School district factions need to stop posturing for power and start working together

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A day after its school board fired Superintendent Sonia Diaz, the Las Cruces Public Schools community finds itself in a familiar situation: A battle is fought; a leader leaves amid scandal; many are wounded.If you’re feeling as though we’ve been here before, it’s because we have.Five years after the departure of former Superintendent Jesse Gonzales, this school district has yet to get back on its feet. There have been some improvements in the district during that time, but other areas have been neglected and deteriorated.There are deep divisions over the future of the district, and they’ve only grown during the past several years.I was shocked to hear Monday night some board members sounding almost apologetic for not responding sooner to the firestorm that was brewing over Diaz’s leadership. Two board members told me they didn’t know about the allegations against Diaz until concerns were brought to them at a meeting two weeks ago.Talk about a failure to communicate, not just by the board, but by this entire community. Board members should have been in closer contact with constituents and employees. Those who had complaints should have gone to board members sooner with concerns. Continue Reading

Evans elected president of border group

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Doña Ana County Commissioner Kent Evans has been elected president of the U.S./Mexico Border Counties Coalition.The group includes all 24 counties on the United States side of the border. It aims to address challenges facing county governments along the border and be a lobbying force in Washington.The election was held last weekend in Laredo, Texas, at the group’s annual conference. Evans will serve as president for one year.“I’m honored to have been elected president of this important organization,” Evans said. “I’ll work hard to pursue the coalition’s goals and to advance the interests and concerns of border residents.”Evans, who represents commission District 4, will leave the commission at the end of 2008 after serving two terms. Continue Reading

Madrid concedes race to Wilson

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Democrat Patricia Madrid conceded the 1st Congressional District race to Republican Heather Wilson this morning.However, according to the Albuquerque Journal, the state Democratic Party might ask for a partial recount.Madrid, according to the newspaper, decided against a recount because she did not believe it would change the outcome. Party Chair John Wertheim said he may ask for a hand tally of 2 percent of ballots to test the accuracy of the machines that count votes under the new paper ballot system.Madrid, 60, leaves office as the state’s attorney general at the end of the year, but there is speculation that she could make a run for U.S. Senate in 2008 or governor in 2010.Update, 12:10 p.m.Madrid essentially told reporters they’ll see her name on the ticket for a statewide race in the future, according to the Associated Press.Asked what seat she’ll consider seeking, Madrid had this to say: “You all are in politics. You’re smart enough to figure it out.” Continue Reading

School board member discusses athletics, music

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Las Cruces Public Schools Board Member Leonel Briseño and Jim Spence were on The Morning Show With Michael Swickard on Monday to discuss the future of athletics and music programs in the district. It was an enlightening discussion that is part of a larger controversy over the future of the Las Cruces schools.The entire show is about 42 minutes long. Click here to listen to it. It’s a large file, so give it a few minutes to load. Continue Reading

Madrid sets news conference for 10 a.m.

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The results of the 1st Congressional District race have been certified, with Republican Rep. Heather Wilson beating Democrat Patricia Madrid by 875 votes. Bernalillo County was the final county to certify its results Monday, according to the Albuquerque Journal. Madrid has scheduled a news conference for 10 a.m. today in Albuquerque. The reason for the event was not disclosed. She has not conceded, and Bernalillo County Clerk Mary Herrera said she had received calls from Democratic officials to inquire about the costs of a recount. Continue Reading

Legislators share views on Diaz firing

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Two legislators I spoke with were saddened by tonight’s news that the Las Cruces school board fired Superintendent Sonia Diaz, but they weren’t talking about bringing in the state to takeover operation of the district.Rep. Mary Helen Garcia said the findings that led to the decision must have included “substantial evidence” for the board to fire Diaz instead of buying out her contract.“It was their responsibility to do what’s necessary,” Garcia said. “It’s unfortunate for the children of the district to have to go through this, but hopefully they’ll find the right person at the right time.”In the meantime, Garcia said, she has full confidence that Elizabeth Marrufo, the administrator in charge of the district, can manage the situation.Garcia said the board’s decision – clearly a tough one to make – demonstrated leadership, so the state does not need to come in and help stabilize the district.Sen. Leonard “Lee” Rawson said the community must be concerned about what has taken place.“My concern is that we haven’t resolved the problem,” he said. “The problem, from my perspective, is that the school board has made some bad decisions and now we’ve lost another year.”He said the board is either not giving clear direction to superintendents or doing a poor job of selecting them, but added that he’s glad the board acted tonight, instead of delaying a decision.“Hopefully, the school board will learn from its mistakes, or what it perceives as mistakes,” he said. Continue Reading

