Community Checks in on Schedules, Budget

Thousands of APS staff members, students, parents and community members voted, and the result wasn’t close: starting the school year earlier in August remains a preference for most.

Albuquerque Public Schools released the results of an online survey of potential calendars for both the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years. Both showed an early August start and late May finish were preferred to later start and end dates.

For both years, 78 percent of respondents picked the earlier start time.

Nearly 13,000 people participated in the survey. About 6,800 listed themselves as APS parents or guardians. About 3,600 identified themselves as district staff members.

"We are pleased with the amount of community feedback we received on the recent survey.,” said Dr. Antonio Gonzales, deputy superintendent for leadership and learning. “This feedback will enable us to make a solid recommendation to the Board of Education for consideration and provide long-term planning for families and educators."

In conjunction with the Board of Education’s Listening Sessions on Oct. 24 and Oct. 28, the district also asked about budget preferences. 

The district’s Strategic Analysis and Program Research team, also known as SAPR, released results of the survey.

To get a detailed look at the survey, go to: 2024 Survey Results.

Here’s a summary of participants’ priorities as they apply to the budget:

Top priorities

Staffing and Class Size

There's a strong need for more teachers, educational assistants, and interventionists to lower student-to-teacher ratios and provide personalized support.

Curriculum and Professional Development

A focus on engaging and well-aligned curriculum and substantial professional development for teachers is necessary.

Student Support and Well-being

Student wellness, including mental health, nutrition, and access to counseling services, should receive increased attention.

Equitable Resources

The need for equitable access to electives, enrichment activities, and support for students with disabilities is highlighted, along with a push for funding to support at-risk students and community schools.

Facilities and Safety

Upgrading facilities, ensuring safety and security in schools, and improving heating and cooling systems are essential.

Communication and Community Engagement

Engaging parents and improving communication about school initiatives and resources is important for building a supportive community.

Extracurricular Activities

Funding for extracurricular activities and community school support is necessary to enhance student engagement and well-rounded education.

Lowest Priorities

• Administration
• Technology
• New instructional materials
• Single-sided color copies
• Building new facilities
• Allocating via enrollment

Concerns about the APS budget

• Equitable distribution of funds across schools
• Excessive spending on professional development and unnecessary curriculum
• Better facilities
• Need for more teachers
• limited elective offerings
• Need for more community engagement
• Providing Black History education
• Declining enrollment and closing schools