The search for Albuquerque Public Schools’ next leader is suspended.
The Board of Education announced Wednesday that it would halt the ongoing superintendent search, which began months ago, due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.
The board had recently chosen five semifinalists and was slated to interview them this week. A determination on who would be finalists was expected this weekend.
However, the board decided to cancel the interviews and pause the search for a new superintendent “until more is understood about mitigating the spread of the coronavirus.”
Board President David Peercy said members will consider all options in a future meeting, but didn’t address specific questions.
The board is awaiting more information about the novel coronavirus, according to the district.
Previously, the board said it was open to naming an interim superintendent if it needed to further the search.
The district is looking to fill the role that will be left open when Superintendent Raquel Reedy retires. She was officially named superintendent in 2016 after serving as interim.
It’s unclear if Reedy has expressed willingness to stay on longer than planned given the pandemic.
• Michelle Cavazos, chief officer for Academics and Social Emotional Learning, Austin Independent School District
• Kimberly Finke, principal of Whittier Elementary School
• James McIntyre, assistant professor and director, Center for Educational Leadership, University of Tennessee
• Bolgen Vargas, consultant, self-employed
