Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

The total commitment to public schools in New Mexico has dropped from 51% a couple of decades ago to approximately 43% today. However, if you include higher education, the state spends more than 60% of the state budget on education. It seems to me that we should have more people in Santa Fe who understand education at all levels.

I have been an elementary school principal at two low income schools in two different districts. I have seen how a quality education at an early age can prepare students for a better life. In most cases, students who are not performing well in school have other factors in their lives that are interfering with the learning process. We need to provide enrichment for these students to help them reach the standards for their grade levels.

I have been a middle school principal where I was able to impact young people while they were beginning the transitions to adulthood. I am currently a high school math teacher. We have some incredible teachers who inspire students every day. Many of them could make more money out side of education but choose to make a difference in the public schools. However, teachers are feeling deflated, overworked, and under appreciated. We must reestablish some balance for teachers, recognize the very difficult job they do everyday in the classroom, and find a path to retain those teachers who are giving all they can toward educating our children.

I have experience in higher education as a community college faculty and administrator. I understand the role that community colleges play in job training, community education, and as an affordable beginning to a university education. For many of the citizens of New Mexico, a community college provides a starting point for college degree. We must keep community colleges affordable and responsible to the communities they serve.

Higher education is getting more and more expensive and we must continue to control costs so that the dream of a college education is not out of reach of students. We need to ensure that our universities are doing everything they can to provide a quality experience for students at an affordable cost. I have been faculty and staff at NMSU and understand how important the retention of good people is to the image of a an institution, and future research funding opportunities.

Finally, I understand how governance and leadership affect education. I spent two terms on the Las Cruces School Board and served in the leadership positions. I was also elected as President of the New Mexico School Boards Association. I helped to institute the Master Board Member Program to help school board members become better leaders for their districts. I was the first board member in New Mexico certified as a Master Board Member and then helped to train many others. I presented workshops on Robert's Rules of Order, compliance with the open meetings act, and board superintendent relations. Through this position, I learned school finance, instruction, human resources, and facilities management. While not an expert in every area, I have a working knowledge that will help me in making good decisions for the people of my district and the state.

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