The Coalition Connection

Stan’s Straight Talk

September 2026

Colleagues:

As September comes to an end, I want to take a moment to reflect on school safety, superintendent/Board relations, and our continuing mission to provide strong leadership in our public schools throughout New Mexico.

School Safety and the Hobbs Municipal Schools Family

I am preparing this message as I reflect on the very recent shooting of a middle school teacher in Hobbs Municipal Schools. First and foremost, let us keep the Hobbs Municipal Schools family in our thoughts and prayers as they deal with the trauma and recovery necessary following the events of Friday, September 25, when a middle school student seriously wounded a middle school teacher.

We continue to keep the teacher and his family in our thoughts and prayers.

Superintendent Gene Strickland and his staff have responded professionally and diligently to this tragic event and are working to address the concerns of the community that naturally arise when a shooting occurs on one of our school campuses.

Drills, Training, and Preparedness

We all conduct drills and provide training for our students and staff each year to prepare for the unlikely event of a school shooting. I urge each of you not to become complacent as you engage with your students and staff. Continue to assure that everyone understands what to do and is prepared to respond.

The Hobbs staff performed well under extraordinarily difficult circumstances. Let us continue to learn, prepare, and always be ready for the unexpected.

Superintendent/Board Relations

I have had meaningful conversations with Secretary Padilla regarding superintendent/Board relations. We have agreed to work with the New Mexico School Boards Association as a triad of support to promote collaboration, strengthen relationships, and help retain strong superintendent and principal leadership in our schools.

There will be more to come on this effort as we are currently in the formative stages.

Our Continuing Mission

Our continuing mission is to provide consistent, quality leadership in our schools and districts while developing an environment of sustained, high-yield educational opportunities for every student and community.

As we move through the fall and toward the legislative session beginning in January, NMCEL/NMSSA is redoubling its efforts to provide a strong foundation of support for all administrators serving in our public schools across New Mexico.

United, we stand.

Best Regards,

Stan
Executive Director
NMCEL / NMSSA

Together, we can make a difference.

LFC and LESC are conducting a short survey about state grants. We are seeking input from district and charter leaders and business officials to better understand what it's like to manage state grant funding, how the reimbursement process works, and how you track grant program outcomes.

The survey takes approximately 8 minutes to complete. Responses will be reported only in aggregate and will inform staff recommendations to the Legislature.

[Survey link]

We ask that you complete the survey by October 2.

A little about your background and journey in education. I was born in Washington DC and raised by parents who were both educators in the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) in Maryland. I started my career in MCPS as an educational assistant and over 32 years, served as a teacher, elementary, middle, and high school principal, principal trainer, and principal supervisor. I retired in January 2026 and moved to New Mexico to begin as superintendent of Rio Rancho Public Schools.

What excites you most about your new role. I'm both excited and challenged by following a truly legendary superintendent, Dr. V. Sue Cleveland, who led RRPS for 32 years. I'm equally excited to build on the incredible foundation of opportunity and excellence that exists in RRPS and to work with the thousands of dedicated staff who serve our students daily.

Something personal about you. I love the outdoors and I'm a very committed but very average fly fisherman. I'm enjoying exploring the streams and rivers of New Mexico.

TUCUMCARI PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Meet Superintendent Deanne McKinney

Deanne McKinney, Superintendent,
Tucumcari Public Schools

Your Background in Education

My career began in 1995, teaching kindergarten at a private school. I went on to teach kindergarten and second grade in Portales. Those early years showed me how much a strong start matters for kids, and that is why I became a reading interventionist, working with students who needed extra help learning to read.

From there I moved into school leadership in Portales, first as assistant principal and then as principal. When I came to Tucumcari, I served as Special Education Director and then as Assistant Superintendent in the central office. Now I have the privilege of serving as Superintendent.

I have kept learning the whole way. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Education, a Master of Arts in Education, and my administrative certification, all while working full time and raising a family. Because I have worked in the classroom, in reading intervention, and in the principal’s office, I understand what our teachers and staff face every day.

Along the way, I have learned three lessons that guide my leadership:

· Be patient. Real change takes time.

· Be flexible. Plans always change.

· Don’t react too quickly. When I take a moment before I respond, I almost always make a better decision.

What Excites You Most

What excites me most is the chance to make a lasting difference for Tucumcari. I want our students and staff to be proud of where they go every day. I want kids to want to come to school, and I want every adult in our buildings to put kids first.

I also enjoy building clear systems so everyone knows what is expected and can do their job well. It energizes me to lay out a plan, bring the right people together, and watch it work. Most of all, I want people to know that when they come to me, whether they are a parent, teacher, student, or community member, I will listen and treat them fairly.

Something Personal

My husband, Aldron, and I have been married for 40 years. I love being outdoors, and I enjoy hunting, fishing, and shopping. At the end of the day, I am just a normal, everyday person. My children and grandchildren bring me the most joy. Time with them keeps me grounded and reminds me why our work for kids matters so much.

NMCEL Is Hiring!

