The future of Dixon Elementary School remains uncertain as the Española Public Schools considers its potential closure, prompting a community response to preserve the rural institution.
Nearly 100 Dixon community members gathered on Aug. 14 at the Embudo Valley Library Community Center to voice their opposition and strategize ways to keep the school open, highlighting its role as a vital educational and cultural hub.
“At last Thursday’s meeting, one thing came through loud and clear: our community wants Dixon Elementary to stay open,” Dixon resident Megan Johnson said. “Families and neighbors all spoke about how much the school means to us — not just a place of learning, but as the heart of our community. Closing it would have a ripple effect on our community programs, activities and infrastructure that exist because of our community members’ access to a public school right here in Dixon.”
The district’s decision not to hire a dedicated kindergarten teacher, following the retirement of the previous educator, has sparked significant concern in the community. Currently, grades K-2 are being combined — a move many parents fear will compromise educational quality and further impact enrollment.
“Families with young children approaching Kindergarten will be less likely to send their kids to Dixon if we continue to have a combined K-2,” Johnson said. “Kindergarten is a foundational year of learning for these young students. The district is doing our community a disservice by not providing adequate staff.”
Dixon Elementary, recognized as a “spotlight school” in the latest NMVistas.org report card, ranks among the district’s highest-performing schools. Community members argue that its academic success, coupled with robust local after-school programs, tutoring and clubs that the district does not pay for, makes it indispensable.
“Dixon Elementary has been and should continue to be the heart of our close-knit rural community,” Jeannie Cornelius, a retired teacher from the school, said. “The community partnerships and support from families and small businesses and organizations is one of the reasons that our students are so successful.”
The potential for school closures was first mentioned publicly at the May 5 EPS board meeting in a presentation given by Colleen Martinez, president of Visions in Planning, Inc. She cited declining enrollment, aging infrastructure and financial pressures as reasons for considering closures of Dixon, Hernandez and Velarde elementary schools.
In a statement to the Rio Grande SUN, EPS Board President Javin Coriz addressed the community concerns regarding Dixon’s future.
“We want to assure you that the board has no plans or agenda items in the near future to close any of the schools mentioned in that study without proper community notification and input,” he wrote.
Coriz emphasized the district’s commitment to collaboration and encouraged residents to attend two upcoming meetings on Sept. 15 and Nov. 10 at Carlos Vigil Middle School to share ideas for keeping the schools open.
“We value your voice and participation in this process and look forward to working together to find solutions that serve our students and preserve our schools,” Coriz wrote.
With the EPS board meetings approaching, and a decision on the closure pending, the community in Dixon has united to ensure that whatever the future brings, their voices will have been heard and their children will have been advocated for.
“Our hope is that the district will recognize that this is bigger than just numbers on a spreadsheet,” Johnson said. “This is about kids, families and the future of a community that has rallied around its school for generations.”
For more information on upcoming EPS board meetings, contact Kourtnie.Polanco@k12espanola.org or visit: https://www.k12espanola.org/page/board-meetings