Online school public, run by New Mexicans

There has been a lot of discussion in the New Mexico Legislature lately about online public charter schools. Rather than talking about how these public schools can benefit certain types of students, some are trying to abruptly take these education options away from families through legislation.

Critics of these schools are also making inaccurate claims about how these schools are governed and managed.

I’m the chair of the New Mexico Virtual Academy Governing Council. My fellow council members and I are residents of this great state and we committed ourselves to be a part of this school because we wanted to help support children who needed this new and innovative education option.

In our school, children learn through individualized learning programs using an engaging digital-based curriculum that connects teachers and students together through technology. Our public school is vital for some children with challenges that make it difficult or impossible to succeed in the traditional school, including kids who have been bullied, children with special needs or medical conditions that leave them homebound.

Unfortunately, the discussion hasn’t focused on these kids and their education needs. Instead, it’s been a debate on whether or not it is appropriate for our school to contract for products and services with private vendors, and the role of our school’s governing council.

Since numerous inaccurate claims have been made related to these issues by people unfamiliar with the school I help lead, it’s important to set the record straight.

Some have claimed that New Mexico Virtual Academy is a private school. New Mexico Virtual Academy is not a private school; it is a public charter school.

All of the students enrolled are public school students and residents of New Mexico. Our public school is chartered by the Farmington Municipal Schools district and follows the same accountability standards and requirements of any public school in the state.

All public schools in New Mexico contract with private providers for products and services: textbooks, school construction, technology, etc. This is no different from our school.

We purchase curriculum, technology and some operational services from a vendor that sells online courses and curriculum to hundreds of schools and school districts all across the country.

Simply because a private provider is involved in the school does not mean that it “manages” or “governs” the school. That is the role of our school’s independent governing council. We govern, manage and oversee our school.

Our teachers are employees of New Mexico Virtual Academy. They are highly qualified New Mexico licensed teachers and residents of our state. Our school’s head administrator and business manager are also hired by, employed by and report to the governing council.

The contract between the governing council and its vendor is consistent with state law.

It was negotiated pursuant to the New Mexico Charter School Act and in compliance with the New Mexico Procurement Code. The contract was reviewed and approved by the Farmington Municipal Schools Board of Education.

Our contract states that the school’s governing council is responsible for overseeing and managing the program’s quality, operational and financial performance and for relations with the charter authorizer.

We understand that some have a philosophical objection to charter schools and giving parents the freedom to choose the education option for their children. That is a debate that has occurred for years and will likely continue to occur.

The reason New Mexico Virtual Academy exists is because parents want and need this option for their children.

We respect parents’ choices because we believe parents know their children best. As a school, it is our job to serve them.

We don’t claim to be for every child, but we are proud to be a part of the public school community in New Mexico and pleased we can be an option for families who only want what is best for their children.