APS Congratulates New Mexico’s New Secretary of Education

Arsenio Romero set to take over as PED chief on March 6

Albuquerque Public Schools joins districts all over the state in welcoming Arsenio Romero as New Mexico’s newly appointed Secretary of Education.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the appointment Tuesday. He replaces Kurt Steinhaus, who stepped down as head of the state Public Education Department in January.

Secretary Designate Romero was born into a family of educators and instinctively understands the critical roles teachers, principals, administrators, support staff, families, and the community play in the academic success of our students.

Our post-pandemic education challenges are enormous and will require the kind of collaboration and leadership Secretary Designate Romero can provide to ensure students get what they need to succeed at every grade level. It is especially inspiring to know that the secretary-designate has dedicated his entire professional life to public education and has experience from Belen to Deming and from Roswell to his current position as Superintendent of Los Lunas Schools. Secretary Designate Romero brings expertise from decades in the classroom and board rooms.

This is a critical time for Albuquerque Public Schools as the district collaborates with the APS Board of Education to create a five-year academic plan with measurable goals in critical areas like reading and math. APS is excited to benefit from Secretary Romero’s guidance, commitment, consistency, stability, and passion for his new post.