Q&A Albuquerque Public Schools Board Brian Laurent, Jr.

Name: Brian K. Laurent, Jr.

Political party: Independent

Age: 47

Education: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Delaware in 2000

Master of Public Administration from Boise State University in 2012

Certificate in Alternative Teacher Licensure (Special Education) from Central New Mexico Community College in 2020

Occupation: Former special education teacher, current contractor for the New Mexico Public Education Department

Family: Oldest child of Brian and Kathleen Laurent, three siblings

Relevant experience: Governing Council member, Mountain Mahogany Community School, October 2022 - present

Director of School Accountability Support, Albuquerque Public Schools, September 2023 - July 2025

Special Education Teacher (7th grade math), Albuquerque Public Schools, August 2019 - September 2023

Director of Accountability, New Mexico Public Education Department, June 2018 - June 2019

Data Manager, Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, September 2013 - May 2018

Campaign website: None at this time

1. What's the biggest issue APS faces? How would you address it?

Student outcomes in APS have been too low for too long, and the board’s goals do not communicate a sense of urgency toward properly supporting historically underserved student groups. As a board member, I would listen to the community, ask the hard questions, and always put students first.

2. In your opinion, what is the primary role of a school board member?

An effective school board member advocates for students, families, and teachers, and engages in student-centered decision making. They use their knowledge, skills, and experience to ask the right questions. They establish high expectations for student outcomes, and they demonstrate transparency so the public knows whether those expectations are being met.

3. How would you evaluate the current school board's performance?

Although I applaud their intentional focus on the district’s strategic plan, the board does not always align its decision making with the plan, and student performance goals are low. Members do not always model how we should treat and speak to one another when there is a difference of opinion.

4. What experience do you have overseeing a budget?

I proudly serve on the Governing Council for Mountain Mahogany Community School and have done so since October 2022. Similar to the APS school board, we, as the Governing Council, must adopt a budget, and throughout the year we approve financial statements, cash disbursements, budget adjustments, and certain purchase orders.

5. The board recently let its contract with D.C. based consultant Council of the Great City Schools expire. Do you believe that was the correct call, why or why not?

The board made the correct decision. It was extremely inappropriate for an unelected “coach” to communicate with elected board members during public meetings. Also, board members limiting themselves to just “strategic” questions during public meetings is an unnecessary barrier that has decreased transparency to constituents.

6. Do you believe that the goals and guardrails the district has adopted are still effective and relevant, why or why not?

Goals and guardrails are essential for evaluating the superintendent. Without them, decisions fall back on hunches, feelings, and anecdotes – and that’s simply not good enough for our students. Goals 1 and 2 are ineffective because they are too low. Explicit focus on increasing the district’s low graduation rate is needed.

7. The district recently changed the poverty threshold for schools to qualify for Title I funding, do you believe that was the correct decision?

Increasing the Title I threshold from 50% to 60% was not in the best interest of the students enrolled in the schools negatively affected by that decision. Schools where at least half of students live in poverty still require support, and removing all Title I funding at once was extreme.

8. What’s your stance on school vouchers?

I am against using school vouchers to fund private education. Public tax dollars must be allocated to serving students in the state’s public school system.

9. What's your stance on charter schools?

Charter schools are public schools. They are one of many choices students and families have within our public school system. They have more flexibility in how they operate, but in return they’re held to higher standards. I don’t support limiting charter schools because that would mean fewer choices for families.

10. Do you believe APS is doing enough to comply with the landmark 2018 Yazzie/Martinez court ruling?

Although I appreciate the focus on the Yazzie/Martinez student groups in Goals 1 and 2, aiming for a performance increase of only 10 percentage points over five years does not communicate a sense of urgency and does not meet the needs of historically underserved student groups.

11. Do you believe changes should be made to the APS student cell phone use policy, per a new state law? How do you think the district should handle cell phone use on school grounds?

The district’s cell phone policy must align with state law. Cell phones do not belong in the learning environment. A phone is a distraction to the student who possesses it. Also, other students miss out on valuable instruction when the teacher is forced to address phone usage during class.

12. Do you believe more steps should be taken to address school security issues, including firearms on or near school grounds? If so, what would you propose?

Increased mental health services, clear backpacks, and metal detectors are within the district’s control and serve as next steps beyond the current system of “if you see something, say something.” APS must immediately engage with its community partners to address the root cause of weapons in the hands of youth.

Personal background

1. Have you or your business, if you are a business owner, ever been the subject of any state or federal tax liens?

No

2. Have you ever been involved in a personal or business bankruptcy proceeding?

No

3. Have you ever been arrested for, charged with, or convicted of drunken driving, or any misdemeanor or felony?

No