Outgoing Board Members Reflect on 'Sacred and Humbling Journey'

Gonzales, Tapia-Romero and Dominguez bid farewell, citing a new strategic plan and a focus on student well-being as key accomplishments during their four-year terms.

Three outgoing Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education members shared poignant reflections on what it’s been like to help lead the state’s largest school district for the last four years as they bid farewell.

Wednesday night’s board meeting was the final one for Board President Danielle Gonzales and board members Crystal Tapia-Romero and Josefina Dominguez, whose terms expire on Dec. 31. Their successors, Rebecca Betzen, Joshua Martinez and Margaret “Warigia” Bowman, respectively, begin their terms on Jan. 1.

The newly constituted board will hold its first meeting on Jan. 7, at which the four board members elected in November – Betzen, Martinez, Bowman and current Board Member Courtney Jackson – will be sworn in. Board members are also slated to elect officers at that same meeting.

At the end of the Wednesday meeting, outgoing board members took a few minutes to reflect on their journeys and on the progress the district has made in the last four years.

Dominguez

Board member Dominguez recalled how overwhelming her first two years on the board were, saying it felt like she was drinking out of a fire hydrant, “and then finally finding her bearings.”

“Serving on this board has been the most consequential decision of my life…,” she said. “It has been a sacred and humbling journey, one that required me to bring together my personal, professional and public servant identities–the latter took some time. I’ve walked this path with many of you, and I am grateful for all your help and for even the challenges in this endeavor.”

Dominguez said she worked to do right by all students, families, educators and staff, noting that their efforts are the “foundation of everything we do as a board.” She said she was deeply honored that several of her former students who have grown into leaders in their own communities took the time to attend the reception for her and her fellow outgoing board members.

“There is no greater honor than to know that students I served have gone on to serve others and that they return to honor my work,” Dominguez said.

Gonzales

Board President Gonzales said she was most proud of the strategic plan and the goals and guardrails the board adopted in 2023, which include improving literacy and math proficiency rates, better preparing students for college or their chosen career, and helping them develop the life skills necessary for success. 

“When I joined the board … we didn’t have goals, we didn’t have a portrait of a graduate, we didn’t have a strategic plan,” she said. “We had sort of a loose commitment to teaching students and to doing better. So the fact that we were able to establish that strategic plan, to establish those pillars, to establish the goals … I think, is a great testament to the leadership of this board, as well as to our community and to the administration as well, so thank you to the administration for your work on all of that.”

Gonzales said she’s also proud of the additional resources channeled to student mental health services and the district's policy update on discipline, which includes more resources and prioritizes restorative justice. She said she is also proud that she was able to help lay the groundwork for the new APS International High School that serves newcomer and refugee students.

Another significant accomplishment for the district was spending every dollar of the federal pandemic relief funds it received. She praised the administration for ensuring that “we weren’t leaving a single dollar on the table and serving our kids.”

Tapia-Romero

Board member Tapia-Romero said she was also proud of the goals the board set.

“We are seeing some incredible progress,” she said. “I love what I see on social media now. I love just the momentum that is building and seeing APS make a significant impact in our community.”

She praised Superintendent Gabriella Blakey, saying she’s grateful “the district has a leader like her.”

Tapia-Romero, who chaired the board’s Finance Committee, also thanked Chief Financial Officer Rennette Apodaca and her staff, calling them an incredible team and noting their ability to adapt to change.

“I am proud of the work we have all done together, but more than that, I am proud that I can leave this seat knowing that I never lost sight of why I was here,” she said. “...Thank you for allowing me to serve you. Thank you for allowing me to serve the best district.”