CLASSROOMS ATA CROSSROADS
Atimelineof schoolclosures
April2009: Superintendent BobbieGutierrezannounces SantaFePublicSchoolsisfacing a$4.5millionbudgetshortfall duetodwindlingstaterevenues andproposesclosingLarragoite andAlvordelementaryschools andAlamedaMiddleSchool,just southwestofthedowntownarea.
March2010: Theschoolboard considerscombiningstudents atLarragoite,Alvordandnearby Kauneelementaryschoolsat anewK-8attheAlamedasite, amongotheroptions.
May2010: Theconsolidation isapproved,andAlamedaMiddle Schoolcloses.Theboardproposes consolidatingtheeast-sideAcequiaMadreandAtalayaelementaryschools—aplanthatmeets fierceopposition.
August2010: AspenCommunityMagnetSchoolopensatthe oldAlamedasitewithstudents fromthethreeshutteredelementaryschools.AmyBiehlCommunitySchoolatRanchoViejosouth ofthecityopensasaK-6facilityto serveagrowingpopulationofkids inthearea.
December2010: Morecost-cuttingproposalsinresponsetoa shortfallofupto$13millioncall forclosingAcequiaMadre.
January2011: Theboardtakes AcequiaMadreoffthechopping block.
February2011: Newlyelected boardmemberswhohadopposed planstocloseAcequiaMadrecriticizeaplanbythecurrentboardto extendGutierrez’scontractbefore theytakeofficeMarch1.Butthe contractisapproveduntil2013.
February2012: Theboardends Gutierrez’scontractearlywitha $168,000payout.
August2014: ThenewK-8 ElCaminoRealAcademyopensoff N.M.599toreplacetheoldAgua FríaElementarySchool,andthe K-8NinaOteroCommunitySchool opensonthecity’ssouthwestside. Bothareintendedtohelpease overcrowdinginthearea.
January2016: Theschoolboard andSuperintendentJoelBoyd, whosteppedintothejobinAugust 2012,proposeconsolidating CapshawandDeVargasmiddle schools,bothinthemidtownarea. Theplangeneratesanuproar.
April2017: Theschoolboard andSuperintendentVeronica García,whostartedthejobin August2016,announceaplanto consolidateE.J.MartinezandNava elementaryschoolstoaddress anotherbudgetshortfall.Theplan eventuallyisabandoned.
August2017: ThenewMilagro MiddleSchoolopensonthe Capshawcampusafteraphased-in consolidationofCapshawand DeVargas.
August2019: Milagromoves intoacampusconstructedonthe siteoftheoldDeVargasschool.
September2019: BoardmemberMaureenCashmonandNEASantaFePresidentGraceMeyer, withsupportfromLorrainePrice, pushaplantocloseE.J.Martinez, NavaandAcequiaMadreelementaryschoolstoaddressdeclining enrollment,agingfacilitiesand equityissues.
November2019: Theschool closureplan,whichfacedsharp criticism,isrejectedbytheboard.
October2022: Thedistrict announcesthelaunchofits Reimaginingprocess;boardmembersvowtoavoidclosingschools.
August2023: Theboard approvesameasureoutliningthe proceduresforclosingorrepurposingaschoolcampusbased ondecliningstudentnumbersor economicfactors,basedonarecommendationstemmingfromthe Reimaginingeffort.
Reimagining processcosts SuperintendentHilario“Larry” ChavezsaidSantaFePublic Schools’Reimaginingprojectis “wellwithinbudget.” ThedistricthiredformerSuperintendentVeronicaGarcíaundera nearly$65,000contractforfiscal year2022-23anda$60,000contractrenewalforfiscalyear202324.Bothcontractsincludework beyondthescopeoftheReimagininginitiative,Garcíasaid,estimating onlyabouthalfofher$125,000in laborwillberelatedtotheproject. ProjectmanagersSheilaHyde andJamesLujanalsowerehired toassistindatacollectionand analysis.Thetwoarefocused exclusivelyonReimagining,with nearly$35,000contractsforfiscal year2022-23andupto$20,000 forfiscalyear2023-24. Thecontractsadduptojust over$170,000inlaborcosts.After factoringincidentals,Garcíasaid Reimagining’stotalcostwillbe “notevenclose”tothe$210,000 initiallybudgeted.
‘Reimagining’: Improvements, toughchoices
Sinceprocessbegan, districtenrollmenthas declinedbynearly11%
ByMargaretO’Hara
mohara@sfnewmexican.com
Itbeganin2019,whenSanta FePublicSchoolsoperated with1,000-plusmorestudentsthanarenowenrolled andeducationwasnotyetshaken bythecoronaviruspandemic.
Inapackedmeeting,the schoolboardconsideredclosing threesmallelementaryschools —AcequiaMadre,E.J.Martinez andNava—withproponents citingdecliningenrollment, agingfacilitiesthatrequire renovationsandinequitiesfor studentsacrossthedistrict.
Theaudienceofupsetparentsresistedthepushtoclose schools.Dozensspokebeforethe board.Othershoistedcardboard signsvoicingtheirperspectives.
“Savesmallschools,”onesign said.
“Smallschoolsmatter,”said another.
Ina3-2vote,theschoolboard rejectedtheshutdownproposal thatday.Instead,theshowdown sparkedwhat wouldbecome, afewyears later,SantaFe PublicSchools’ Reimagining effort—a continuingprocessexpected tocostupto $210,000toanalyzepolicies, programsand facilities,andmakesweeping changesintendedtostrengthen thedistrictandimproveeducationforyearstocome.
It’sanopportunitytoimprove teachingandlearning,school boardmemberKateNoblesaid.
“We’vegottofigureouthow todothisdifferentlyandtalk aboutwhatweneedtodofor kidsandlearning,notjustbuildings,”shesaid.
Afternearlyayearofgatheringcommunityinputand spendingtensofthousandsof dollarstomovetheprojectforward,thedistrict’sReimagining steeringcommitteeisstartingto yieldresults:recommendations onchangestohelpthedistrict addresschallengesandmeetits changingneeds.
Sofar,theboardhasimplementedtwonewpoliciesas aresultofReimagining,one aimedatmaintainingstudent inputinschoolimprovement initiativesandoneoutlininga systematicapproachtoclosing andrepurposingschools.
WhentheideaforReimaginingemerged,thedistrict’s studentpopulationhadbeen shiftingsouth,shrinkingenrollmentatschoolsineast-sideand midtownneighborhoodsand crowdingcampusesinsouthern SantaFe.However,enrollment numbershavesincedeclined districtwidebynearly11%to fewerthan12,000students. Someschoolsareoperatingat onlyabouthalftheircapacity andneedmillionsofdollarsin renovationsandimprovements.
