APS stays in-house, chooses Blakey as new superintendent

On its second go-around, the Albuquerque Public Schools board emerged from a closed-door meeting on Monday and named the district’s current chief operations officer, Gabriella Blakey, as its next superintendent.

Blakey, 48, has been with APS on and off for some two decades. She will succeed current Superintendent Scott Elder, who is set to leave the post June 30. He has led the district for about 3½ years.

“It’s a little surreal, but I’m feeling very proud,” Blakey said. “I just see myself as a student that grew up in Albuquerque. And I think my biggest humility is just knowing that I have a commitment to our community and to our children.

“Honestly, I hope to serve as a role model,” she added.

Blakey’s initial contract is for two years, beginning July 1 and ending June 30, 2026. Her annual salary will be $295,000.

The salary range for the position, according to the original job posting, was $245,000 to $325,000, subject to negotiation. As of June, Elder made around $241,000 per year. When he first came on as interim superintendent, he made $225,000.

In explaining the salary, board President Danielle Gonzales said the panel reviewed superintendent pay in districts of similar size and settled on a number she said was on par with those other districts.

As superintendent, Blakey will oversee instruction and services for the district’s more than 68,000 students. She’ll also oversee implementation of the district’s strategic plan to better APS student outcomes.

During presentations to the community on Tuesday, Blakey spoke of her plans as the new superintendent to implement the district’s strategic plan, including decentralizing the district’s administration, ensuring grade-level standards are taught in classrooms, expanding electives and bilingual programs, and bolstering educator pipelines.

She also highlighted what her commitments would be to the community as superintendent — to listen, to respond, to lead and to deliver.

On Monday, Blakey said she also has a 90-day plan for when she takes the helm that generally will include assessing the district’s academic programs, reviewing its current financial position and strengthening relationships in the community and with educators.

“There’s so much work to do,” Blakey said. “... Let me tell you, I already have my sleeves rolled up.”

While some in the community have held up Blakey’s time with the district as evidence she might bring more of the same and not be able to effect change, others have touted her deep roots in Albuquerque as a strength.

“I’ve always been a supporter of her because she actually listens when people talk to her,” McKinley Middle School special education teacher Jason Krosinsky said after a public forum last week. “We need someone who not only is capable but also who knows what they’re doing from day one. And I feel that Dr. Blakey can do that.”

Blakey attended Sandia Base Elementary School, Van Buren Middle School and Highland High School, and has worked in APS in different roles, including as a principal and as associate superintendent.

The board based its decision on feedback from the community and a rubric laying out more than a dozen characteristics.

With respect to Blakey, Gonzales specifically highlighted her passion, experience with APS and skills dealing in school safety, equity and transparency as strengths that made her stand out.

“You told us you want someone ready to make real change. That person is Dr. Gabriella Durán Blakey,” Gonzales said.

Gonzales also thanked the other superintendent finalist up for consideration, former Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Ahart, and wished him the best in his future endeavors.

Last week, the board spent 10½ hours behind closed doors before emerging and postponing the decision.

“The search for a superintendent is over. It led us to the right person for the job, and we can’t wait to get to work,” Gonzales said.

In the coming months, Elder will show Blakey the ropes, teaching her the key relationships she’ll need on the job as well as showing her the mechanics of the position.

Photos: Dr. Gabriella Durán Blakey named next APS superintendent

“I think she’s a great choice,” he said. “I think the community’s lucky to have her. She’s incredibly dedicated to the district. … She certainly understands the work. It’s going to provide a very smooth transition as we move forward.”

Albuquerque Teachers Federation President Ellen Bernstein said Blakey and the union already have an established relationship, and that the superintendent-select has “always been respectful and supportive” of the district’s educators and school staff.

“We’ve done work together, and so I’m very hopeful that we can build on that and work together towards substantive and positive changes in APS,” she said.