Report; APS Board Meeting

There was a regular meeting of the APS Board of Education yesterday afternoon. Hot topics, Junior ROTC programs in the APS, and role modeling of the student standards of conduct.

There are people who believe there is "recruiting" going on in APS high schools, and maybe even in middle schools. Recruiting per se, is not a recognized goal of JROTC programs. What constitutes "recruiting", and whether it goes on informally, is the point of contention. My research indicates that about 10% of program participants actually enlist in any of the armed forces.

If there is recruiting going on, they are apparently not very good at it.

Several board members are in favor of the existence of JROTC programs. My own experience with them is, I saw kids in middle school who were "at risk" and went on to high school and joined the JROTC. The transformation was truly remarkable. For a significant number of students, it is a life saver.

Board member Robert Lucero is a staunch supporter. He suggested that those who had spoken against the JROTC, like those who speak out during the public forum against anything he supports, are speaking "without knowing the facts". His arrogance is appalling.

A number of board members spoke about upcoming cuts in funding for education. Most insisted that no cuts be made, others can read the tea leaves and see no way out. Interestingly, when they start talking about the cuts that will take place, they talk always of the cuts in the classroom and never of cuts in administration. Ironically, they address the issue of cuts from their seats in a board room that was so expensive, they still won't admit how much it cost. My estimate would be on the order of one million dollars spent on a board room whose very existence has not been justified by anyone in the leadership of the APS.

I am certain, if you asked Winston Brooks if there is fat to be cut in the administration of the APS, he would say, no. If you asked, why should you believe that, he would say "trust me". If instead, you asked for an impartial audit of the leadership of the APS, and independent evaluation of the fat in the administration, if he answered at all (he won't), he would say, there will be no audit. If you ask why, he will not answer.

Board President Marty Esquivel spoke briefly about the controversy over who screwed up the calculations of drop out rates; NMPED says APS didn't turn in statistics on time/in time to update the calculations. APS claims to have submitted them on time, but NMPED failed to incorporate them.

Esquivel suggests "moving on". In good ol' boy speak, that means the problem lies with the APS and they don't want any names named.

For the record, there is no choice that must be made between "moving on" and, holding accountable those who have dropped the ball. Both can be done, but are not usually done in any organization so dedicated to covering up the inadequacies and mistakes made by their leadership.

The board meeting can be viewed by linking.