APS approves contract for former state charter

Architecture Construction and Engineering school will operate under district

The Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education has approved a contract for a former state charter school with a history of failing grades, bringing it under the district’s authorization.

Architecture Construction and Engineering Leadership High School was given the green light for its charter contract and performance framework Wednesday night.

ACE Leadership received consecutive F grades in the past three years, according to the New Mexico Public Education Department.

Before the school asked to be reauthorized under APS, the state agency had decided it “would likely be recommending non-renewal” for a few schools, including ACE — essentially advising they be shut down — according to PED documents.

David Peercy, president of the APS school board, could not be reached for comment.

In December, the board approved the charter school renewal application for ACE Leadership, but the school had to meet the APS review team’s conditions before a contract could move forward.

Joseph Escobedo, director of charter schools at APS, said ACE’s conditions included showing:

How state standards are being fully implemented using projectbased learning.

It has a plan for the use of adaptive interim assessments.

It has a plan to increase participation in common state assessments.

Escobedo said ACE met the requirements “with flying colors.”

Tori Shauger, ACE Leadership High School executive director and principal, said the PED’s decision didn’t play a role in her request to move under APS, saying she learned of PED’s comments after her decision had been made.

“We did not have any renewal conversations with the PED for our 2018 renewal,” she wrote in an email to the Journal. “The ACE governing board discussed the renewal for several months prior to choosing which authorizor to seek renewal with in board meetings. These discussions centered around what kind of authorizor

and authorizor relationship ACE needed to have the support to do the best work possible.”

Shauger said ACE wanted renewal with APS because it felt the district was equipped to be collaborative and supportive and to hold the school accountable.

The school board unanimously voted to approve the school’s contract, a three-year agreement that begins in July.

“The relationship between ACE and APS has already been very positive as we negotiated our contract terms and performance framework to which we will be held accountable,” she wrote. “I see APS able to provide technical assistance as we need it and am grateful to have access to this kind of support.”

After three years, ACE will have to apply for renewal. If it doesn’t get approval, then it will close, according to Escobedo.

ACE Leadership was one of four state charter schools that requested to come under APS’ umbrella late last year.

Health Leadership High School, Technology Leadership High School and Academy of Trades & Technology also sought reauthorization from the district.

Academy of Trades & Technology was not approved and will close in July, Escobedo said.

But he said Health Leadership and Technology Leadership — which also received F grades in 2017 — will likely have their contracts brought to the board in May.

“They have met their conditions as well,” Escobedo said, noting that the conditions were similar to ACE’s.

Funding for these charter schools will follow the institutions and will be included in APS’ budget.

At Wednesday’s board meeting, five-year contracts for Montessori of the Rio Grande and Corrales International School also were approved.