Board of Education members sworn in
2 newcomers join board after contentious election
Two newcomers and two incumbents were sworn in as members of the Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education on Wednesday night.
Elizabeth Armijo and Candy Patterson, both first-time public servants, took their places alongside Lorenzo Garcia and Dave Peercy, who won third terms.
All four prevailed in a packed race that was vitriolic at times. In total, 19 candidates competed to represent Districts 3, 5, 6 and 7.
The Feb. 7 election drew strong interest for a school board election, with more than 18,000 ballots cast, a 6.6 percent turnout. By comparison, the 2015 board race generated only 3.7 percent turnout.
“I greatly appreciate all the people who have supported me in this campaign — it has not been a very pleasant campaign,” said Peercy, who faced three challengers for the District 7 seat.
Patterson and Armijo, who represent districts 5 and 6, respectively, said they are excited to join the board, which is charged with setting district policy and hiring the superintendent.
Wednesday’s meeting also included elections for board leadership positions.
Peercy was uncontested for a second term as board president. Analee Maestas, also uncontested, took over the board secretary position vacated by Steven Michael Quezada, who did not seek a second term.
Garcia defeated Peggy Muller-Aragón in a 5-2 vote to retain his seat as board vice president.
In her pitch for the position, Muller-Aragón pushed for greater collaboration with the New Mexico Public Education Department, which has generated controversy for policies such as school grades and teacher evaluations largely based on standardized test results.
Garcia has often been outspoken about his objections to PED’s mandates.