On Nov. 4, Albuquerque voters will determine the fate of a general obligation (GO) bond that will finance an array of necessary construction projects in Albuquerque Public Schools.
Dr. Gabriella Durán Blakey, Albuquerque Public Schools superintendent, and Dr. Antonio Gonzales, APS deputy superintendent, briefed the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors on the $350 million bond at its Sept. 25 meeting.
Gonzales said an APS General Obligation Bond question will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot and, if approved, the GO Bond would generate $350 million for a host of projects.
Those include converting 20 schools from evaporative coolers to refrigerated air and construction projects at 13 schools. The funding would also pay for a new career technical educational student training facility, a Taylor Middle School classroom block and a West Side student special needs education facility.
Approval of the bond would not increase the current tax rate.
Gonzales said over the past five years, APS has invested more into security measures, including cameras, alarms and secure vestibules.
He said the approach is layered and will be ongoing as it is run by a centralized police command center, which monitors more than 8,500 cameras in partnership with APD and the FBI. Money from the bond will be used to continue the addition of the safety upgrades as we “engage in a layer of approach to safety. A career and technical education facility to support the work of the academies of Albuquerque will be in this question as well.”
He said APS has successfully delivered projects for bonds in the past, and despite inflation, the district has made the most of its funding. He urged the board to support the upcoming bond as the district needs to finish work voters have already approved and ensure all student facilities match the quality of education and mission.
The Chamber’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to support the bond and urges voters do the same, as the bonds will not only provide for high-quality construction jobs as the projects progress but also ensure the district’s plans for student success and safety remain on track.