Districtschoolshavelost morethan2,000studentsinthe lastdecade,adeclineofmore than14%.
Thesteadydrop,accelerated bythepandemic,meansless statefundingforoperations —about$6,000perstudent— andraisesthestakesforschool boardmembersandadministratorswhomustdecidethebest useofthedistrict’sresources.
WhiletheReimagining processbeganinresponsetoa contentiousefforttoshutdown schools—andwithavowfrom someboardmemberstoavoid schoolclosures—boardPresidentSarahBosessaidboard membersarenotunwillingto closecampuses. Rather,aboardpolicythat stemmedfromthedistrict’s Reimaginingworkhasestablishedaprocessfortheboardto followifitdecidestocloseor repurposeaschoolbecauseof
LilithIndigoleadsthecombinedkindergartenandfirstgradeclassroomduringaquickrun-throughoflettersandthesounds theymakeatTesuqueElementarythismonth.Kindergartenenrollmentinthedistricthasdeclined32%inthelastdecade.
AdecadeofenrollmentdeclineinSantaFe
StatedatashowsSantaFePublicSchoolshaslostmorethan2,000studentsinthelastdecade— notincludingthoseattendingacharterschoolthatshiftedfromdistricttostateoversightinthat timeperiod.Themorethan14%enrollmentdeclinecameevenasnewschoolswereconstructed andotherswererevampedorevenrazedandrebuilt.
*Numbersincludejustover460studentsenrolledatTurquoiseTrailCharterSchool,thencharteredbythedistrict.
SOURCE:NEWMEXICOPUBLICEDUCATIONDEPARTMENT BRIANBARKER/THENEWMEXICAN
Fadingkindergartenenrollment
SantaFePublicSchoolssawa32.2%dropinkindergartenenrollmentatitscampusesinthelastdecade.
transfertoacampusoutside theirzonenowmustfindtheir ownride.Thedistrictaims tobridgethisequitygapby expandingitsbusroutes,some boardmembershavesaid. Asthedistrictcontinuesto evaluateitsresourcesandfacilities,andthecostsrequiredto upgradeandmaintaincampuses asstudentnumbersdwindle,the possibilityofschoolshutdowns looms. Noschoolhasbeenidentified forapotentialclosure,butthe schoolboardapprovedapolicy Aug.24thatoutlinestheproceduresforclosingorrepurposing acampusifthemoveisdeemed necessary. AmendedPolicy534callsfor athree-yeargraceperiodfor familiestotransfertoanother schoolandgraduallyhalting admissionsforstudentsinthe school’slowestgrades.Under thepolicy,studentsdisplacedby aschoolclosurewouldreceive priorityenrollmentinthedistrict’stransferprocess. Thegraceperiodcouldbecut tooneyearundercertainconditions:aschool’senrollment islessthanhalfofitscapacity; itwouldn’tbecost-effectiveto renovatethefacility;thequality ofeducationhasdiminished; orhealthandsafetyconcerns emerge.
*Numberincludes60kindergartnersatTurquoiseTrailCharterSchool.Thesestudentsarenotincludedinoverallrateofdecline.
SOURCE:NEWMEXICOPUBLICEDUCATIONDEPARTMENT
dwindlingstudentnumbersor economicfactors. Thebottomlinewhenit comestoclosingschools:“It doesn’tfeelgoodforanyone, anditsometimesneedstobe done,”Bosessaid. Thedistrict’sReimagining effortofficiallybeganinOctober 2022,followingadelaytiedto thecoronaviruspandemic.A steeringcommitteeofeducators,parents,administratorsand otherstakeholdersconvenedto discussteachingandlearning inthedistrictasdecreasing birthrates,risinghousingcosts andothertrendswerechipping awayatthestudentpopulation. Theproject’sfirstyearwas dedicatedtoinquiry,saidVeronicaGarcía,aformersuperintendentcontractedbythedistrict
toserveasitschiefstrategistfor Reimagining. Schoolboardmembers Roman“Tiger”Abeytaand CarmenGonzalessoughtinput fromstudentswhileboardVice PresidentSaschaAnderson solicitedinputfromIndigenousfamilies.Projectleaders, meanwhile,collectedthousands ofdatapointsfromstudents, parents,teachers,administrators,businessleadersandother communitymembersabout whatworkswellinthepublic schoolsandwhatdoesn’t.
Thefirstfewpolicyrecommendationsfromthesteering committeewerepresentedto theboardthissummer.
Thisschoolyearisthetimefor additionalresearchandapplicationoftheReimaginingproject’s
“ Itdoesn’tfeelgoodforanyone,anditsometimesneedstobedone.”
inquiryphase,Garcíasaid.
Thesteeringcommitteehas identifiedfiveareasoffocusto helpguideitsrecommendations onpoliciesandhowbestto usebuildingsandimprovethe qualityofeducation.Among themarebehavioralhealthand social-emotionallearning,studentrecruitmentandretention, staff recruitmentandretention, andbilingualeducationand specialtyprograms.
Onegoalistoensurestudents andfamiliesareabletochoose theircampussetting,which mightbeonethatliesoutside theirschoolzone.Butthe districtfacesamajorobstacle whenitcomestoproviding equalaccesstoschoolsandthe specialprogramstheyoffer: transportation.Studentswho
DistrictandstatePublic EducationDepartmentdata showsthreeSantaFeschools operatedatlessthan50%of theirfunctionalcapacityinthe 2022-23schoolyear:Chaparral Elementary,SalazarElementary andMilagroMiddleSchool. Severalschools—E.J.Martinez,SweeneyandTesuque elementaryschools,ElDorado CommunitySchool,OrtizMiddleSchoolandtheNyeEarly ChildhoodCenter—hovered fiveorfewerpercentagepoints abovethe50%mark. Notably,thelistdoesn’t includemanysmalleast-side elementaryschools,suchasAcequiaMadre,AtalayaandCarlos Gilbert,andNavainmidtown. Mostofthoseschoolsoperate above80%capacity,butthey’re fullofstudentsfromneighborhoodsoutsidetheirschoolzone. Transferstudentsrepresent49% ofAcequiaMadre’senrollment, 51%ofNava’s,62%ofCarlos Gilbert’sand65%ofAtalaya’s. Theschoolclosurepolicyis intendedtoofferfamiliesand schoolcommunitiesasmuch noticeaspossibleaheadofthe oftencontentiousanduncomfortableprocessofshutting downaschool,Bosessaid. “Ithinkwe’reallreallycommittedtobeinggoodpartners withourcommunity,andthat meansbeingclearanditmeans beingkind,anditalsomeans doinghardthings,”shesaid.
