May 9th, 2023, Special Election What's it About? GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND SB9 & HB33 MILL LEVIES

AlamogordoTownNews.com and Krazy KALHRadio.org 95.1 FM representatives have had phone dialogue and meetings with representative of the Alamogordo Public School System to better understand the Bond issue before the public and to work with the parties to explain the process to the public.

This is a special election to reaffirm an already in existence program of 2 bonds and a mill levy.  This election does NOT increase taxes nor place additional obligations on taxpayers as it is an already existing set of bonds and a mill levy. This act just reaffirms continued funding of these existing programs for the next several years. 

Anthony Lucero of Krazy KALHRadio.org interviewed Colleen Tagle, Deputy Superintendent and excerpts from her interview are playing this week in our daily newscast. 

AlamogordoTownNews.com journalist, Chris Edwards, hosted a meeting with representatives of the school system to have a face-to-face discussion on what is before the voters and to better understand the process. We hosted Deputy Superintendent, Colleen Tagle, Interim Superintendent, Pamela Renteria, and School Board Member, Amanda French Jewell. 

On our side, we invited retired Coach Bob Sepulveda who worked within the school system for over 30 years and who the Alamogordo High School Track and Field is named after. We also hosted Rita Sepulveda who is a local retiree and active community partner and artisan.  The two were invited to provide us their thoughts on the presentation and on the issues discussed.

What we found was a group of public servants that are very committed to the public school system and to the children within the purview of the APS System.

The facts:

Alamogordo Public Schools is holding a Special Election and the mail-in ballots have been sent to all registered voters in the APS School District. That’s why it’s more important than ever to watch your mailbox!

Please take a few minutes to answer yes or no to the three ballot questions and return it to the Otero County Clerk’s office no later than Tuesday, May 9th.

“Ensuring that our students, teachers & staff have the resources they need to grow and thrive is the top priority of the system staff and board of education. The bond and mill levies are utilized for capital outlay and infrastructure projects, technology, and facility maintenance. The community can learn more on our website at www.allin4ourkids.org,” said Acting Superintendent Pam Renteria.

The community's continued support of the General Obligation Bond and the current SB9 and HB33 Mill Levies will not increase the current tax rate and will not impose a new tax. 

Approval of these questions will help provide funds needed to lift our older schools to a higher level, increasing safety and security, improving indoor and outdoor learning environments, athletics, technology, and building systems. These funds cannot be used for salaries and are designated for capital improvement, infrastructure and maintenance projects that are critical to our students, teachers and staff.

Have questions? Visit the special election website at www.allin4ourkids.org to find answers to frequently asked questions, videos, sample ballots, links to valuable resources and more. You can also send questions to communications@alamogordoschools.org or call the Otero County Clerk’s office at 575-437-4942 if you have specific questions related to the ballot.

Watch for your mail-in ballot, vote, and return it to the Otero County Clerk’s office by May 9th.

The interview:

We spent almost 2 hours in dialog with the representatives of APS for an intimate and candid meeting. Expectations on these three public servants was high and each were enthusiastic, well versed in any question one might have and each were very candid and transparent.

We did ask some difficult questions around recent controversies with APS, pending litigation and or personnel issues. Each were transparent and responsive as much as they could be and still comply with legal requirements of confidentiality.

One thing rang true regardless of who sits on the board or in leadership roles in the future each are committed to the kids and ensuring future leadership has the funding necessary to carry to school system forward to future needs.

Superintendent Renteria stood firm in her stance that “the needs of children born this year will be distinctly different than the needs of the seniors at Alamogordo High School today” thus “these measures are important to get ahead and plan for the educational needs today and of kids 10 to 15 years from now.” She continued that, “technology is evolving, the safety needs of kids in schools is complex and changing, and ALL the schools in the district are needing to level up in order meet student needs. There should not be the disparity between North and newer schools. The priority now, is with this continued funding, to close the gaps on those disparities in safety and technology tools among other priorities.”

School board Member, Amanda French Jewel emphasized her commitment to transparency and the safety and security of all kids in Alamogordo. “Equal protection for the safety and safeguarding our students is a priority, no matter what school, each should have an equal level of safety and security and this funding ensures that going forward,” said Jewell.

Coach Bob Sepulveda mentioned to the group that,  in 1964 when he came to the system “it ranked #3 in the nation and was the highest paying system in the nation. Quality facilities, quality teachers and an engaged community with a supportive school board was a boon for the Alamogordo community.” He continued and said that throughout his career here that “bond measures passed easily for the schools, there was significant public pride in the system, and that none of the divisive nonsense of today existed. He said “dialog was civil and the public and the school board and faculty all were committed to what was best for the kids.”

He concluded that “small one on one discussions and dialog like today with citizens goes a long way to building trust. I’m all in.”

Rita Sepulveda also present, expressed her appreciation for “the candor of the leaders and that transparency as discussed with the expenditures exposed on the APS website it helps build trust” and that she has confidence in continuing the levy and the bonds. 

Ballots are in the mail. Fill them out and either mail them or drop them at the county building to ensure receipt. 

At AlamogordoTownNews.com, AlamogordoConservstiveDaily.org and at Krazy KALHRadio.org 95.1 FM, “we are all in for our community of kids and we hope our community is too!”

Join us and vote yes before May 9th, 2023

To learn more listen to the interview with Colleen Tagle, Deputy Superintendent of Alamogordo Public Schools on the Alamogordo Town News Radio Edition Podcast on Krazy KALHRadio.org Alamogordo Community Radio 95.1 

https://spotify.link/ol6iLRVp9yb

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