External Organizations
APS Education Foundation
The foundation is a 501(c) (3) that raises private support and public awareness of the district and its students through a variety of initiatives that supplement major programs: fine arts, middle/high school activities, literacy and classroom teacher mini-grants. President Yolanda Montoya-Cordova serves on the foundation’s board, and Vice President Muller- Aragόn will fill in when President Montoya-Cordova is unavailable.
Albuquerque Bernalillo County Community Schools Partnership
The partnership is a joint powers agreement with the APS Board of Education, the Albuquerque City Council, Mayor Tim Keller, the Bernalillo County Commission, United Way, Albuquerque Business Education Compact and other community sponsors to work collaboratively to support the development of community schools in the district. The mission is to create cooperative working relationships with the business community, social service agencies, government agencies, faith-based organizations, civic groups, neighborhood associations and post-secondary institutions that lead to increased family involvement and student academic achievement. Currently, the board members serving on the partnership are Peggy Muller-Aragόn and Barbara Petersen, as well as Superintendent Elder.
Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Government Commission
The City of Albuquerque and the County of Bernalillo invited Albuquerque Public Schools to participate on the commission as an advisory member in 2019. The commission recommends processes to identify areas that can be more effectively coordinated; reviews and recommends any new or revised agreements between the city, county and the district; provides policy guidance on areas governed by joint agreements, and reviews and recommends proposed legislation among the three entities that affects all jurisdictions. Board Member Gonzales and Board Member Montoya-Cordova serve as non-voting members on the commission. Depending on the topic area, other board members may be invited to attend for board members Gonzales and Montoya-Cordova.
Albuquerque Youth Symphony (AYS)
The Albuquerque Youth Symphony provides children with high quality music education. AYS was formed in 1955 as a collaborative project between the Albuquerque Public Schools and the University of New Mexico. Students from more than 40 public, private, parochial, and home schools within a 50-mile radius of Albuquerque participate. Board Member Courtney Jackson serves on the AYS board.
Economic Forum
The forum is a non-partisan business leaders group founded in 1982 dedicated to the continued improvement of the community. Its efforts involve educating and informing decision makers from the business, government and education sectors about significant issues and concerns facing the community. All APS board members have the opportunity to participate in this organization.
Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce's mission is to work every day to make the community a place where businesses can grow and prosper and where people want to raise their families. Part of the organization’s mission is for Albuquerque to have a world-class education system. President Montoya-Cordova will attend board meetings, as requested, with the superintendent who is an honorary board member. All board members are invited to attend events.
Mid Region Council of Governments (MRCOG)
The Mid-Region Council of Governments is a multi-county governmental agency that helps the region plan responsibly for future growth. Representing the counties of Bernalillo, Valencia, Torrance, and Sandoval, the council provides planning services in the areas of transportation, agriculture, workforce development, employment growth, land-use, water, and economic development.
Additionally, APS has been serving on the executive board. (The Los Lunas, Rio Rancho and Albuquerque Public School districts take turns serving on the executive board in two-year rotations, although APS has been serving in this role since 2013.) Board Member Petersen serves on the council, and Board Member Josefina Domínguez is the alternate.