BREAKING NEWS: Board votes to fire Diaz

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Members of the Las Cruces Public Schools Board of Education have voted unanimously to fire Superintendent Sonia Diaz.Diaz has 20 days to appeal once the board serves her with notice, which it has five days to do.Board members emerged from closed session at 7:30 p.m. with solemn faces before voting to fire Diaz after four months on the job.The reasons for the termination weren’t disclosed because personnel law prevents it.The news was met by cheers from many of the approximately 50 people in attendance. Some employees of the district wept, and were comforted by others.“What I heard in closed session was grave enough for me to support a discharge,” said board Member Leonel Briseño.Perhaps alluding to allegations that Diaz treated employees poorly and without respect, Briseño then urged all in the community to allow the district to heal by treating each other “with respect and dignity.”“We must learn, as a district, to discuss our differences” while upholding a commitment to treating each other with respect, Briseño said.Board Member Gene Gant said the decision was painful.“This has been a very painful four months,” Gant said.Board Members Chuck Davis and John Schwebke thanked district staff for continuing to work professionally through what Schwebke called “these trying times.”Board Member Sharon Wooden said she agreed with the comments of other board members.Elizabeth Marrufo remains the administrator in charge of the district for now.I’m hoping to have comment from Diaz later tonight. Continue Reading

Diaz awaits board decision

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Las Cruces Public Schools Superintendent Sonia Diaz isn’t in Las Cruces for tonight’s board meeting.Before the board meeting was set for tonight, Diaz had plans to leave town for the Thanksgiving holiday. She asked the board if she should reschedule her plans so she could attend the meeting, but was told that was not necessary.Diaz is available by telephone if the board wants to speak with her tonight. Continue Reading

School board meeting in closed session

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The Las Cruces Public Schools Board of Education has just gone into closed session to discuss the future of Superintendent Sonia Diaz.Board Member Leonel Briseño was not present for the board’s public vote to move into closed session, but was expected to arrive shortly thereafter.About 50 people were present, including Olivia Ogas, the wife for former Mayfield High School Principal Robert Ogas, and former superintendents Virginia Foltz and Joann Patton.Board Member Chuck Davis said the meeting will be a long one, but he expects the board to take action one way or the other tonight – either reinstating Diaz or ending her employment. Continue Reading

Concern about Lujan’s leadership grows after housing authority scandal touches him and a judge

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After months of whispers, Speaker of the House Ben Lujan has been linked to the state housing authority scandal. So has a state judge, which should result in an investigation by the Judicial Standards Commission. The Albuquerque Journal revealed today that a Bernalillo County metropolitan judge and a top aide to Lujan have been living, rent-free, in homes owned by the Region III Housing Authority. The revelation could boost a potential push by Rep. Ken Martinez of Grants or someone else to replace Lujan as House speaker. The state housing authority structure crumbled in scandal earlier this year that included the defaulting on $5 million in bonds sold to the state and the realization that some homes were being sold to investors and others who didn’t meet income requirements. Continue Reading

EEOC says school district violated Ogas’ rights

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The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has ruled that former Las Cruces Public Schools Superintendent Louis Martinez violated the rights of former Mayfield High School Principal Robert Ogas by chasing him out in 2005. In a ruling issued Wednesday, the commission found that Martinez and the school district discriminated against Ogas based on his age – he was 64 at the time of his departure – and his ethnicity. The controversy over Ogas’ departure led to deep divisions in the school district that have resurfaced in the present controversy over current Superintendent Sonia Diaz. The protests that resulted from Ogas’ departure led to a successful, public push for the school board to oust Martinez. Ogas was a longtime principal at Mayfield and a legend in that community, but there was division within the community and school board over his tenure. Continue Reading

Others’ thoughts on LCPS situation

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I asked last week for constructive, insightful thoughts on how the Las Cruces Public Schools board and community should proceed from here. Here are the best responses I received. Many others contained good points but also rumor or nasty personal attacks, so I could not publish them. A couple of notes: Board Member Leonel Briseño will be on The Morning Show With Michael Swickard on KSNM-AM 570 from 9-10 a.m. today to discuss the situation. I’ll be at the board meeting, which starts at 4:45 p.m., and will stay until the end. Continue Reading

Poll: Most say superintendent not doing a good job

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Most who voted in last week’s non-scientific poll on this site said Las Cruces Public Schools Superintendent Sonia Diaz isn’t doing a good job. Of 317 voters, 197, or 62 percent, said she isn’t doing a good job, while 54, or 17 percent, said she is doing a good job, and 66, or 21 percent, said it’s too early to say. Don’t forget to vote in this week’s poll, located at the top of the right column on this page. Continue Reading