Sarah Boses
‘It’smyfavoriteplacetobe’
ByMargaretO’Hara mohara@sfnewmexican.com
Astheyaddedupnumbersona recentmorning,firstgraders NaveenaSalas,NataliaDizon andAudreyTapiawerein agreement:There’salottolikeabout E.J.MartinezElementarySchool.
Naveenalaudedtheacademicskills she’slearned.“Welearnalot,sowhen wegetolderandolder,wecanlearn more,”shesaid.
Nataliadashedtoherdeskandpulled outapaperlistingallherfavoritethings abouttheschool,withhand-drawngold stars,redheartsandaportraitofher teacher,JulianaValdez.“Scoolisthe best.Ilovemytecher!!”shewrote. Audreysaidshelikescomingto school“becausewe’reallabigfamily.” Thatfeelingpermeatestheschool, saidPrincipalAngeliqueArmijoOrtiz. ShedescribedtheatmosphereofE.J. MartinezusingaSpanishword: Cariño Theschoolcommunityis cariñoso loving,warm,affectionate.
“Thatveinofwarmthgoesthrough theentireschool.Itgoesthroughour classrooms.Itgoesthroughouroutside communitymembers.Itgoesthrough familyengagementevents,”Armijo Ortizsaid.
Asmuchasitislovedandloving, E.J.Martinezfacesbigproblems.State datashowstheschoolisjustover halffull,followingyearsofdwindling enrollment.Itsstudentproficiencyrates inEnglishlanguagearts(28%),math (under20%)andscience(25%)are belowdistrictaverages.Thecampus onSanMateoRoad—whichwillturn 65nextyear—isdeterioratingandin needofmorethan$9millioninroofing, heating,ventilationandairconditioning upgrades,andaboutathirdofthe buildingisoff-limitstostudentsand staff.Theschoolhasbeenidentifiedfor potentialclosurein2017,2018and2019. It’sunclearwhetheritwillagainface thepossibilityofbeingshutdownor repurposedasSantaFePublicSchools continuesitsyear-oldReimagining initiative,aprocessofreexamining theconditionofcampuses,howthey areusedandwaysthedistrictcould improvetheeducationitdeliverstoa decliningnumberofchildrenandyouth onashrinkingoperatingbudget.
E.J.Martinezepitomizesachallengeat thecenterofReimagining:Aschoolcan beinefficientandrun-down,innovative andbeloved—allatthesametime.
DatafromtheNewMexicoPublic EducationDepartmentshowsE.J. Martinezenrolled189studentsinprekindergartenthroughsixthgradeinthe lastschoolyear—54%ofitscapacityof 350students.It’soneofmanyschools inthedistrictservingonlyabouthalf thenumberofkidstheywerebuilt toaccommodate.Itsenrollmenthas droppedbymorethan41%since201314,whenitserved322students.
Enrollmentprojectionsaregrim, forecastingjustthreenewstudentsin10 years.Arecentreportsaysthemajority ofresidentsintheareaare“49yearsor older,”andtherearefewbuildingpermits fornewhousingconstructionnearthe schoolthatmightdrawmorechildren. Decliningenrollmentisn’tunique toSantaFeortoNewMexico.The U.S.DepartmentofEducation’s2023 reportontheconditionofeducation showstraditionalpublicschoolshave notrecoveredfromthe3%dropin totalenrollmentduringthefirstyear ofthecoronaviruspandemic.The publicschoolpopulationisprojected tocontinuetodecreasebyhundreds ofthousandsofstudentseachyear through2031.
E.J.Martinezstudentachievement
NewMexico’sschoolenrollmentsaw oneofthelargestdrops,accordingto thereport—a6%declinebetweenfall 2010andfall2021.Futureenrollment estimatesaredismal:NewMexicois projectedtohaveoneofthelargest decreasesinthenation,withanestimated16%dropinstudentsbetween fall2021andfall2031—onparwith California.
IfSantaFePublicSchools’trend continues,itcouldseeasteeperdecline. Statedatashowsthedistricthaslost14%
ofthestudentsatitsschoolsinthelast decade,witha32.2%dropinthenumber ofkindergartners,largelytheresultof decliningbirthrates.Boardmembersand othersalsociterisinghousingcostsasa factor,forcingfamilieswithchildrento findmoreaffordablehomeselsewhere.
Thedistrict’stotalcertifiedenrollment fellto11,826lastyear.
AsE.J.Martinezlosesstudents,its maintenanceneedsmount.Alargearea ofthebuilding—constructedin1959 andmostrecentlyrenovatedin2005—
wasclosedthissummerbecauseofleaks, accordingtoanAug.30presentationto thedistrict’sCommunityReviewCommittee,apanelthatweighsinoncapital projectsfundedbyvoter-approved bonds.
Theprognosisisgrim:80%ofthe school’sroofmustberemovedand replaced.Oldheating,ventilationand airconditioningequipmentontheroof mustberemovedandreplaced,too.And upgradestothebuilding’sstructureand powersupplyarenecessarytosupport thenewheatingandcoolingequipment.
Theestimatedcostoftheextensive repairstotalsnearly$9.5million.The schoolalsorequiresabout$4million inotherrefurbishments,rangingfrom stuccoandwindowreplacementsto libraryandgymrenovations.
It’sjustoneofmanyagingbuildings inneedofsignificantrepairs.According tothedistrict’sFacilitiesMasterPlan, updatedin2021,maintenanceandconstructionprojectsareexpectedtocost morethan$230millionthrough2026.
Themasterplannotesanalternative tosteeprepaircostsatE.J.Martinez: “schoolreplacement”—ordemolition andreconstruction.
“Themajorbuildingsystems,includingmechanical,electricalandroofing, areattheendoftheusefullifespans,” thedocumentstates.“Theageofthe buildingandmajorsystemsshouldbe consideredbeforeinvestinginrenovationandreplacementcosts.”
DeputySuperintendentofOperations KristyWagnerandExecutiveDirector ofOperationsGabeRomerowrotein theAug.30reportabouttheschool’s
immediateneeds:“Therepairsare extensiveandwilltakeseveralyears inphases.Ifcompletedallatonce,the schoolwillhavetobeclosedforatleast oneyear.”
AssistantSuperintendentCarl Maranosaidtheroofandheating systemrepairsandupgradeswillnot promptaschoolshutdown. ArmijoOrtizsaiddistrictadministratorshavegottencreativeinadapting spacestomeettheneedsofstaff and students.
Theprincipalisaregularpresenceat E.J.Martinez’sdrop-off line.
