Moderator's Note: I know some of you have expressed wanting to know whether our APS Board candidates favor a split. Here's a recent article about the issue...
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Candidates Debate Splitting Up APS
By Andrea Schoellkopf
Journal Staff Writer
Some want to split up Albuquerque Public Schools.
Others say it would be a waste of money.
On Thursday night, several candidates vying for seats on the APS board got to weigh in on the controversial topic. The forum, held at APS City Center, drew overflow crowds.
Fourteen candidates are running for three board seats.
While a push for a separate West Side district has come from a small group of residents and lawmakers there, those candidates seeking the West Side board seat were almost hesitant to support such a measure.
"I'm not for it," said Felix Nuñez, a state police officer. "... Now is not the time. We need to focus on what we have in-house. Focus on our issues before we start to develop a new school district."
Peter Sanchez, CEO of Atrisco Companies, said he hasn't seen enough data.
"I'm not convinced either way," Sanchez said. "It needs to be a debate."
Parent Katherine Korte said she has not been able to find sufficient data but wants to study the issue more.
"I do believe that APS is too large," Korte said. "...In the end, I advocate an impartial look at a West Side district. I advocate a comprehensive study. ... maybe a vote so we get what the community thinks about it."
John Herrera, a counselor at Rio Grande, said he thinks there might be data supporting student achievement but questioned the tax base.
"What is the tax base for the West Side?" Herrera asked. "They've built many new schools there?"
Greg Snyder, who works for a construction company, supported a West Side district.
"My support is dependent on a plan to tell me what would happen to the taxpayers," he said.
Some South Valley candidates were much more forthcoming on their opposition or support.
South Valley resident Clara Peña said a West Side split is "something we need to look at."
"Rio Rancho did it and I think they did quite well," Peña said. "If the people want to make the change, it should be put to a vote..."
Incumbent board member Dolores Griego said there was a resolution coming from the district to the state asking for a vote from the city, though APS officials and other board members said that was not true.
Polk Middle School counselor Phillip Chavez said it was a "big waste of money."
"I see no benefit at all in splitting APS," Chavez said. ".... Where are they going to hire all these people? Where are they going to get school police and 4-5 superintendents."
Former APS administrator Analee Maestas, founder of La Promesa Charter School, and retired Naval bomb squad expert Jay Zook said they did not have enough information.
"If we already had all the information about whether it was a good or a bad idea, we probably wouldn't be talking about it," Zook said. "It doesn't make any sense to me."
Among other topics discussed by candidates was the expected budget shortfall. While cutting administration was a favorite target for reducing the APS budget, some candidates offered other suggestions.
Griego said returning instructional coaches to the classrooms, instead of having them only work with teachers, would be a way to save money.
"Every department, if it's only $10 million, they can look at a 10 percent cut, 5 percent cut," she said. "As long as it does not impact classrooms directly."
Zook suggested looking at cutting testing costs and focusing more on testing that is federally required, as well as asking teachers if new textbooks can be held for another year.
Peña called for an audit to see where cuts can be made.
Snyder said based on his experience, government does not follow the budget models taught in business school.
"We need to realize this is not our money, (these are) taxpayer funds," Snyder said.
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