Commentary: Alamogordo Public Schools Board Meeting — Time to Prioritize Competence, Accountability, and Local Expertise Over Questionable Personnel Decisions

Wednesday, June 17, 2026, the Alamogordo Public Schools (APS) Board of Education holds its regular public meeting. One item that demands scrutiny — and should be squarely on the agenda for open discussion — is the district’s decision not to renew contracts for several well-educated, highly qualified assistant principals, including those at Mountain View Middle School (MVMS) and elsewhere in the district.

Reports from staff and community members paint a troubling picture. In at least one case, an assistant principal with deep roots in the local education system — a Hispanic woman with decades of experience and a PhD — was shown the door. This pattern reportedly extends to multiple experienced Hispanic female administrators. These are professionals who know Otero County’s students, families, and challenges intimately.

Contrast that with accounts of a principal (a Texas transplant) who allegedly struggled significantly. Staff reportedly witnessed her covering office windows with paper out of fear of students, becoming emotionally overwhelmed to the point of crying in the fetal position on the floor on multiple occasions, and relying almost entirely on the assistant principal for disciplinary actions. Despite this, district leadership — including the superintendent — chose not to renew the contracts of the experienced, high-performing assistants who were effectively holding things together. No performance evaluation was reportedly conducted for one such assistant principal before the non-renewal.

This raises serious questions about priorities. Why oust dedicated, locally embedded leaders with advanced credentials and proven track records while shielding or failing to address underperformance from others? It echoes a familiar refrain in Alamogordo: decisions that appear driven by favoritism, outsider preferences, or avoidance of hard accountability rather than what’s best for students.

Broader Pattern in APS Leadership

This isn’t an isolated incident. Alamogordo Public Schools has faced ongoing challenges with leadership stability, staff morale, and student discipline. Complaints about bullying at MVMS have circulated for years, with parents and former staff alleging inconsistent or inadequate administrative responses. The district has cycled through superintendents and interim leaders, including short-term contracts that sparked debate over transparency and proper search processes. Past board actions on personnel have drawn criticism for lacking openness and favoring certain candidates.

Meanwhile, student outcomes and school climate issues persist. Parents continue to voice concerns about safety, bullying, and whether administrators are equipped to lead in a high-needs environment like ours — with its mix of military families from Holloman AFB, local residents, and socioeconomic challenges.

Parallels to City Commission Leadership

Sadly, this paints APS leadership in the same unflattering light as Alamogordo city commission dynamics — cronyism, opacity, and decisions that prioritize insiders or avoid rocking the boat over merit and community needs. Residents are tired of “good ole boy” (or girl) networks that protect mediocrity while sidelining qualified locals, especially women of color with institutional knowledge. A superintendent who “plays ignorant” on these disparities only fuels distrust.

Strong schools are the foundation of a thriving community. Effective discipline, experienced leadership, and cultural competence matter — particularly in retaining talented Hispanic educators who reflect and understand much of our student population.

Call to Action

At today’s meeting, board members and the superintendent owe the public straightforward answers. The public in comments will be there asking the questions…

• What specific performance metrics justified non-renewing these experienced assistant principals?

• Why the apparent lack of evaluations?

• What steps are being taken to address leadership failures at schools like MVMS?

• How will the district ensure future decisions prioritize qualifications, results, and equity over personal or regional biases?

Transparency via IPRA requests, public comment, and CivicWatch-style oversight is essential. Alamogordo cannot afford to lose dedicated educators who have invested their careers here. It’s past time for APS to clean up its act — focus on what works for kids, not protecting fragile egos or importing problems.

Parents, educators, and taxpayers: Attend, speak up, and demand better. Our children’s futures depend on it.

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