Shestoodbythelineofvehicleson arecentday,greetingeverystudentby name—“Goodmorning,howareyou?” Sometimes,sheswitchedto“Buenos días”oradded,“Haveagoodday.” Theschool’sculturealsoisvisiblein anunusualroomtuckedintoacorner ofthecafeteria.FilledwithPost-it notes,testscoresandpicturebooks,the roomiswhereteachersgotoimprove theircraft,aidedbyinstructionalcoach JessicaLange.
Traditionally,school-basedinterventionistslikeLangeworkwithstudents, helpingthembuildproficiencyincore subjects.ButE.J.Martinezflipsthat model.
Thephilosophy:Astheteacher improves,sotoodoesthestudent. “IfIcanaffectteachergrowth,then theycanaffectstudentgrowth.Soin here,itisaboutteachersupport,”Lange said.
Likeagoodcoach,Langeknows thestatsofherplayers.Onewallof
3
AmyBiehlCommunitySchool atRanchoViejo
AtalayaElementary
4
CarlosGilbertElementary
5
CésarChávezElementary
6
ChaparralElementary
Gradelevels: Kindergartenthroughsixthgrade.
Numberofstudents,2022-23schoolyear: 192.
Functionalcapacity,includingportables: 404.
Percentoffunctionalcapacity,2022-23schoolyear: 48%.
Yearconstructed: 1972.
ProjectedADAcompliancecost: $542,000.
Totalestimatedcapitalneedsthrough2026: $5.8million.
Totalestimatedcapitalneedsthrough2026: $5.2million.
7
E.J.MartinezElementary
Gradelevels: Pre-Kthroughsixthgrade.
Numberofstudents,2022-23schoolyear: 189.
Functionalcapacity,includingportables: 350.
Percentoffunctionalcapacity,2022-23schoolyear: 54%.
Yearconstructed: 1959.
Yearoflastmajorrenovation: 2005.
ProjectedADAcompliancecost: $147,000.
Totalestimatedcapitalneedsthrough2026:
NavaElementary
Gradelevels: Pre-Kthroughsixthgrade.
Numberofstudents,2022-23schoolyear:
PiñonElementarySchool
Gradelevels: Pre-Kthroughsixthgrade. Numberofstudents,2022-23schoolyear: 545. Functionalcapacity,includingportables: 579.
Percentoffunctionalcapacity,2022-23schoolyear: 94%.
Yearconstructed: Approximately1978.
Yearoflastmajorrenovation: 2012.
ProjectedADAcompliancecost: $21,000. Totalestimatedcapitalneedsthrough2026: $3.7million. 10
RamirezThomasElementary
Gradelevels: Pre-Kthroughfifthgrade. Numberofstudents,2022-23schoolyear: 420. Functionalcapacity,includingportables: 594. Percentoffunctionalcapacity,2022-23schoolyear: 71%.
Yearconstructed: 2003.
Yearoflastmajorrenovation: 2016.
ProjectedADAcompliancecost: $33,000.
Totalestimatedcapitalneedsthrough2026: $1.8million. 11
SalazarElementarySchhool
Gradelevels: Pre-Kthroughsixthgraade Numberofstudents,2022-23schoolyeea 205
Functionalcapacity,includingportabless: 454
Percentoffunctionalcapacity,2022-23 3 schoo yea 45%.
Yearconstructed: 2001.
Yearoflastmajorrenovation: 2004.
ProjectedADAcompliancecost: $149,0000 Totalestimatedcapitalneedsthrough22026 $1.6million.
17
AspenCommunitySchool
Gradelevels: Pre-Kthrougheighthgrade.
Numberofstudents,2022-23schoolyear: 367.
Functionalcapacity,includingportables: 587.
Percentoffunctionalcapacity,2022-23schoolyear: 63%.
Yearconstructed: 1980. Yearoflastmajorrenovation: 2019.
ProjectedADAcompliancecost: $0. Totalestimatedcapitalneedsthrough2026: $500,000.
ElCaminoRealAcademy
Gradelevels: Pre-Kthrougheighthgrade.
Numberofstudents,2022-23schoolyear: 778.
Functionalcapacity,includingportables: 943.
Percentoffunctionalcapacity,2022-23schoolyear: 83%.
Yearconstructed: 2014.
Yearoflastmajorrenovation: Notapplicable.
ProjectedADAcompliancecost: $93,000.
Totalestimatedcapitalneedsthrough2026: $800,000.
18
ElDoradoCommunitySchool
Gradelevels: Kindergartenthrougheighthgrade.
Numberofstudents,2022-23schoolyear: 396.
Functionalcapacity,includingportables: 714.
Percentoffunctionalcapacity,2022-23schoolyear: 55%.
Yearconstructed: Approximately1980.
Yearoflastmajorrenovation: 2012.
ProjectedADAcompliancecost: $87,000.
Totalestimatedcapitalneedsthrough2026: $2.5million.
19
GonzalesCommunitySchool
Gradelevels: Kindergarten-eighthgrrade
Numberofstudents,2022-23schoolyeear 319
Functionalcapacity,includingportables s 470
Percentoffunctionalcapacity,2022-23 3 schoolyear: 68%. Yearconstructed: Approximately1952 2
Yearoflastmajorrenovation: 2011.
ProjectedADAcompliancecost: $466,0000
Totalestimatedcapitalneedsthrough22026 $8.3million.
Manyschools,fewer r students
SByMargaretO’Hara mohara@sfnewmexican.com
antaFePublicSchools hasamiddleschool problem. Specifically,thedistrict hasstruggledtoretainstudents astheyheadtowardmiddle school.
It’saconsistentpatternconfirmedbystateenrollmentdata: Thedistricthemorrhagesstudentsastheymaketheuneasy jumptoseventhandeighth grades—butthengainshigh schoolfreshmen.Bothofthedistrict’straditionalmiddleschools arenowoperatingatabouthalf oftheirfunctionalcapacity, whileSantaFeHighandCapital Highareatleast90%full.
Inthelastschoolyear,the district’sschoolsenrolled48.5% moreninthgradersthaneighth graders,statedatashows.
Howtorecruitandretain studentsamiddecliningbirthratesandhigh housingcosts thathavedriven somefamilies outoftheSanta Feareaisone ofthedistrict’s topprioritiesas itundergoesthe Reimagining process.Certifiedenrollment datafromthe NewMexicoPublicEducation Departmentshowsitfacesa steepchallenge.Between2013-14 and2022-23,kindergartennumbersdeclinedby32.2%,comparedtoanoverallenrollment declineof14%.Middleschool numbersdeclinedby20%. Meanwhile,therewasnonet changeinthenumberofhigh schoolstudentsinthepast decadeandamorethan10% increaseinfreshmen.
