1-11-2024 11:31pm

Michael Crabtree Interim Superintendent Pam Renteria Out

Chris Edwards Editor

Alamogordo Public Schools Board of Education met in special public session and then closed door session reconvening in public session on Friday 11-11-24.

As expected the newly elected APS board via unanimous vote opted to suspend Mrs. Renteria placing her on paid administrative leave pending investigation. The board met for over 4 and a half hours reviewing options and updates on the multiple pending cases of litigation against the APS which were inherited by the newly elected members of the board and the existing board members.

The board then voted and approved the selection of Michael Crabtree as acting interim Superintendent until which time the board reinstates Mrs Rentería or hires an acceptable successor as permanent Superintendent for the APS system.

The interim Superintendent, Michael Crabtree was hired at an annual salary of $140,000 annually plus benefits. Mrs. Renteria will continue drawing her salary while on paid administrative leave as per state law and the terms of her contract.

Michael Crabtree has most recently served as an elementary school principal. Crabtree was originally hired in June of 2015 by Alamogordo Public Schools as a coach for baseball. Alamogordo Public Schools Director of Athletics at the time, Jerrett Perry, who eventually became a short term superintendent, announced at the time that Michael Crabtree was hired as the new head baseball coach at Alamogordo High School.

Crabtree a native of Canyon, Texas, prior to APS served as the head baseball coach at Kermit High School in Kermit, Texas, for the past two years. In addition to Kermit, Crabtree spent time at Hill College in Hillsboro, Texas, Dumas High in Dumas and Seminole State College in Oklahoma.

He also served as a scout for the Cleveland Indians in the west Texas region.

Crabtree had a decorated collegiate career at Houston Baptist University. He lettered two years at HBU as a first baseman from 2006 to 2007. He led HBU to a NAIA World Series in 2007. Crabtree hit a career .398. In his first year at HBU he hit .437.

Crabtree received All-Red River Athletic Conference, All-America, All-Region and Academic All-Conference honors in 2006. In 2007 he earned the NAIA Gold Glove and the NAIA Champion of Character award. He also received the RRAC Gold Glove award and he was named HBU's Most Valuable Player in 2007.

In 2014 Crabtree was inducted into the Houston Baptist University Hall of Fame.

His wife Casandra teaches at Chaparral Middle School.