[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6486317,"mediaKeyId","5605826-fd63bd6824fc77b00a7dfaf8ecc582ca","parentId",5605826,"title","LCPS reports near-full staffing: 99% teacher fill rate, 25 current vacancies","audioSeconds",1091,"startMs",9507000,"endMs",10598000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5605826-fd63bd6824fc77b00a7dfaf8ecc582ca&start=9507&end=10598","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5605826-fd63bd6824fc77b00a7dfaf8ecc582ca/thumbnail_9507000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6486317/New-Mexico/LCPS-reports-near-full-staffing-99-teacher-fill-rate-25-current-vacancies","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486317-7d569e20271295e86f0d7c5ac4ae7e93/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568757&Signature=mTTW8QH-NsSLBlbh4lYsVEt4ryozkv4~sakvKmhy7SVN~aqoGOlejj4wmaRPHCeex8mbNLKSCWQByL5uADqcQ6-GdunQ7K4-BLQuGBMQt-gBytKDvRKYg-g0dVlTOpPzqXPChLs6FZ~TScJSgils2AxYN72BV2127MqIJESGUM~OsdPoCZJTHW6QaCZPw54VePFSn2xo6SLbt6fciiyb6XPG08bASX2CL3wI-~Kz2nHWvqp8P6899sMdipAfMaU~DyCwPozJlC526bq8oTQ4fIxxMegADbou2fq2KuaIOfnh0iTTt~qjokB-f41j8SsLfwIwNrMLlApL9E12UrMrww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Las Cruces Public Schools","date","2025-08-19T17:36:00Z","article","Las Cruces Public Schools’ Human Resources department reported on Aug. 19 that the district started the 2025–26 school year with high staffing levels, including a 99% teacher fill rate and about 25 open vacancies districtwide.

HR director presented onboarding and retention efforts, highlighting a revamped new-employee onboarding breakfast (July 16), expanded collaboration with payroll, risk management and communications, and targeted recruitment and branding. The HR presentation also listed strategic initiatives including an HR talent and retention facilitator position (filled by Dr. Jamie Baker), apprenticeship pathways for trades, and university partnerships to strengthen the candidate pipeline.

District leaders said class loads were reviewed and balanced within the first 10 days of school using natural turnover and internal reassignment to avoid layoffs. HR said no staff were required to begin the year in temporary roles: \"everyone through attrition was able to start off the year in a permanent position,\" the presentation noted.

HR provided additional figures: a 96% overall new-employee fill rate, 99% staffing rate for security and nurses, and an 89% fill rate for food services — an area that has improved from prior years. The district listed 25 vacancies (mostly at the elementary level) and said many are being actively recruited and hired.

Board members asked about class sizes and pupil–teacher ratios and HR said the district reviewed balances and made intra-campus and cross-campus shifts to remain in compliance; the district will further analyze counts at the 40-day enrollment marker. HR said the district will continue targeted retention and development work including national board support and substitute-to-hire pipelines.

Ending: HR said it will report 40-day enrollment and staffing balances to the board and continue recruitment and retention work to reduce vacancies.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Las Cruces Public Schools - Board of Education","oneSentenceSummary","Human Resources reported a 99% teacher fill rate and a 96% overall fill rate for new employees; district cited targeted recruitment, onboarding improvements, and internal reassignment to balance class loads.","taxTitle","LAS CRUCES PUBLIC SCHOOLS, School Districts, New Mexico","taxId",13252,"location","New Mexico","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6486321,"Board approves MOU with City of Las Cruces to fund in-person behavioral health services at school clinics",311,9067000,9378000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5605826-fd63bd6824fc77b00a7dfaf8ecc582ca&start=9067&end=9378","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5605826-fd63bd6824fc77b00a7dfaf8ecc582ca/thumbnail_9067000.jpg","/articles/6486321/New-Mexico/Board-approves-MOU-with-City-of-Las-Cruces-to-fund-in-person-behavioral-health-services-at-school-clinics","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486321-dbba91518ebccefbd34052e8cc018ac3/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568757&Signature=MCp5T7XYUHZ-QmlR3vWF9LJY4Gr4t-wR-ZFtuksQnlYEzMz-TIUe6sFKau7HwpglOBL9D5o~5HceWO7Jv0yFiDPzGz5TCHD6xqRfQVokBWggLBsRh3u6qOqb1aYPEPLpaUV61kwbMw~jZ6BjHfsBPAb-924Ymj1Yk7d6tsLE2AoJoedeXlNccqkvo67beDyFAg6bGcQk0oS-xVucD8Coy0O0oj6gdwqKMDhZBKCjvTgKrgcKfbo~aY2YPIHaaSbv87ABxJiIF-8PPobj-N5lruv6xWRSC0LL~FBtbMME7-6zLYvVqSQ-JqsloWe0hi-vLh1K2B886MGv2KV77Go6tQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Las Cruces Public Schools Board of Education approved on Aug. 19 a one-year memorandum of understanding with the City of Las Cruces that provides $150,000 to help staff, train and equip in-person behavioral health providers at the district’s school-based health centers.