Thenumbersaren’tsurprising toJenniferO’Brien,theparent ofasixthgrader.“Whenyouget tomiddle[school],it’slikeyour choicesjustcompletelydropoff acliff,”shesaid. Drawingkidsbacktothe district,particularlyafterthe coronaviruspandemicacceleratedwhatotherwisehasbeena steadylossofstudentsinthelast decade,isoneoffivebroadgoals forSantaFeschoolboardmembers,administratorsandleaders oftheyear-oldReimaginingprocess—whichaimstoensurethe districtismakingthebestuse ofitsresourcesandfacilitiesto providehigh-qualityeducation inthefaceofdwindlingstudents numbers.
Reimagininghastoremain focused,saidschoolboard memberKateNoble,whohelped kickstarttheeffort.
Theendeavorhastoinvolve targetedinquiryandrecommendationsaimedatspecific improvements,shesaid:“Forme, Reimaginingcan’tbeabsolutely everythingbecausethenitmight benothing.”
Asteeringcommittee carryingouttheReimagining processestablishedthefive centralthemesaftermonthsof surveyingstudents,educators, administrators,parentsand otherkeystakeholders.Among them:behavioralhealthand social-emotionallearning,studentrecruitmentandretention, staff recruitmentandretention, andbilingualeducationand specialtyprograms.
Someoftheprioritiescallfor thecontinuationofprograms thedistrictalreadyhasimple-
StudentsatOrtizMiddleSchoolheadtotheirclassesonthefirstdayofschoollastmonth.Ortizhadanenrollmentof441studentslastyear,50%ofcampuscapacity.
Missinginthemiddle
Atoppriorityindistrict’s‘Reimagining’process:Reversingthelossofstudentsinseventh,eighthgrades
School—whichhadbeenrazed tomakewayforamoresuitable campus—wouldimprovethe outlookforstudentproficiency andnotedanuptickinenrollmentonthefirstday.
Theincreasedidn’tlast.
Statedatashowstheofficial studentnumberthatyearwas justover500kids.Inthelast schoolyear,Milagroserved383 students—45%ofthenumberit wasbuilttoaccommodate.
Thenumberofseventhandeighthgraders inthedistricteachyearinthelastdecade:
SOURCE:NEWMEXICOPUBLICEDUCATIONDEPARTMENT
BRIANBARKER/THENEWMEXICAN SantaFePublicSchools’missingmiddleschoolers
Inthelastdecade,SantaFePublicSchoolshasseena20%decreaseinthenumberofseventhand eighthgradersitserves,ahighernumberthanthedistrictwidestudentdeclineof14%.Butmiddle schoolshavealargerproblem:Dozensandevenhundredsofstudentsdisappearfromrostersduring seventhandeighthgradeandthenreturntothedistrictashighschoolfreshmen.Statedatashowsa 10.5%increaseinninthgradersinthelastdecadeandnonetchangeinthenumberofhighschool studentsoverall.Whilethedifferenceinenrollmentofeighthgradersandninthgradershasvariedeach year,theratedramaticallyincreasedtoseveralhundredstudentsinthepost-pandemicyears.Therate ofincreasebetweeneighthandninthgradeenrollmentwas35.6%in2021-22and48.5%in2022-23.
mented,saidSuperintendent Hilario“Larry”Chavez,such asthisyear’snewdistrictwide social-emotionallearningdays andbudgetstrategiestoprevent thelossoftheeducationworkforce.
Here’showithappens,Chavez said:Afterfifthorsixthgrade, studentsdisappearfromSanta FePublicSchools,astheir familiesoptinsteadforpublicly funded,tuition-freecharter schoolsorprivateeducation.
Hisobservationisbackedby data.Whiletheoveralldecline inmiddleschoolersinthepast decadewas20%—higherthan thedistrictwidedropof14%— enrollmentnumbersforeach yearshowdozensandsometimeshundredsofkidsmissing inseventhandeighthgrades. Studentsthenreturntothedistrictashighschoolfreshmen.
ofperception. “There’sso manymisconceptionsabout ourmiddle schoolsand whattheyoffer andwhatis possible,”she said.“Ithinkif peopleactually couldgointhe doorsandmeettheteachersand seetheprogramming,[they] wouldbeblownawaywiththe vastopportunities.”
SchoolboardPresident SarahBosesalsoseesroomfor improvementtoseventhand eighthgradeprogramstoensure studentsandfamiliesarebetter supportedduringthetumultuoustransitiontomiddleschool —ataskshesaidthedistrict’s Reimaginingeffortisexpectedto takeon.
Amiddleschool ‘perceptionproblem’?
Otherareasoffocus—studentrecruitment,bilingualeducationandspecialprograms— couldleadtosignificantchanges forSantaFePublicSchools.
amidtowncampuswithstate-ofthe-artfacilitiesthatpromised endlesspossibilities.Theday cameafteryearsofturmoiland transitionasthedistrictconsolidatedtwodistinctmiddleschool communities.
Morethan620seventhand eighthgraderssteppedintoa brand-new,$30.3millionMilagro MiddleSchoolinAugust2019at
Amorebilingualapproach
‘Reimagining’could resultinexpansionof dual-languagelearning
ByMargaretO’Hara mohara@sfnewmexican.com
DeniseRappmundcallsither “pipedream.”
Ifshehadherway,every schoolinthedistrictwould bemodeledafterElCamino RealAcademy,whichoffersall studentsinprekindergartento eighthgradeatrulybilingual educationinEnglishandSpanish. Thedual-languageapproach, Rappmundsaid,“helpscreate studentsthataregrowingupas globalcitizens,”pronetomore culturalandlinguisticawareness. “Justbeingabletocommunicatewithmorepeople—within
thiscommunity butintheworld —that’sreally beneficial,”she said.
Theparentof asixthgrader attendingEl DoradoCommunitySchool andamember ofSantaFePublicSchools’ Reimaginingsteeringcommittee, Rappmundhopesforamore bilingualapproachtoeducation acrossthedistrict. She’snotalone.Thoughthe districtoperates10bilingual andmulticulturalprograms, includingatSantaFeHighand CapitalHigh,Reimagining’s inquiryphaseuncovereda“tremendousdemand”forbilingual education,saidVeronicaGarcía, thedistrict’schiefstrategistfor
theReimaginingprocess.
Reimaginingcouldpromptan expansionofbilingualprograms, creatingopportunitiesformore studentswhoaimforfluency intwolanguagesandawayto addresseducationimprovementsforEnglishlanguage learners,boardmemberKate Noblesaid.
“Thisisarealitythatweneed toaddressandagreathopefor whatcouldbe,”sheadded.
