Editor:
As an individual interested in challenging Joe Romero for the Espanola Valley
School Board, it is imperative that I express my opinion regarding statements he made to the Rio Grande Sun concerning the upcoming school board election. Mr. Romero feels that anyone willing to compete against him is “wasting their time.” He cited statistics that favor him as having a 10 percent advantage because he is the incumbent plus an additional 5 percent for being board president.
Regardless of the outcome of this election any person who expresses an interest in providing a public service to the community and the children of this valley, should not be viewed as wasting his/her time. It is important individuals have an opportunity to express their vision to the voters. It is up to the parents and the voters of this community to decide on whether a change in the current structure of the school board is needed, but most importantly they must be given the opportunity to decide on who will put the interest of the students first.
The incumbent should not try to dictate the outcome of this election by discouraging potential candidates with ball park statistics. I am considering running for the school board because I can no longer sit idly, observing and not questioning numerous decisions made by the current schools administration.
For example, overtime payment to business office employees, sometimes in excess of 50 percent of their current contract salary was paid over the year. This money could have been spent on improving the condition of the schools and the specific needs of the students. After paying this overtime, the required state audit was still submitted late. The majority of the schools within the district do not meet Annual Yearly Progress and there is a declining enrollment and an exodus of children to neighboring districts. We must get these children back to our schools and we accomplish that by, making improvements to our facilities, recruiting young and energized teachers, working to retain the excellent teachers that we already have in this district, and by providing a challenging curriculum that will prepare students for the next level of their education.
Most importantly, I am considering running for the students of this Valley. They deserve much better than what they have received over the years. It does not matter, win or lose, I would never consider this opportunity as a waste of my time, but rather time well served.
José Archuleta
Española