Doctor Lozano presented the MOU and said the funding fills a gap in on-site behavioral health coverage that grew after the pandemic as some providers shifted to virtual-only services. The funds were tied to an RFP the board had previously approved for a service provider, Lozano said, and will be used specifically to support in-person providers working directly with district health centers.

Board members thanked the city for the allocation. Vice President Noland asked whether the money was intended for salaries; Lozano confirmed it would help cover staffing and training costs. Board members described the MOU as a partnership to ensure there is in-person behavioral-health support and referenced past incidents where students seeking help were unable to receive on-site services.

A motion to approve the MOU was moved by Vice President Noland and seconded by Secretary Wofford. Secretary Wofford voted yes; Vice President Noland yes; President Court yes; Mr. Frank had stepped out during the vote — the clerk recorded the outcome as 4-0 in favor.

Ending: The board approved the MOU and directed staff to implement the contract with the selected provider and to report back on provider placement and service levels.","The board approved a one-year memorandum of understanding with the City of Las Cruces to provide $150,000 for in-person behavioral health staffing, training and equipment at school-based health centers; vote was 4-0.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6486326,"Board discusses NMSBA resolutions on special education funding, federally funded positions and transportation; action deferred",1924,6965000,8889000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5605826-fd63bd6824fc77b00a7dfaf8ecc582ca&start=6965&end=8889","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5605826-fd63bd6824fc77b00a7dfaf8ecc582ca/thumbnail_6965000.jpg","/articles/6486326/New-Mexico/Board-discusses-NMSBA-resolutions-on-special-education-funding-federally-funded-positions-and-transportation-action-deferred","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486326-cf2723e5303251e3e3bd9455fe3324b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568757&Signature=EW0f~kJFYhBFUszF0PhnZo1PlIYbrso7sWwUZIDIKZsiFgZXFeY7Me9dNwZJ4rJ4gOwYbTZMJb4uNaTR7bLbOldVt1hgcZdJp94ztAbdi7slTXxQi~rK8f7WchNndwah2ls3bAmfKICT-iFtJFCYjsKvWSvAWLPoSlWXdlDLrU0YCY53hcW6IfanrvpkR6QoHBNxwg8M-J6gkaMa6eYSVR5svdEi1Cou-0HWo-dvC-VTnummPDMjdahQwtLiC4NdU0nCBl0KMFf8NIXlLOuMTzmj7h6gx-6FKbVX52TKVxESBBPhapmcLK~0yrr6VEegV0UXX7ygnagbI7aPfkfbkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Las Cruces Public Schools Board members and staff discussed three proposed resolutions for the New Mexico School Boards Association (NMSBA) legislative packet on Aug. 19 but took no final vote, directing staff and board champions to refine the language and bring the items back at a Sept. 2 work session.

Shirley O'Brien and board member Tonorio presented draft resolutions that would ask the NMSBA to advocate (1) revisions and increased funding to the special education funding formula, (2) solutions for a gap in federally funded positions that leaves district services vulnerable as federal allocations decline, and (3) full funding for daily and activity transportation, including activity buses used for tutoring, sports and clubs.

Board members discussed wording that would make the resolutions more appealing to other districts and to NMSBA’s statewide committee. Member Tenorio suggested universal/statewide language rather than district-specific phrasing and asked whether it was possible to include dollar figures or multipliers; budget staff and Chief Financial Officer Josh Montoya cautioned that specific dollar asks can complicate adoption because districts’ needs vary. Montoya recommended adding precise facts where possible, such as the last federal IDEA funding baseline year and the degree to which IDEA funding has lagged.

