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PC4 Probationary Status of Schools and/or Specific Programs

Definitions

For purposes of this procedural directive, an “activity sponsor” includes the coach or teacher who is the district employee responsible for the district-sponsored activity (including student clubs and organizations), extracurricular or co-curricular activity.

For purposes of this procedural directive, “co-curricular activity” means an activity that is sanctioned by the New Mexico Activities Association, which often requires an elective course in which a student receives a grade, but that course is not required for graduation by state statute or regulation nor is it included in the New Mexico Standards for Excellence (examples include band, orchestra, student senate and DECA).

For purposes of this procedural directive, “extracurricular activity” means an activity for which a student does not receive a grade but which is sanctioned by the New Mexico Activities Association and, therefore, the student is subject to rules imposed by the New Mexico Activities Association during participation (examples include track and field, football, speech and debate and cheerleading)

General Provisions

The superintendent may place schools and programs on probation if he/she believes probationary status will motivate needed improvements at the school or program.  In compliance with federal and state law and regulation, schools shall be monitored for academics by the New Mexico Public Education Department and shall be responsible for meeting requirements established to improve academic performances.  The superintendent may place schools and/or programs on probation, as outlined in this procedural directive, for undesirable behavior while taking part in extra-curricular and co-curricular activities and student clubs or organizations. 

Repeated and persistent behavior that warrants probationary status may include, but is not limited to:

  • Inappropriate behavior by the activity sponsor
  • Drug and alcohol abuse by participants
  • New Mexico Activities Association rule violations
  • Albuquerque Public School policy and procedural directive violations
  • Violations of the standards of conduct outlined in Board of Education policy, administrative procedural directive and the Employee Handbook
  • Abuse of facilities usage privileges
  • Insubordination
  • Title IX violations

This procedural directive outlines the requirements of schools and programs placed on probation as a result of the behavior outlined above or for any other offense warranting probationary status.  

Warning Prior to Probationary Status

The appropriate associate superintendent and/or the district director of Athletics shall notify the superintendent of repeated and persistent behavior that they believe may warrant probationary status.  If the superintendent deems the behavior to be worthy of probationary status, he/she or the appropriate associate superintendent shall submit a formal letter of warning to the principal of the school being considered for probationary status.  The formal letter of warning shall include a date and time when the principal, other school staff the principal deems appropriate, the appropriate superintendent, the district director of Athletics and the superintendent will meet to discuss the behavior taking place at the school.

Schools that receive a formal letter of warning may have an opportunity, within a timeline established by the superintendent, to show improvements to avoid being placed on probation. 

Being Placed on Probation

If the school does not show expected improvement in behavior after its formal warning, the superintendent may formally place the school on probation.  The superintendent or the appropriate associate superintendent shall submit a formal letter indicating the school’s probationary status to the principal. 

The superintendent shall immediately notify the Board of Education if the decision has been made to place a school or program on probation.

Improvement Plans once on Probation

Schools and programs placed on probation shall be required to develop and implement an improvement plan to make necessary changes that are in the best interest of students and the district.  This improvement plan shall be submitted in writing to the superintendent and appropriate associate superintendent. 

The superintendent or appropriate associate superintendent shall discuss the specifics of the improvement plan with the principal.  The improvement plan shall contain specific benchmarks that the school must meet to rectify its individual situation and the circumstances under which it was placed on probation. 

The superintendent and appropriate associate superintendent shall check the progress of these benchmarks with the principal at least three (3) times annually.

The superintendent shall closely monitor schools and programs on probation and make regular reports to the Board of Education regarding the school and/or program’s status.

Release from Probation

The superintendent may, in his/her discretion, release a school or program from probation when the school or program has made significant progress in their improvement plan.  There shall be no minimum or maximum amount of time that a school or program be on probation.  Release shall be done on a case-by-case basis with an effort for consistency across schools.  Schools or programs on probation may only be released by the superintendent.

Administrative Position: 

  • Superintendent         

Department Director: 

  • Chief of Schools
  • Chief Operations Officer
  • Associate Superintendents for Leadership and Learning
  • District Athletic Director

Cross References:

Legal Cross Ref.:

Board Policy Cross Ref.:       

Procedural Directive Cross Ref.:       

 NSBA/NEPN Classification:       CBC, JJ

Introduced: June 10, 2011
Adopted: June 30, 2011
Reviewed:  October 3, 2022
Revised:  October 14, 2022

This page was last updated on: August 11, 2011.