Fewerthan1in5English languagelearnersinthedistrictis performingatgradelevelinmath, scienceandEnglishlanguage arts,accordingtostatePublic EducationDepartmentdata. That’ssignificantlylowerthan districtwideproficiencyrates.
“Todowellbykidswhosefirst languageisnotEnglishiscontinuallysomethingwe’reworking on,”Noblesaid.
Educatorshopedthenew building,constructedatthesite oftheoldDeVargasMiddle
Datafromthelasttwoyears showsninthgradersoutnumberedeighthgradersby314studentsin2021-22and423lastyear. VeronicaGarcía,aformer superintendentwhowashired asthedistrict’schiefstrategist fortheReimaginingprocess, saidthemiddlegradesarea majorfocusoftheReimagining committee’swork.Sheseesthe probleminlargepartasamatter
Middleschoolstudents’reputationformisbehavior—one disputedbyteachersandadministrators—doesn’thelpcurbthe decline.Nordolowproficiency ratesatOrtizMiddleSchooland Milagro.Bothseetheirratesfall belowthedistrict’saverages, withlessthan20%ofstudents proficientinmathandscienceat bothschools.
Thoughstudentsoftenreturn forhighschool,theirdisappearancefrompublicschoolrosters inseventhandeighthgrades harmsthedistrict,Chavezsaid,
Kate Noble
Veronica García
Studentsdanceonthefieldonthefirstdayofclassesatthethen-newMilagroMiddleSchoolin2019.Inthelastschoolyear,Milagroserved383students—45%ofthenumberitwasbuilttoaccommodate.
leadingtodropsinstatefundingandstaffing uncertainties.
“Weknowthatthatisatargetareaforustoreally trytoinvestinandclosethathole—becauseitreally doeshurtusinthelongrun,”thesuperintendentsaid. Onesolutionmightbethedevelopmentofmore magnetprograms,Garcíasaid.Shepredictedsuch programs—centeredonthemeslikebilingualism orenvironmentaleducation—couldcoaxstudents backtotraditionalmiddleschoolsorK-8communityschools.
Officialsalsocitedaneedforbettercommunicationwithfamilies.
Whenitcomestoselectingamiddleschool, Bosessaid,parentsoftenworrytheirchildwon’t thriveinalargeschoolafterattendingasmallelementaryorfearatraditionalpublicmiddleschool won’toffercareer-boostingopportunitiesthat wouldgivetheirchildalegupforthefuture.
“Parentshavefears,andI’vecertainlyhadfears inmy25yearsofbeingamom.SoIgetthat,and it’ssupervalid,”shesaid.
DecisionsonE.J.Martinez, formerCapshawcampus improvementsawait
ByMargaretO’Hara mohara@sfnewmexican.com
Thequestionofhowmuchcapital outlayfromvoter-approvedbondsto reallocatetotwobuildingsinneedof significantrepairswillloomlargethis fallasSantaFePublicSchoolscontinuesitsReimaginingefforts.
TheCommunityReviewCommittee—whichadvisestheschool boardonbondfundspending— discussedWednesdaynightwhether torecommendtheboardshiftmoney earmarkedforotherprojectstosalvage E.J.MartinezElementarySchool, whichservesasteeplydecliningstudentpopulation,andtheoldCapshaw MiddleSchoolcampus,whichhouses anonlineacademy.
ThecommitteemadenorecommendationsWednesday,optinginsteadto gathermoreinformation.
E.J.Martinez’sroofisattheendofits usefullife.
Thetoplayeroftheroof’scoating haspuckeredunderyearsofsunand snow,saidGabeRomero,executive directorofoperations.Thecoating wasputonabouteightyearsagoand coversdeterioratingmaterial.
“There’snotanythingleftunder therethat’ssalvageable,”hesaid.“We can’tsprayanothercoatingontopof that.” Romerosaidtheschoolalsoneeds electricalandstructuralupgradesto supportanewheating,ventilationand airconditioningsystem.
Theprojectisestimatedtocost around$9.5million,anditcould shutterthebuildingforayear,forcing studentsandstaff tomovetoanother location.
TheCommunityReviewCommittee canrecommendtheschoolboard reallocate$11million—apricethat includesprojectionsforincreased constructioncostsandwouldexceed astatethresholdtorecommendnew constructionratherthanrenovation.
TheNewMexicoPublicSchool FinanceAuthoritysaysifrenovations exceed60%ofthecosttocompletely rebuildaschool,thepreferenceisto rebuild. GeneBostwick,thedistrict’sdirector ofconstruction,estimatedacomplete rebuildofE.J.Martinezwouldcost$12 millionto$15million.
TheoldCapshawMiddleSchool buildingnowhousesDesertSage Academy,thedistrict’sonlineK-12 school.Whilemostoftheschool’s
learningisconductedremotely,10DesertSagestaff membersworkon-site, Romerosaid.
Thebuildingalsoprovidesstorage spaceforthedistrict.
Constructedaround1978and largelywindowless,thebuildinghas significantneeds.Afacilitiesmaster planoutlinesmorethan$17.5million innecessaryconstructionprojectsat thesite.
Thecommitteehastwooptions, Romerosaid:Itcouldrecommendthe allocationoffundstodemolishthe building,oritcouldrecommendreallocationofabout$6milliontoallowthe buildingto“limpalongforafewmore years.”
Inadditiontomajorchangesunder considerationattheE.J.Martinezand Capshawbuildings,planningandconstructionareongoingatseveralsites:
◆ MajorrenovationsatSantaFe HighSchoolandtheEarlyCollege OpportunitiesHighSchool,including theconstructionofcommonareasand cafeteriaspacesatbothschools,are scheduledforcompletioninNovember.
◆ Constructionofanewsolar-paneledcarportatAspenCommunity School—similartoonenowinoperationatMilagroMiddleSchool—isset forcompletionbyNovember.
◆ Districtofficialsareclosetocompletingschematicsforanestimated $26.5millionprojectrenovatingabout 20,000squarefeetandconstructing anadditional70,000squarefeetof spaceatMandelaInternationalMagnet School.
◆ Thedistrictisalsoclosetocompletingplansforlighting,Americans withDisabilitiesActcompliance,and heating,ventilationandairconditioningupgradesatOrtizMiddleSchool. Theprojectlikelywilltakesixmonths tocomplete.
◆ Designsarenearlycompletefor outdoorlearningspacesatAcequia MadreElementarySchool,Capital HighSchool,ElDoradoCommunity SchoolandGonzalesCommunity School.
◆ DistrictofficialsarestudyingCapitalHighSchool’smaincampusentry andexitlanestoreviewtraffic,security andparkingissues.
