The Las Cruces Public Schools Board of Education is set to pick the next superintendent today. I listened for three hours Thursday night while the four candidates answered questions.<\/p>\n
Each said the right things. Sure, there were some significant differences. One is religious and another advocates for strict separation of church and state. One will run the school district like a corporation, while another will focus on personal relationships.<\/p>\n
But they all used the buzz words, like rigor and results and accountability. They spoke about the need to help underperforming students. All four made references to the district\u2019s need to heal from the scars left by past superintendents.<\/p>\n
In other words, they did their research before coming here and were well prepared.<\/p>\n
As is to be expected. But all that talk doesn\u2019t mean anything. Louis Martinez said all the right things before being hired as superintendent, and his administration, which the board hoped would heal the scars of the Jesse Gonzales days, further divided the district.<\/p>\n
How are we to know which is the right candidate?<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t know. I\u2019m glad I\u2019m not a school board member.<\/p>\n
But I have some thoughts on the task facing the next superintendent.<\/p>\n
Las Cruces is in the midst of a massive transition from the farming, rural community it once was to the urban, technology center it\u2019s becoming. Many people fear or just don\u2019t want the change. Others welcome it.<\/p>\n
The new superintendent will have to reach out to both groups of people.<\/p>\n
We need to make changes to the way things have always been done, but we must preserve our heritage and honor our culture at the same time.<\/p>\n
The Las Cruces schools have a lot of problems. Poor and minority students have been left behind for too long, and the district must focus on bridging that gap. At the same time, the administration must not sacrifice gifted programs and other opportunities for students who are ready for such challenges.<\/p>\n
While the next superintendent is trying to balance those interests, he or she will have to find a way to keep up with the city\u2019s explosive growth \u2013 a massive task by itself, considering the district doesn\u2019t have the money to keep up with construction costs.<\/p>\n
Athletics is another touchy subject. The next superintendent will have to deal with the fact that we treat some student athletes better than others: Some get class credit for practicing their sport, but others do not. Should all of them get credit, or should none of them? It\u2019s called equity, folks.<\/p>\n
While dealing with this problem, the boss will have to find a way to preserve the district\u2019s rich tradition of success on the field and court.<\/p>\n
All this adds up to quite a task, but one that is not impossible. What it will take is a leader who is not afraid to make decisions, but does so only after sincere consideration of all opinions; a leader who not only listens, but genuinely hears and believes the ideas of others are important; a leader who reaches out to all groups and seeks consensus.<\/p>\n
In other words, the next superintendent must be an excellent communicator.<\/p>\n
Change is coming, but even those who are resistant must be included in deciding how it happens. Change must be made only with the deepest respect for the traditions of the school district.<\/p>\n
Otherwise, the division that has consumed this district will continue to spread.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
The Democrat seeking the magistrate judge Division II seat in Do\u00f1a Ana County got a major boost Thursday when Gov. Bill Richardson appointed him to the seat because of the vacancy left when Susana Chaparro resigned earlier this year.<\/p>\n
Chaparro announced her resignation on candidate filing day, and made an agreement with the Judicial Standards Commission to never again seek judicial office in exchange for the dropping of several pending probes of allegations of misconduct.<\/p>\n
Richardson announced Thursday the appointment of Democrat Joseph Guillory to fill the seat. Guillory is facing Republican Steven Foldy in November, but will now have the advantage of incumbency.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ll still have five registered Democrats and no Republicans on that court if Guillory wins. Guillory has run for office before, but as a Republican.<\/p>\n
Foldy is still waiting to learn whether he is allowed to run for the office and keep his job as a Do\u00f1a Ana County sheriff\u2019s deputy. The U.S. Office of Special Counsel cleared Sheriff Todd Garrison weeks ago, but has not ruled on whether the Hatch Act, which prevents public employees from running for public office in some instances, applies to Foldy.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, Foldy is not working the overtime shifts that are paid for by the federal grant in question.<\/p>\n
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