Join Us in Supporting New Mexico’s Educational Leaders

NMCEL is seeking a dynamic, highly organized, and mission-driven professional to serve as our next Director of Operations. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in supporting NMCEL’s daily operations, programs, finances, and services while helping advance our mission to strengthen educational leadership across New Mexico.

If you or someone you know is passionate about education, leadership, and making a difference for New Mexico’s schools and communities, we invite you to explore this opportunity!

📅 Application Deadline: October 14, 2026, at approximately 5:00 p.m.
📅 Anticipated Start Date: November 1, 2026

For the full job description and application information, please contact Stan Rounds at stan@nmcel.org.

Come be part of the work that supports leaders, strengthens schools, and builds New Mexico!

NMASBO is the recognized leader in school business management and the trusted expert providing quality professional development and information resource for school business in New Mexico.

2026

Boot Camp
October 27-30, 2026
Sheraton Uptown ABQ
Albuquerque, NM

2027

Winter Conference
February 17-19 2027
Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North
Albuquerque, NM

Spring Budget Workshop
April 7-8, 2027
Sandia Resort & Casino
Albuquerque, NM

Fall Conference
September 20-22, 2027
Isleta Resort & Casino
Albuquerque, NM

Boot Camp
October 12-15, 2027
TBD
Albuquerque, NM

The following strategic models highlight proven concepts of success from across New Mexico and the United States:

1. The State-Level Successes (New Mexico Models)

• Linking Early Literacy to Workforce Pathways: In Albuquerque Public Schools, leadership is transforming the district by tying structured early literacy directly to future career readiness. The district emphasizes that children must learn to read comprehensively by the third grade to successfully access specialized high school career academies, industry certifications, and dual-credit systems. [1]
• Replicating School Accountability & Spotlight Status: In Rio Rancho Public Schools, a targeted focus on localized data led to massive baseline shifts. By 2026, 10 out of 11 elementary schools significantly improved reading performance, driving toward a district-wide goal of earning "Spotlight Status" via the NM Vistas School Accountability Portal. [1, 2]

The National Successes (U.S. K-12 Trends)

• Systematized "Asset Mapping": Top national superintendents are building public-private task forces to systematically evaluate their communities. Instead of guessing how to support families, districts map out exactly what local employers, higher education institutions, and civic organizations can offer. This has successfully allowed students nationwide to earn associate degrees and technical certificates concurrent with high school graduation.
• Predictive Analytics for Intervention: Rather than waiting for end-of-year standardized state tests, districts are increasingly deploying predictive analytics dashboards. School leaders use these tools to flag early warning signs for chronic absenteeism or falling math benchmarks, allowing educators to intervene weeks before a student falls behind.
• Teacher Autonomy as a Retention Tool: National data compiled by the Center on Reinventing Public Education (CRPE) and AASA emphasizes that addressing teacher burnout requires moving beyond basic financial bonuses. Successful districts combat high turnover by embedding collaborative planning time into daily schedules and protecting teacher autonomy in how they deliver their curricula.

• To build on New Mexico’s recent literacy momentum, education leaders are adapting the structured playbook that drove reading gains and applying it directly to mathematics. State leadership recently passed Senate Bill 29, a comprehensive math policy laying the groundwork for systematic statewide improvement. This shift addresses a critical gap: while New Mexico reading proficiency climbed to 44%, math proficiency rose only to 26%. [1, 2, 3, 4]

  Superintendents can leverage this momentum by deploying tactical, evidence-based math interventions built around current state frameworks:

  
  

  1. Maximize the Early Screener Playbook (K-3 Focus)

  
  

  
  

  • Pre-empt Middle School Algebra Failures: Senate Bill 29 mandates universal K-3 math screening tools. Districts must use these tools to proactively identify students lagging in numeracy within the first 30 days of school, establishing Individual Mathematics Improvement Plans. [1, 2]
  • Standardize Parent Communications: Use the state-mandated 15-day parent notification window as an avenue for community trust. Provide families with bilingual, culturally appropriate "at-home math activity bags" rather than just warning letters. [1]

  
  

  2. Transition to Inquiry-Based High-Quality Curricula (HQIM)

  • Scale Conceptual Models Statewide: Districts like Santa Fe Public Schools are shifting away from rigid, procedural worksheets and adopting state-approved inquiry-based curricula like Illustrative Mathematics (IM). This program centers math on real-world problem-solving and peer discussion rather than raw memorization. [1, 2]
  • Leverage Re-envisioned High School Math Pathways: Implement the state's recently authorized High School Mathematics Pathways. Leaders should steer students toward diversified math sequences that align with their distinct interests—such as data science or financial algebra—ensuring math feels relevant to their career goals. [1]

  
  

  3. Upskill and Empower the Teaching Force

  • Integrate New Licensure Coursework: Anticipate upcoming mandates by establishing immediate partnerships with higher education programs. Help pre-service and alternative-licensure teachers complete the upcoming 2027 requirement of an extra three hours of specialized mathematics coursework.
  • Deploy "Focus on Algebra" Teams: Middle and high school leaders can register collaborative instructional teams—consisting of teachers, coaches, and principals—into the state's Focus on Algebra Professional Learning Series to align regional classroom standards. [1, 2, 3]