◆ Bostwicksaidthedistrictis hopingtorequestproposalswithina monthtoconstructanew$3.7million transportationcampus,whichwill significantlyexpanditscapacityfor electricschoolbuses.
Morerobustrecruitmentprograms,with opportunitiesforcampusvisitsand“shadowing,” inwhichprospectivestudentsspendthedaywith aseventhoreighthgrader,mightassuagesomeof thosefears,Bosessaid.
Sheenvisionsthepossibilityofamiddleschool fair,similartoacollegefair,inwhichallofthedistrict’sschoolsservingthemiddlegradesmeetwith prospectivestudentsandtheirfamiliesinasingle location.StudentscouldlearnaboutOrtizMiddle School’sbiomedicalsciencescareerexploration programandfindoutaboutopportunitiestotransferintoanyoneofthedistrict’sfiveK-8schools aswellasMandelaInternationalMagnetSchool, whichservesstudentsingrades7-12.
Amiddleschoolfairwouldofferthat“personal touch”missingfromthecurrentmiddleschool selectionprocess,Bosesadded. “Middleschoolisreallyaweaknessinthedistrict.…It’sbeeninterestingtoexplorethatandto hearwhatparentsandfamiliesandstudentshave tosayaboutthatbecause,ultimately,weneedto makeprogrammingthatisrelevanttothem,”she said.
GABRIELACAMPOS/THENEWMEXICAN BusdriverEliMadridpreparestotransportstudentsfromElCaminoRealAcademythismonth.
Thetroublewithtransportationequity
Gettingstudentstothe schooloftheirchoiceisa logisticalchallengeforSFPS
ByMargaretO’Hara mohara@sfnewmexican.com
SchoolboardmembersSascha AndersonandSarahBoseshavebeen thinkingaboutakeyequityissuefor years:Thedistrict’stransfersystem, whichallowsstudentstoenrollin schoolsoutsidetheirhomeschool zone,doesn’tprovidetransportationfor transferstudents. Hundredsofstudentsparticipatein thetransferprogrameachyear.The majorityofthestudentpopulation atsomeofthesmallereast-sideelementaryschoolsaretransferstudents —65%atAtalayaand62%atCarlos Gilbert. Specialprogramsalsodrawtransfer students.Forinstance,40%ofthe studentsatElCaminoRealAcademy transferredfromanotherzone,andit’s likelymanychosetheschoolforits dual-languageprogram.
Butifafamilydecidestoenrolla childinaschooloutsidetheirzone, theymustprovidetransportationto andfromtheschool.Thatcreatesa burdenforworkingparents,mostof
whomdon’thaveuptoanhouroffree timearound8a.m.and3p.m.,Andersonsaid.
“Lotsandlotsofparentsareworkingorwithanillfamilymemberor simplydon’thavetransportation,”she said.“That’salotofgas;that’salotof money.”
Creatinganequitabletransportation systemisparticularlyimportantamid theReimaginingprocess,whichcould yieldmorespecialtymagnetprograms acrossthedistrictandfurtherincrease thenumberoftransferstudents,said VeronicaGarcía,thedistrict’schief strategistforReimagining. Thetaskislikelytobedifficult,as thestateandnationarewranglingwith abusdrivershortage.SantaFePublic Schoolsisadequatelystaffedwithdrivers,butonlyforexistingroutes.The rapidadditionofdozensofbusroutes mightnotbepossible,Bosessaid.
Ratherthanimposeanimpossible mandate,BosesandAndersonhopeto playthelonggame:increasingschool busridershipovertimetosustainand eventuallyaddroutes,includingthose servingtransferstudents.
Muchliketheschoollunchprogram, thedistrict’sbusservicerevenue dependsonridership,Bosessaid.More kidsonthebusequalsmorestate fundingforbuses,whichinturncreates
“ Lotsandlots ofparentsare workingorwithan illfamilymemberor simplydon’thave transportation.That’s alotofgas;that’s alotofmoney.”
Schoolboardmember SaschaAnderson
opportunitiestohiremoredriversand increasepay. Andersonsaidtheplanistohelp familiesunderstandthebenefitsofbus riding,includingtheecologicaleffects, safetyandconvenience.Studentscan dotheirhomeworkonthedistrict’s Wi-Fi-equippedbuses,sheadded. “Peopleshouldgettochoosethe environmentandtheschoolsettingand theprogrammingthat’sbestfortheir kids,”Bosessaid,“andthatshouldn’tbe dependentonwhetherornottheycan drivethemallthewayacrosstown.”
8
LByMargaretO’Hara mohara@sfnewmexican.com
uLuChildress’pathinto GonzalesCommunity Schooleachmorningdiffersfromtheroutetaken bysomeofherpeers. She’sgreetedbyaschool crossingguardandherone-ononeeducationalaide.Shehits abuttontoopenthebuilding’s frontdoorsandglidesthrough thehallwaysinawheelchairas sheheadstoherfourthgrade classroom.
LuLuhascerebralpalsy,a motordisabilitythataffects hermusclesbuthasn’tcaused cognitiveimpairment,saidher mother,ElizabethChildress.
Forthemostpart,Childress said,schoolofficialshave beengreatwhenitcomesto problem-solvingtomeetLuLu’s needs.Herdeskisstockedwith assistivetechnology,includinga largemonitorandajoystickto movehercomputercursor.She ispulledoutofclassforregular assistivephysicaleducationand toengageinphysical,occupationalandspeechtherapies.The schoollibraryisloadedwith booksrelatedtowheelchairuse anddisabilities.
ButtherearepartsofGonzales’campusLuLucan’taccess— orcan’taccessonherown.
Thoughtheplaygroundoffers anadaptiveswing,there’sno wheelchair-accessiblepathto theswing,meaningLuLuwould needhelpfromheraidetoget there.
Ifherfriendsdecidetospend recessonthefield,LuLusaid, shehastofindsomeoneelse toplaywith—orplayalone —becauseshecan’tnavigate unpackeddirtorwoodchipsin herwheelchair.
Thesekindsofaccessibility limitsaren’texclusivetoGonzales.AlmostallofSantaFePublic Schools’campusesaremissing necessarycomponentstoensure accessibilityforpeoplewith disabilities.Theneedsrange fromrelativelyquickfixes— likeswitchingoutdoorknobsor installingverticalgrabbarsin restrooms—tomajorrenovationsofgymnasiums,bathrooms, classrooms,performingarts facilitiesandplaygrounds.
Mostlocalpublicschools, builtdecadesago,weren’t designedtoaccommodatedisabilities.
