OPINION: Keep the change: Student learning must be the focus of APS

Four years ago, I ran for the Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education because our schools had been shut down and were struggling, parents were being left out of the conversation and too many students were falling behind. My late husband, Wade, and I agreed that if we wanted better outcomes for our children, and for Albuquerque’s children, we needed to be part of the solution, not part of the noise.

When I took office, APS faced declining achievement, low morale and an understandable loss of public trust. Today, through steady leadership and focus, we’re beginning to see measurable progress. More students are reading on grade level, math proficiency is rising, career pathways are expanding, financial literacy is now a requirement for every high schooler and chronic absenteeism has dropped nearly in half. We’ve built real momentum, but have a tremendous amount of work left to do.

These changes haven’t happened by accident. They are the result of a new, top-to-bottom focus at APS on academic progress and career/college preparation as the primary missions of our public schools. It’s what parents and taxpayers expect, and it’s what our children deserve. The board adopted a clear, community-driven strategic plan for our schools that puts student learning ahead of politics. The board now sets clear expectations and monitors progress regularly, allowing our new superintendent to work with school leaders and teachers to deliver. We’ve kept our attention on what truly matters for students to achieve in school and in life: improving literacy, math, graduation readiness and character skills like perseverance and self-confidence.

On the night I was sworn in, my husband left me a note that simply read, “Can the kids read? Can the kids do math?” Those basic questions define the true job of the Board of Education. They remind me to focus on education, not on political agendas, and to cut through the noise. That note guides me daily, and it’s the commitment I renew to you now: Every decision and every dollar must be rooted in what helps our kids learn, feel safe and succeed.

As often happens in political campaigns, opponents may try to sow doubt or create distractions to serve their own agendas. Change is never easy, and those who resist it often resort to false attacks to muddy the issues and preserve the status quo.

Let me be clear: I have always, and will continue, to defend every student’s right to feel safe, respected and valued, without exception. What I won’t do is politicize our classrooms or use children as pawns in adult debates. The real work, the work our community asked us to do, is to ensure students can read, do math, graduate ready for college or career, and develop the resilience they’ll need for life.

That’s what I’ve done. And that’s what I commit to continue doing.

This election is about keeping the focus where it matters most, on our students and their success. It’s about ensuring your representative remains disciplined, transparent and accountable to the goals that truly matter. It’s a choice between a board focused on student outcomes and one distracted by political agendas.

My “why” is stronger than ever. Let’s honor the progress we’ve made, keep the momentum going and keep politics out of the classroom. Please join me in keeping the focus where it belongs — on our students. It’s my honor and privilege to ask for your vote.

Courtney Jackson is a member of the Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education for District 7.