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Midtown parents press board for new Midtown school as EJ Martinez and Chaparral needs grow; board cites rising rebuild costs
Summary
Multiple parents and residents urged the board to prioritize a new Midtown school to serve EJ Martinez, Chaparral and Nava elementary populations; the board said earlier cost estimates rose from roughly $14–16 million to $35 million, affecting 2025 bond prioritization.
Parents and community members asked the Santa Fe Public Schools Board of Education on Sept. 25 to prioritize a new Midtown school to serve EJ Martinez, Chaparral and Nava neighborhoods, saying existing Midtown buildings have aging facilities and are unsafe in places.
“Last week...I was made aware…that the board will not reconsider their vote for a new building for EJ Martinez,” wrote Kimberly Will in emailed public comment read at the meeting. She asked the board to plan a consolidated Midtown school if rebuilding EJ alone is not feasible.
Public speakers in person echoed that call. Joyce Gitomer, a retired special‑education teacher, said EJ Martinez “is an important place to have a school and just keep the school, fix it up.” Another parent, Maribel (last name in transcript), asked the board to keep families informed about administrative changes and safety incidents at Midtown campuses.
Board members described why a Midtown rebuild was not placed earlier on the 2021 general obligation (GO) bond and explained why the district reconsidered prioritizing EJ for the 2025 bond. Vice President Noble summarized past estimates: a roof/HVAC fix was estimated at about $10–$12 million and a small rebuilt school at $14–$16 million; once the full rebuild estimate rose to about $35 million, the board reconsidered prioritizing that project in the 2025 GO bond.
“That cost had more than doubled,” Vice President Noble said when explaining why the board adjusted priorities after updated estimates.
Emails read into the record and several public commenters urged the board to allocate bond funds to Midtown schools instead of other projects, to provide temporary space while new construction occurs, and to keep parents included in planning. One public commenter urged the board to consider a consolidated facility that could include childcare and serve growing Midtown enrollment.
Why it matters: Midtown families told the board they face aging facilities, flooding and safety concerns and want the district to prioritize capital work in upcoming bond planning. The board cited escalating cost estimates as a reason a single‑school rebuild was removed from top priority lists.
Next steps: The Community Review Committee (CRC) and district staff have been asked by board members to return recommendations on reallocations and possible inclusion of Midtown projects in the 2025 GO bond; specific project budgets and a timeline were not finalized at the meeting.
