APS Board of Education Recognized as Best in State

Board members accept honor by the New Mexico School Boards Association

Superintendent Winston Brooks joins members of the APS Board of Education who are honored as the best in the state.

December 5, 2011

Recognized as the best in the state, the APS Board of Education has received the prestigious distinction as Board of Education of the Year in New Mexico by the New Mexico School Boards Association (NMSBA).

The NMSBA, whose governing board comprises board members statewide, awarded the APS Board of Education on Dec. 2 during the organization’s 2011 annual convention in Albuquerque. Judging criteria for the large-district category includes exemplary service provided to students, staff, parents and patrons of the school district; significant accomplishments that have had a positive impact on the school district; the board being active in local, regional, state and national school board activities; and board member involvement in training.

Among the strengths of the board highlighted for its selection of the award is the realization among board members that student achievement is impacted by the strength or weakness of a district’s governing body; the board’s partnership with the superintendent; the board’s diligence to continually seek community input; sound fiscal management through ongoing policy and audit developments; and focusing on improving student achievement by improving graduation rates and math scores.

The following board members also were recognized for the 2011 Leadership Development Awards: Lorenzo Garcia, Kathy Korte, Dr. Analee Maestas, Dr. David Peercy and David Robbins. The NMSBA Leadership Development Program is a multi-level training and recognition program designed to assist local school board members in addressing their increasingly complex demands and changing roles. Board members earn training credits by participating in NMSBA-approved curricula, including training categories approved by the New Mexico Public Education Department.