News from the Superintendent: October 6, 2008

October 5, 2008

Dear APS Community Member,

Balloon Fiesta was everything I expected it to be. My family and I had a terrific time this weekend. The spectacle of hundreds of balloons lifting off is a truly awesome sight. My daughter and I took our first balloon ride and the view was just breathtaking. We are continually blown away by everything Albuquerque has to offer, and we’re constantly reminded that we made the right choice in moving here.

We are spending the month of October talking with the public about the eight goals. We had a nice turnout for the first meeting in our conversation series about the eight goals. About 72 people showed up Thursday at Manzano High School and shared some great ideas. The next meeting is at 6 p.m. tonight at La Mesa Elementary. You can find the schedule for the rest of the meetings at locations near you on the APS website at www.aps.edu.

The seventh goal that I wanted to share with you today is to study, modify as necessary and recommend a plan to transition APS from a site-based management structure to a district-based structure with an equitable distribution of resources that includes, but is not limited to, budgeting, staffing and capital. I know in the past that some communities have felt slighted when it comes to allocating resources around the district. I want to see to it that schools with the greatest needs don’t have to scream so loudly anymore to be heard. We need a system that will take care of everyone equitably, but still puts resources in the hands of those who need them the most. I’m proposing that we gather feedback from all areas, but that final decisions are made by the central administration after a careful look at the pool of resources available.

This might be seen as an attempt to take decision-making away from schools and increase the authority of district administration. What I’m really looking to do is to organize the limited resources available and make sure that they are used efficiently, without duplicating our efforts or re-inventing the wheel anywhere. I’ve said before about curriculum, for example, I do want schools around the district to be consistent in what they teach without short-circuit teachers’ creativity. Remember, we have a lot more freedom in how we teach than in what we teach.

Fall Break is this Friday. I hope you are able to get out and enjoy the fall weather during your long weekend.

Have a great short week.

Sincerely,

Winston Brooks, Superintendent
Albuquerque Public Schools