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Here's the APS board's plan for selecting a new superintendent on Wednesday
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The Albuquerque Public Schools board will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday to discuss who will succeed outgoing Superintendent Scott Elder — APS Chief Operations Officer Gabriella Blakey or former Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Ahart.
Elder, who has led the district for some 3½ years, is set to leave the post June 30.
It’s unlikely the board will emerge until the afternoon. First, the panel is planning to interview each candidate for 1½ hours. Then, the panel plans to deliberate and choose a finalist, then ideally begin contract negotiations.
Board members will base their decision on community feedback, including that which was collected Tuesday, and on a rubric that members will use to evaluate candidates on over a dozen characteristics.
Those characteristics include whether the finalist: believes every child can learn; is committed to equity and anti-racism; has a track record of significantly improving student outcomes; respects the district’s workforce; is bilingual; etc.
The goal is to choose a superintendent Wednesday, but it’s not a guarantee — the board’s agenda says the panel will have a discussion and “possible contract for the next superintendent” after emerging from executive session.
Blakey, who is from Albuquerque and graduated from Highland High School, has spent roughly two decades of her professional career with APS.
Ahart has spent more than three decades in education according to his résumé. That includes 10 years leading Des Moines Public Schools, which, like APS in New Mexico, is the largest district in Iowa.
