The Albuquerque Public Schools Policy Committee received an update Oct. 6 on a draft tribal-consultation policy that staff sent to outside counsel for legal review.

Policy analyst Jessica Martinez told the committee the tribal‑consultation draft is currently under legal review by Walsh Gallegos; once legal review is complete the draft will be posted for a 30‑day public comment period and returned to committee. “The policy language is currently under legal review,” Martinez said.

Chair Josefina Dominguez reported she had sought independent technical input on tribal-consultation requirements because she was concerned district legal counsel might lack specialized tribal-law expertise. Dominguez explained she contacted an outside tribal‑law expert who advised that the first step for boards is adopting high‑level policy language recognizing the legal duty to consult and stating values, then engaging tribal leaders and urban Indigenous representatives to design procedures and timelines. Dominguez said community leaders who attended the consultation session expressed upset that board members were not present for the discussion.

Superintendent Dr. Kurt Blakey confirmed the district used counsel under its existing procurement contracts for legal review and that the outside input Dominguez described was separate from the district’s formal legal review. Policy analyst Martinez said the draft has been in legal review for fewer than two weeks and the committee should expect the standard sequence of legal review followed by a 30‑day public posting before further committee consideration.

No vote was taken. Committee members asked staff to ensure clear communication with tribal and Indigenous stakeholders about the scope of the draft and the steps the board will follow before formal consultation begins.