Secretary Wofford asked whether the special education resolution duplicated prior requests; staff and Montoya said the proposed formula-language was different and that discussions could include reference to underfunding trends since 2004 and the mismatch of multipliers to student needs. For the federally funded positions resolution, Doctor Lozano noted prior COVID-era requests and said the current ask focuses on the structural gap created as federal funding circulates to pay raises and benefits.

Transportation director Luis Rodriguez outlined the transportation resolution requests, saying the district currently spends millions on transportation and is requesting full state funding to include after-school activity buses to remove barriers to participation.

No resolutions were adopted during the Aug. 19 meeting; board members agreed to revise language to emphasize statewide relevance and to add quantifying material where appropriate. The board plans to finalize and vote on any resolutions at the Sept. 2 work session so the district can meet the NMSBA internal deadlines ahead of the 2026 legislative session.","The board reviewed three proposed legislative resolutions for the New Mexico School Boards Association—special education funding formula, federally funded positions and full transportation funding—and agreed to refine language and return on Sept. 2 for potential submission; no adoption occurred Aug. 19.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6486330,"Las Cruces school board adopts policy limiting student use of wireless devices during instructional time",816,6634000,7450000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5605826-fd63bd6824fc77b00a7dfaf8ecc582ca&start=6634&end=7450","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5605826-fd63bd6824fc77b00a7dfaf8ecc582ca/thumbnail_6634000.jpg","/articles/6486330/New-Mexico/Las-Cruces-school-board-adopts-policy-limiting-student-use-of-wireless-devices-during-instructional-time","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486330-624444e6aa3b9d93503ee8af84ba5374/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568757&Signature=a~0MO1zLFRcCb8W03ydiJOCMZrg~27~oJ6J4pJ8OZq9s2eHwNHbWge6kyv0UyzVvKstMULJn357kr5vo6Xijb-8YU~3lQn6raQALINX1~cBVGYy5UkJYQkoYIUkYuUInWN1sOo0WgWYvm9yBfVhl-ARCBAaDnA~swDfDfrio5EmxUT0a7rSxsbQsm76bZE8-evtSMgjvVwNmO9LaGFYDop7MuYzd9x82q4eiWd-OKJ6h0bVB-BVFJYevmpKrwMW4fxBE6JAm~1CNFUpggMzu9a2nDUb6vMPmzVjmiVBJXCXy2XAslhmVHS5vRSNzsurmWkrIQ2BzEYxxQfbnmyk60g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Las Cruces Public Schools Board of Education voted 5-0 on Aug. 19 to adopt policy JICJ, restricting student use of wireless communication devices during instructional time while allowing teachers to authorize devices for instructional purposes.

Doctor Wendy Miller-Tomlinson presented the policy for second reading and possible approval. She said the board’s packet contained a corrected version and that no public comments had been received since the first reading. The policy does not impose a blanket ban; it permits teacher-authorized instructional use and leaves implementation details to the superintendent’s regulation.

Board member Frank described the policy as targeted: \"It doesn't really ban cell phones or these electronic devices. It's just putting them away at the time when they really should be put away,\" he said, and characterized it as complying with state law while allowing classroom discretion. Student advisory council member Addison, who had participated in student council discussions, told the board that enforcement varies by teacher and school but observed improvements in classrooms where teachers strictly enforce the rule.

Miller-Tomlinson and district staff said the regulation will clarify specifics such as where and when phones must be stowed, and noted that passing periods are considered instructional time for the policy; lunch periods are not. The board discussed enforcement differences between elementary, middle and high schools and the latitude principals and high-school teachers will have to permit instructional use.

A motion to approve the policy was moved by Mr. Frank and seconded by Vice President Noland. The roll-call vote was Secretary Wofford: yes; Mr. Frank: yes; Miss Tenorio: yes; Vice President Noland: yes; President Court: yes, producing a 5-0 adoption.

Ending: The board approved JICJ and directed staff to finalize the superintendent’s regulation and work with principals on implementation and enforcement.

