The job posting for Albuquerque Public Schools’ superintendent closes tonight at midnight. Tomorrow, the real work begins for the APS board as they begin to narrow the pool of candidates.
The new superintendent will take the reins of New Mexico’s largest school district next summer at a pivotal time for the district: with a new and explicit focus on student outcomes and a five-year strategic plan that cements this focus and sets important goals for APS students achievement, the next district leader will have the power to help start a new chapter of stronger student proficiency and college and career readiness.
Earlier today, Chamber leaders sent the letter below to the APS board outlining their recommendations for experience and qualities this new superintendent should possess to keep the district moving forward.
This is just the beginning of a process, and we’ll be sure to keep the business community apprised as it develops. You can share your thoughts on the superintendent search with the APS board at the link at the bottom of the page.
Dear APS Board Members,
As leaders yourselves, you know leadership matters. The decisions you make as the board governing Albuquerque Public Schools affect more than 80,000 students across the city. The superintendent of New Mexico’s largest school district will set the tone for over 150 principals and thousands of teachers – and superintendents across the state will take note of this leader’s actions too. As you search for APS’ next superintendent, here are the critical skills and attributes we believe you should look for.
First, we urge you to look for candidates who share the board’s focus on student outcomes. The current APS board has made great strides in putting students first, with the district’s first-ever strategic plan that puts student achievement front and center. The next APS leader’s philosophy should align with this focus; they should see the first priority of this role as improving student achievement district-wide.
Our next superintendent should also come with experience and a track record of success at other school districts. Look for a history of strong student outcomes, particularly improved outcomes compared to the time before they took the position. This leader should be prepared to use data-driven methods to find the truth of where our students are academically and what supports they need to bridge the gap to what they could achieve. This leader should also be willing to be transparent with this data to spark necessary conversations with principals, teachers and parents about how to support students.
Of course, our new superintendent must also possess excellent people skills. They need the ability to connect with the community to understand families’ needs, empower parents, support students, and collaborate with the board and the team they build around themselves. In their previous roles, did they spend most of their time at district headquarters – or were they out visiting schools, talking with principals, meeting with community members? The most effective leadership requires strong relationships.
Last, but certainly not least, APS’ next superintendent should be someone who believes in kids’ innate ability to learn and succeed, a leader who refuses to dumb things down or use poverty as a crutch. Look for candidates who believe our students’ demographics do not decide their destiny. Our district’s highest-profile leader should be our students’ fiercest champion in the fight against the soft bigotry of low expectations.
You have an important decision ahead of you, one that could change the trajectory of our school district – and our community’s children’s lives. If the Chamber can be a resource in this or any other work the APS board takes on, we would be more than happy to be a community partner. We thank you for your commitment to our area’s students, and we wish you the best of luck in your search for our district’s new leader.
Sincerely,
Terri Cole
President and CEO
Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce
Bruce Stidworthy
Chair, GACC Board of Directors
President and CEO, Bohannan Huston, Inc.
Del Esparza
Chair-Elect, GACC Board of Directors
CEO, Esparza Advertising
Del Archuleta
Chair, Education Reform Bold Issue Group
Chairman of the Board, Molzen Corbin & Associates
