from Rabon to the City Council member was for the sole purpose of shutting down or censoring a community member’s right to speak in an open City Commission meeting. The agenda for the meeting shows the presentation, “Alamogordo Public Schools Behind the Scenes” listed as the first entry on the second page. Upon review, the presentation contained data regarding the Alamogordo Public Schools that contradicted and exposed the information stated by the APS district. This information in the presentation included references from official sources. Rabon’s email consisted of lies and false accusations similar to the method used by Supt Moore at the Center for Commerce meeting on June 15, 2022. In reading the contents of the email sent by the President of the School Board, why was it so important to stop the public from knowing the activities and information of the APS District and School Board?
As stated above there had been NO contact nor communication from anyone on the school board or district office, yet the email is full of the meetings and communications with the presenter(s). Why the attempt to discredit the presenter(s) by misleading and lying to a City Commissioner to stop the presentation? Was the information being presented contradicting what APS was reporting? Information references are included in the presentation. Who is telling the truth?
Further, in the email, Rabon states, “I was once again troubled by his lack of correct information, innuendos, and lack of understanding of many topics he addresses.” “I am equally as troubled by the COA Commission giving a voice to this man and allowing a presentation of untruths without notifying the attacked party.” (emphasis mine) which she did not allow the presenter(s). She goes on to refer to the “random group to ‘present’ slanderous untruths as facts.” Rabon continues, “This gentleman has contacted us many times and we have attempted to explain to him and his group, the many areas in which he is incorrect. He does not seem to accept the facts and continues to look for answers that support his misinformation.” Like Supt Moore, she has voiced a similar thought in a school board meeting. Rabon, also, said, “We must work together to bring our wonderful town back to a normal and productive place to live, work and raise families.” What she has stated is a complete fabrication – lies!
Rabon then ends with, “I request that this presentation be pulled from your agenda and for the Commission to fairly allow for Alamogordo Public Schools to personally answer any and all questions you have concerning the Alamogordo Public Schools.” Does it sound like APS is the sole arbiter of the truth?
Considering the presentation was allowed to be delivered, Mrs Sharon McDonald’s integrity should be admired and respected for not following Mrs Rabon’s “request” to remove the presentation. Mrs McDonald, City of Alamogordo Commissioner, should be regarded as a valued member of the community and commended for doing the right thing.
“Transparency in every area.” This is an astounding remark considering the deception contained in the email. So, information obtained from the New Mexico Public Education Department and information received directly from APS through IPRA’s are considered “slanderous untruths”?
What has gone wrong with the members of the APS School Board and District Office? Yes, transparency is needed from anyone employed or connected to the Alamogordo School System especially those in leadership. Intimidation and deception are not supposed to be part of operational procedures in dealing with the community or anyone. That is total disrespect to all parties and shows the Alamogordo Public School System will use any method to get their way. This is authoritarian and not what our country was founded on. If Mrs Rabon wants to “bring our wonderful town back to a normal and productive place to live, work and raise families,” be “transparent in every area.” Your main job is to EDUCATE the students in APS. Next is to listen and truthfully respond to the concerns and needs of the parents and community as stakeholders in relation to education. Voiced concerns or questioning the direction of education in Alamogordo are met either with deception or stonewalling. Yes, go back to the time when the community of Alamogordo, as reported by Alamogordo Town News, the school district and board listened, worked together and APS achieved the position of 10th in the NATION. It is possible. It’s time to listen and act. The State of New Mexico, being 51st in the nation in education, is not something to keep repeating. Major changes need to be made now. Since the Alamogordo Public Schools and School Board are so proud of their progress and achievement with the student’s education and have no desire to listen and actually improve the academic results, perhaps a plaque with their names on it should be created and mounted in a prominent place for their “triumph.” “Yay! We’re 51st.”
Alamogordo Sentinel reached out to Mrs Rabon and the other APS School Board members for comment and did not receive a response before publishing this article.
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INTEGRITY MATTERS!