","The board approved policy JICJ, which regulates student wireless device use during instructional hours and allows teacher-authorized use for instruction; vote was 5-0.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6486335,"Coaches, parents urge Las Cruces Public Schools to raise stipends and standardize pay",896,3555000,4451000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5605826-fd63bd6824fc77b00a7dfaf8ecc582ca&start=3555&end=4451","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5605826-fd63bd6824fc77b00a7dfaf8ecc582ca/thumbnail_3555000.jpg","/articles/6486335/New-Mexico/Coaches-parents-urge-Las-Cruces-Public-Schools-to-raise-stipends-and-standardize-pay","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486335-25b1c781336e29c87567604647b74db7/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568757&Signature=BBGWfOhrOB4uK4~ulOxIBTP0fh~IhKWpTKJxcSecuhfFqHQnXXho0V~viuchTZROPmEkjCKzxQHijDRY1ARVx9vxBXQwaMMjPZ64dMLWrP6axIV-e7BiAkPgQLXCt2TSq5kcY~oi6IOLF3riJrvrxlD6i-DHvRDq7kMsef9M8nR0fwgagb03MonOYK2UpZAX6iBEtk0PgnND7QuJoNJe3JebpdNyNRTWjPF~eNI-gzo-TztJ1cutnVbI7gst3TIybmE5PW~q6~oyctdU04bU4auhjsZxB4kbRxWPIm3ft8vctMP3eG6uBHt7iHtO0bDCfyRaDIhuXGNFRax5~L5ciw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several Las Cruces-area coaches and parents urged the Las Cruces Public Schools Board of Education on Aug. 19 to raise and standardize stipends for extracurricular coaches, saying current pay levels make it difficult to recruit and retain experienced coaches.

The most vocal speakers at the meeting were high school coaches and parents from Centennial, Mayfield, Organ Mountain and Las Cruces high schools who said tennis coaches in particular are paid far less than comparable districts and that the district’s stipend schedule lacks transparent criteria.

\"I feel utterly disrespected as a coach,\" said James Alba, Centennial High School case manager and varsity tennis coach, adding that he has been pushing the issue since 2022. Alba described stipend differences he said he had documented: \"cheer, pom and dance… went from $1,800 to $3,600 and one went from $2,000 to $6,000,\" and he said some districts pay tennis coaches about $6,300 while LCPS tennis stipends were \"$2,275.\" Alba said he has printed evidence and would share it with the board.

Coach Judy, who identified herself as a longtime Mayfield coach, recounted her hours and calculations and said coaching is a large time commitment. \"As a coach… you put in at least 435 hours,\" she said, and added that paying the state minimum wage for that time would equate to roughly $6,204.

Organ Mountain head tennis coach Melanie Jorgensen said coaches are not asking for money out of self interest but for fairness and for students’ sake: \"It's not about the money, but it's more about equal and transparency.\" Las Cruces High coach Bill Childress recommended raising stipends by $4,000 to make LCPS more competitive and to broaden the candidate pool for paid positions.

Julie Waco, president of NEA Las Cruces, told the board that bargaining addressed some of the inequities this summer. \"We looked at pay inequities of club and activity sponsors and gave Cheer and Pom huge increases in their stipend pay to recognize the hard work they do,\" Waco said, adding that every stipend on the schedule received a 4% increase. She said NEA Las Cruces has formed a committee to analyze pay for clubs and sports across the state and has invited stakeholders to participate.

Parents asked that any increases be made effective as soon as possible or applied retroactively for last season; one parent asked specifically that negotiating teams \"take another look at stipends and help us continue to build on our successful tennis programs.\"

Board members and NEA representatives said they would pursue further work through a labor-management committee and invited concerned stakeholders to provide data. The board did not take formal action on stipends at the Aug. 19 meeting and NEA said it will continue committee work and discussions with the district.

Ending: Board and union leaders said they will continue the conversation during bargaining and in a labor-management committee; the board’s next work session on Sept. 2 was flagged as an opportunity to revisit resolutions and district priorities raised during public comment.","Tennis coaches, parents and NEA Las Cruces representatives pressed the school board to increase and standardize coaching stipends after some sports received large increases while others remain low.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

LCPS reports near-full staffing: 99% teacher fill rate, 25 current vacancies

Board approves MOU with City of Las Cruces to fund in-person behavioral health services at school clinics

Board discusses NMSBA resolutions on special education funding, federally funded positions and transportation; action deferred

Las Cruces school board adopts policy limiting student use of wireless devices during instructional time

Coaches, parents urge Las Cruces Public Schools to raise stipends and standardize pay