Gratitude – Albuquerque Public Schools

Sent: November 5, 2021

Feel gratitude

In his weekly message, Supt. Elder thanks those who supported APS in the election.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, but today I’m grateful.

I am grateful to be part of a community that supports public education. This support was evident in Tuesday’s election results. Nearly seven in ten voters backed the $ 200 million general pledge to pay for school building and campus improvements, technology and safety. The vote on the mill levy, which will bring in $ 430 million in property taxes over six years, was tighter, I suspect in part because the wording made it sound like we were going to raise a new tax (we are not). Still, more than half of voters approved of the continuation of the current tax, which will allow us to make our schools more comfortable, safer and more welcoming.

I am also grateful for the list of candidates who ran for the Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education. It is not easy to run for office, but 13 people have worked to make a difference for our students and families.

I am grateful for the four new board members chosen by voters to represent their districts. Everyone has shown themselves to be caring personalities with a passion for public education:

• Danielle Gonzales, a Valley High School graduate and former teacher who worked for a national nonprofit that helps major boroughs, wants every child in the city to have an excellent education that prepares them for success in life.
• A proud West Mesa High School graduate and advocate of early childhood, Crystal Tapia-Romero is ready to share her experiences, insights, and expertise to help improve APS.
• Josefina Dominguez, a longtime teacher who has taught in APS for many years, envisions a more equitable, inclusive and accessible school system where all students feel more connected, welcome and invested in their education.
• Courtney Jackson, a La Cueva High School graduate and mother of two APS students, wants the best possible education for other daughters and their fellow students.

(I’ve included links to each new board member’s candidate questions and answers in case you want to learn a little more about them.)

I am grateful that these four newcomers will join three seasoned board members – Barbara Petersen, Peggy Muller-Aragón, and Yolanda Montoya-Cordova – who have proven tireless advocates for our students even through the toughest times.

I am grateful to the four retired school board members who have devoted years of their lives to serving our school community. We’re not saying goodbye to Dr. David Peercy, Lorenzo Garcia, Candeleria Patterson, and Elizabeth Armijo, who will serve on the Education Committee through the end of the year. But I want to make sure they know that their dedication and dedication to the students, staff and families of Albuquerque public schools are greatly appreciated and they will miss them.

I also appreciate those who stood up for our school district, be it for the loan and mill levy or a candidate for the school board. Whether you’re a school or district administrator who shared election information with your families, or a volunteer who distributed flyers and hung door hangars, you played a role in educating voters and helping voters make wise decisions hold true.

I am grateful to my APS colleagues, whether they are involved in the political process or not, because your work makes a difference for the future of this community.

And I am very grateful for our students who are this future.

Thanks to all. Thanks for everything you do.