Las Cruces Public Schools plans historic budget adoption with record community participation

The Las Cruces Public Schools Board of Education convened on May 20, 2025, to discuss and seek approval for the proposed operating budget for the fiscal year 2025-2026. The meeting highlighted significant advancements in the budget process, emphasizing transparency and community engagement.

Finance Director Alex Liu presented the budget, noting a year-round, bottom-up approach that has been revamped to enhance public participation. This year, the district implemented a new budget survey process, which received over 2,000 responses, with 77% coming from students. Liu expressed pride in achieving a historic level of public engagement, particularly from students, who provided valuable input on budget priorities.

The budget survey was designed to be shorter and more accessible, allowing for both quantitative and qualitative feedback. The district also utilized AI technology to analyze survey data, ensuring an unbiased review of community input. Liu mentioned that the feedback received would directly influence funding decisions, particularly in areas highlighted by students, such as athletic activities and fine arts programs.

Budget Director Matthew Saenz further detailed the budget process, which included multiple town hall meetings and community presentations. He confirmed that the proposed budget remained unchanged since its last presentation, indicating a stable financial outlook. The next steps involve submitting the budget to the Public Education Department for review.

Key priorities identified by the community for the upcoming year include campus safety and health and wellness, reflecting a strong focus on student needs. The board's commitment to transparency and collaboration aims to foster trust and accountability within the community as they move forward with the budget adoption process.