District 2: Candidate Questionnaire Peggy Muller-Aragón

Name: Peggy Muller-Aragón

District: 2

Age: 65

Education: Master of Arts, education administration (University of New Mexico, 1990), Bachelor of Science, education (University of New Mexico, 1980). High school diploma (West Mesa High School, 1976)

Occupation: Retired APS teacher

Family: Robert J. Aragón, three daughters

What’s the biggest issue APS faces? How would you address it?

Outside adult interests are too often placed above student interests. Many children aren't reading, doing math, or science at grade level, but if grade level instructional materials are provided they're more than capable of doing so. Implement student based budgeting and ensure grade level materials are used in every classroom.

Albuquerque saw more guns on school campuses last year than any other year in recent memory. As a board member, how would you shape policy to address this issue, and to increase school communities’ feelings of safety while on campus?

The district continues prioritizing student safety through fencing, cameras, secure vestibules and a promising Gun Violence Prevention Program that will be piloted this year at WMHS, LCHS, WMS and TMS. It's a safety focused community partnership with APS Police, APD, DA, DOJ, BCSO, ATF, DOC, and Judicial all participating.

As APS continues with its districtwide effort to right-size, what would your priorities be when faced with tough decisions about reimagining or repurposing schools?

Right sizing is occurring across the country due to declining enrollment. APS has an internal right sizing committee and we have experts on the Community Capital Advisory Commission, who are tasked with reporting to the board. Both can provide recommendations on closure, reimagining or repurposing schools.

APS students this school year will be in school longer and have different bell schedules than last year. How will you support students, educators and other staff through this transition?

By visiting schools seeing firsthand how the transition is working and listening in order to point them to staff most able to provide them the help they need. A recent change to the calendar is snow days won't be added, because students will participate in asynchronous learning on these days.

The current school board has laid out several goals for APS for the next five years. To what extent do they align with your goals as a board member, do you think they’re appropriate, and do you think they’re feasible?

Absolutely. Early Literacy, Math Proficiency, Post-Secondary Readiness, and Skills, Habits & Mindsets for Life Success are all worthy goals that speak to what every child needs to have success beyond the K-12 public school system.

How much input should parents have in the curriculum and instructional materials used in their children's classrooms?

APS Guardrail 4, Family and Community Engagement ensures, "The superintendent will not exclude parent/legal guardian, student, and community voice and engagement in school and district operations." This guards a parent's right to their voice being listened to.

It’s been five years since the landmark decision in the consolidated Yazzie-Martinez lawsuit. As a board member in the state’s largest district, how do you plan to help Albuquerque’s most underserved students?

By implementing student based budgeting, which bases funding on the absolute necessities at each school, will be a start to meeting the needs of these students, as will meeting our reading proficiency and math proficiency goals which have as their focus, the Yazzie/Martinez student population.

The school board is currently in the process of looking for a new superintendent. What do you want out of that person?

Most importantly, someone who accepts without hesitation that APS students are full of promise, capable of achieving at the highest levels, who has respect for the teaching profession and for our great New Mexican culture, and who's had success unlocking children's potential by improving academic outcomes in previous positions.

What experience do you have overseeing a budget?

Having served as the APS Board Finance Committee chair from 2015-2021, I had the experience of watching the evolution of the district's ever growing billion-dollar budget from beginning to end. This role helped me to more fully understand the importance of fiscal responsibility.

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

My primary role is to advocate for student needs, prioritize student success, put child interests above all else, protect the families' role in their child's education and continue to fight for true accountability and transparency at APS.

What role should board members have in district negotiations with unions over issues facing school staff?

The board is not at the table when district negotiations are taking place. It's up to the superintendent, our only employee, to listen to what the board has said and convey those issues to their negotiating team. I'd like official contract language added stating student's needs are first and foremost.

How would you evaluate the current school board’s performance?

Our current board conducts themselves in good faith and we're focused on improving student outcomes. We acknowledge district failures as far as graduation rates, low grade level proficiency rates in reading, math and science, not engaging parent and community, and decreased public trust and we're holding everyone accountable, including ourselves.

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

No.

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

No.

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

No.