What a year!

Friend:

Over the course of our 2021 campaign, we knocked on thousands of doors and met with many great Albuquerque residents. We heard over and over again a desire for change to make our schools and our community better.

This first year in office has been quite a year, and I am so proud of what we have achieved so far! We’re not done yet - donate today to help us continue to reach our community. 

• I led the charge to establish a Strategic plan for APS, helping to raise funds, develop a request for proposals, hire a vendor and establish a workplan to ensure APS has a strong plan in place by the end of the 2022-2023 school year.

• I spearheaded conversations to bring a strategic focus to the APS budget, with a call for greater transparency, community engagement, and  renewed attention on resources for the students furthest from opportunity.

• I was the driving force for updating our policies and student handbook to add language about safe gun storage to protect our families and our community.

• I ushered in changes to the APS policies on student dress and student discipline to prioritize equity, restorative approaches and positive school climate.

• I raised questions about the negotiated agreement and how we can ensure that all policies prioritize student learning above all else. 

• I was selected for, and began participation in a competitive two-year fellowship for elected school board members to support individual leadership and impact by building capacity, knowledge, skills and courage.

• I supported new funding for student mental health support in our schools, pay raises for school social workers, counselors and other instructional support providers; and a call on the New Mexico state legislature to prioritize behavioral health. 

• I worked with other board members to bring a new focus on “student outcomes focused governance” to our school board.

• I appointed two amazing District 3 community members to serve on the APS Redistricting committee and develop new map concepts to respond to the 2020 census; and voted in favor of a new map that adjusts the size of all districts, but also adds the community of Corrales to District 3. 

  • If you know Corrales residents, please encourage them to like us on Facebook for regular updates. 

• After much public demand, I’m proud to share that we have increased transparency and access by making all APS Board of Education Meetings are available online for anyone to view, any time. 

This year was not without its challenges. In fact, it was the most difficult year of my life. With the unexpected and sudden deaths of both my mom and my sister in the span of four months, I have been heartbroken, devastated and reeling from the loss of the two women who have made me who I am, and have been my biggest champions. I couldn’t have made it through the sadness of this year without the support of such a loving community - thank you!

Look ahead to 2023

We’ll continue the amazing work we’ve started - and January will be a busy month.

• On January 4th, the APS board will convene for the first time in the new year and elect new officers and committee chairs. 

• On January 5th, the board will meet to review and discuss policy updates related to instruction and special education. 

• On January 11th, the board will review and discuss the first draft of the new APS Goals and Guardrails, intended to set the path for the next five years.

• On January 18th, the board will vote to adopt the new goals and guardrails, providing direction to the superintendent, strategic planning team, and district leadership on the vision and values for our district and community. 

• On January 17th, the New Mexico State Legislature will convene for a full 60-day session and consider many important changes, including potential increases in education funding, an increase in instructional hours statewide, and universal free school meals, among other possible changes. . 

Let’s keep the momentum going!

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We post regularly on the above platforms, follow-us and invite your friends!

Make a contribution today

Will you contribute to help us reach more community members in 2023? 

With the Village of Corrales moving in to District 3 as part of redistricting, we now have nearly 9,000 new residents to reach! Unfortunately, it costs money to reach so many new community members, so we need your support to engage new constituents and to continue working for our students and families in a positive, constructive way. 

Thank you for being a part of this important and challenging endeavor. Let’s keep the momentum and progress going!

Danielle