Thedistrict’sAmericanswith DisabilitiesActTransitionPlan, completedinMarchbyathirdpartyconsultingfirm,includesa to-dolistof150projectstobring campusesintocomplianceata totalestimatedcostofmorethan $10million.
Asthedistrictreexaminesand prioritizesitsfacilitiesandtheir needsthroughtheReimagining process,italsoisconsidering waystoimproveaccessfor studentswithdisabilities,school boardmemberKateNoblesaid. Reimagining—launched lastyearwithagoalofmaking sweepingchangestotheway thedistrictdeliverseducation, fromitspoliciesandprogramsto theuseofitsbuildings—offers anopportunitytobettertailor servicesandfacilitiestoallstu-
MargaretO’Hara istheeducation reporterfor The SantaFeNew Mexican.She previouslyworked at TheSheridan Press inSheridan, Wyo.,andisagraduateofthe UniversityofCalifornia,Irvine.
Aspartof‘Reimagining,’districtconsideringways toimproveaccessforstudentswithdisabilities
ABOVE:ElizabethChildressof SantaFebringsherdaughter, LuluChildress,9,toGonzalez CommunitySchoolthismonth. LuLuhascerebralpalsy,amotordisabilitythataffectsher musclesbuthasn’tcaused cognitiveimpairment.
TOP:Luluenjoysstorytime atthelibraryatGonzalez CommunitySchool.
PHOTOSBYLUISSÁNCHEZSATURNO THENEWMEXICAN
dents’circumstances,andfocus oncompliancewithfederallaw, Noblesaid. UndertheADA,LuLuhasa righttoaccessallofherschool’s programsandallareasofthe campus.
Studentswithdisabilities havetherighttoaccess“everythingequally”atschool,said BernadineChavez,directorof programservicesatDisability
RightsNewMexico.
TherightstemsfromTitle2of theAmericanswithDisabilities Act,passedin1990,whichstates peoplewithdisabilitiesmust begivenequalaccesstopublic facilities,servicesandprograms. Section504oftheRehabilitation Actof1973alsoforbidsfederally fundedagenciesfromdenying servicestopeoplewithdisabilities.
However,mostpublicschools inSantaFepredatetheADA,and manyofthempredateSection 504.Accordingtothedistrict’s ADATransitionPlan,theaverageageofacampusis45.
Agedoesn’tabsolveold schoolsfromADAcompliance, BernadineChavezsaid:They mustmeetmodern-daycodes whentheyundergo“significantrenovations.”Untilthen, schoolofficialsmustnegotiate reasonableaccommodationsfor
JulianaValdezgivessomeencouragementtoDanvanthMaheshkumarwhileworkingonmathinher split-gradeclassatE.J.Martinezthis month. JIMWEBER/THENEWMEXICAN
‘It’smy favorite placetobe’
theretrofittedclassroomislinedwith proficiencydata,showingeachstudent’s mathandreadinglevels.ThePost-its, meanwhile,helpteachersplanoutwhen they’llcovereachacademicstandard withinanine-weekquarter.
Teachersspendanhourortwowith Langeeachweekwhiletheirstudents areinart,music,libraryandphysical educationclasses.
AlexVanCamp,ateacheratE.J.Martinezforthelasteightyears,saidshe lovesthecommunitythat’ssprungup aroundtheschool.
“It’smyfavoriteplacetobe,”shesaid. Shehelpedherstudentsbrainstorm sourcesofsupportduringalessontied tothedistrict’ssocial-emotionalcurriculum,designedtohelpstudentsfeel emotionallyequippedfortheschool day.
“Whatcanwedoifwedon’tknow howtodosomething?”VanCampasked
individualstudents.
Somedistrictbuildingsare easierfordisabledstudentsto accessthanothers,accordingto theADATransitionPlan.
Builtin2019,MilagroMiddle Schoolwouldrequirejustunder $10,000tobringituptoADA standards.
ThebuildinghousingMandela InternationalMagnetSchool, constructedin1940asanelementaryschool,wouldrequireabout $6,000inrepairstostairways, walkwaysandpicnictables.
AspenCommunitySchoolis completelyADAcompliant.
Severalolderelementary schoolswillrequiremorethan $100,000inADAupgrades,with ChaparralElementaryneeding morethan$500,000.Capital HighandSantaFeHighwill eachrequiremorethan$1.5milliontoreachcompliance.
SuperintendentHilario
“Larry”Chavezsaidthedistrict ischippingawayatitsADA to-dolist:“It’stakingoneproject atatime,checkingtheboxthat it’scompleted,andmovingonto thenext—becausewedohave manyprojects.”
Worktocrossitemsoff the listbeganimmediatelyafterthe completionoftheADATransitionPlan,Chavezsaid,butthe districthasnosettimelinefor finishingalltheprojects.
“Wewanttomakesurethat wearecomplying,thatwe’re providingaccessibilitytothose thatneedit,”Chavezsaid.
GonzalesCommunitySchool isamongthecampusesrequiring themostADAcompliance upgrades,withtheTransition Planoutlining$465,000in projects.Lockerroomsneed renovations.Theschool’ssmall gymneedsanewconcreteramp andhandrails.Thehandicapped
parkingspaceswhereChildress dropsoff LuLueachdayneedto berestriped. Childresssaidtheless-accessiblepartsoftheschoolgrounds —liketheplayyardthatLuLu’s wheelchaircan’teasilytraverse andtheadaptiveswingshecan’t accessonherown—affect LuLu.Theylimitherabilityto besocialandplaywithother students.
“Assoonasyoutakeawayher abilitytouseherwheelchairto getsomewhere,shelosesher independence.She’sdependent onotherpeople,typically adults,”Childresssaid.
“Kids,whenthey’reoutat recess,theydon’twanttohang outwithadults,”sheadded. “Theywanttohangoutwith otherkids.So,Ithinkinthat regard,it’sreallylimitedher frombeingabletojustbeakid withotherkids.”
theclass.
“Askforhelp,”thestudents responded.
“Whoaresomepeopleyoucangoto forhelp?”theteacherasked. Studentspipedup,namingpeople intheirlives:friends,peers,teachers, familymembers.
Asthedistrict’sReimaginingeffort continues,it’spossibleE.J.Martinez willagaincomeunderconsiderationfor closure.
Fornow,ArmijoOrtizisfocused onwhatshecancontrol:herstudents’ education.It’sherresponsibilityasan administrator,ateacherandamember
oftheSantaFecommunitytocontinue withbusinessasusualattheschool, providingopportunitiesfor“exceptional growth”forherstudents,shesaid. “We’reopentoday,andwe’reopen thisschoolyear,”theprincipalsaid.“I hopewe’reopennextyear,andIhope we’reopenformanyyearstocome.”