New Albuquerque Public Schools board will restart process on selecting a contractor as election day nears

The Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education has decided to abandon its search for a contractor to offer coaching and professional services and let new board members restart the process in January.

In the midst of an election of four seats — in which early voting has already begun — current board members have decided to let whoever wins those elections guide the process.

At least two new members will be elected to the board, as current board members Josefina Domínguez and Crystal Tapia-Romero are not seeking reelection.

From 2022 to June of this year, the district contracted with the Washington, D.C.-based Council of Great City Schools, which provided coaching and professional services to board members at a cost of around $60,000 annually.

The contract was anticipated to be renewed by the board in June, but after public backlash and growing opposition from some board members, the board decided not to do so.

The contract also further drove a divide between the teachers union backed faction of the board — which became critical of the contract — and the business backed faction, which supported it.

The district put the services contract out for a bid, and it was expected that the board would select a vendor in September. However, according to Board President Danielle Gonzales, the process was delayed due to “scheduling challenges.”

She offered the board three options: to resume the process of selecting a vendor, pausing the process to let new board members decide when they take office, or allowing new board members to restart the entire process.

“I think it would be a great opportunity for new board members to have that opportunity, to be in that process,” Janelle Astorga, board member for District 1, said. “I’m also torn, because I know that it’s difficult to be a new board member and jump into a new process.”

The board eventually opted for the third option: allowing new members to restart the process.

“I think the new board makeup — whatever that happens to be — they deserve the chance to decide if this is necessary,” Heather Benavidez, board member for District 4, said.

While the board had a contract with the Council of Great City Schools, it is separate from the district’s still active membership with the organization, which costs around $55,000 annually.