Revisions made to APS' 'right-sizing' plan amid parent criticisms

Admitting prior “missteps,” Albuquerque Public Schools announced changes on Friday to a plan to repurpose Taft Middle School in the North Valley.

Some parents who claimed they were shut out of the planning process said at this week’s school board meeting that the district was rushing through the approval process.

Principals of the North Valley region released a letter to families explaining three proposed options for fifth grade students at any school that feeds into Taft Middle School, which is set to close at the end of the 2024-25 school year.

“I believe Superintendent Gabriella Blakey would tell you there have been missteps in the rollout of this plan, largely from the administrative side, on communicating the moving pieces,” the letter said. APS provided the letter to the Journal as it was being released to families.

“Those (administrative and communications) problems were not the fault of schools or principals,” it said.

The principals said that there could be more revisions to the proposed plan “in the coming days.”

APS is still accepting feedback on the plan before the next school board meeting.

The principals’ announcement comes following an APS Board of Education meeting on Wednesday when more than two dozen parents from one of Taft’s feeder schools, Alvarado Elementary School, spoke out about APS’ so-called “right-sizing” plan, which is expected to be approved at the next board meeting on Dec. 18.

Right-sizing involves an APS committee matrix to determine the viability of its schools and whether they need more support, should be repurposed or consolidated. The principals defended the methodology in their letter.

“The key thing to know in right-sizing ... is that it makes good educational sense, not just financial sense based on enrollment trends,” the letter said.

The schools impacted under the current plan include Taft Middle School, Taylor Middle School and Coronado Dual Language Magnet. It does not include Alvarado, but those students feed into Taft.

Under the revised proposed plan, Taft would still close by the end of the 2024-25 school year and those students would be transferred to Taylor. Coronado students would move into the former Taft facility.

But a main revision to the proposed plan allows fifth graders who are dual language learners to attend Coronado Dual Language Magnet School, a popular institution within the district due to its reputation, the principals’ letter said.

In an interview, Blakey said the district heard from Alvarado parents who said the former plan did not leave their children with a dual language school to attend.

“We looked at it to make sure they are able to go sixth grade dual language at Coronado, to respond to the legitimate concern that they don’t have what we call a pathway to stay in a dual language program,” Blakey said.

The revised plan also allows students within Taft’s boundaries to attend Taylor for “a more traditional middle school experience,” according to the letter.

Owing to APS surveys showing North Valley families have a “huge interest” in science, technology, engineering and math, students in the district’s feeders schools would have the option of attending Garfield STEM Magnet & Community Middle School, the letter said.

Finally, an International High School to serve newcomers from other nations, would be housed at the Coronado site, according to the letter.

“I think it’s always important for the community to let us know their different ideas, that we heard, and we’re hoping to adapt things as were able to, and continue working with our community,” Blakey said.

But at least two parents, Amy Ziegler and Meghan Hendricks, were not pleased after reading the principals’ letter. They told the Journal on Friday that the district’s apology was a step in the right direction, but the revised plan failed to address their families’ needs.