News from the Superintendent: September 29, 2008

September 28, 2008

Dear APS Community Member,

I’m starting this week on the bus tour of Board of Education District 5 in the Northeast Heights, and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and welcome our new member of the Board, Jon Barela. Mr. Barela was selected by the Board on Friday from among five candidates to fill the remainder of Gordon Rowe’s term that expires in February. He currently serves on the boards of the APS Education Foundation, Hispano Chamber of Commerce and advising the UNM College of Education, so he is obviously passionate about education. I look forward to working with him.

I haven’t talked about the eight goals in a couple of weeks, but I wanted to mention the sixth one. It is that APS review, modify as necessary and maintain a transparent, sound and effective financial stewardship plan with clearly defined, consistent and well-documented processes throughout the district. With the responsibility of a district budget of $1.6 billion, it is imperative that we make appropriate use of our resources and maintain the taxpayers’ trust. The results of the state audit for 2006-07 will be released soon. It will show that, frankly, we have some things to work on, and many are already being addressed. I’m confident that chief financial officer Gina Hickman and her staff will do what is necessary to make sure that professional standards are met.

The first meeting in our conversation series about the eight goals is at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Manzano High School media center. You can find the schedule for meetings in other locations near you on the APS website at www.aps.edu.

The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta begins this weekend, and I’m really looking forward to my first one. I’ve heard it’s an amazing experience standing right up close during the mass ascension. Mayor Chavez and I are scheduled to take a ride one day. People have told me how incredible the breakfast burritos are and I can’t wait to try one.

Along with the Fiesta, the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum is hosting a Teacher Appreciation Day from 6-10 a.m. on Oct. 10. Wednesday is the deadline to register by calling 768-6035. It sounds like a fun event with a free breakfast and giveaways. I’m thrilled that a high-profile organization like this is taking the time to recognize teachers for all they do.

To follow up on the message I sent on Friday about the United Way campaign, let me say again how strongly I feel about the value and satisfaction that come from giving back to your community. I encourage you to take part in this year’s campaign. We talk all the time about how short of resources our schools are. By designating your gift to the APS Education Foundation, you can help support worthy programs like fine arts, healthy kids/safe schools, classroom mini-grants and reading and literacy programs. The amount of the gift doesn’t matter; every gift helps.

Have a great week.

Sincerely,

Winston Brooks, Superintendent
Albuquerque Public Schools