APS board approves revised CSI/MRI grant narrative after demanding semesterly school-level reviews

The Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education voted Sept. 17 to approve a revised board narrative for the 2025–26 School Improvement and Transformation grant application after an extended discussion about oversight of CSI (Comprehensive Support and Improvement) and MRI (Multi-tiered System of Intervention/priority) schools.

Board member Heather Benavides moved to approve the revised narrative; the motion was seconded by Board Secretary Astorga. A roll-call vote was unanimous with Benavides, Josefina Dominguez, Ronaldo Tomorito, Danella Storge (as recorded), Courtney Jackson and Board Secretary Astorga voting yes. The motion passed.

Why it mattered: board members said the initial consent-item submission did not clearly document how the board would receive school-specific updates or the agendas showing when individual school plans were presented, discussed and approved. Board member Josefina Dominguez said the district’s July 16 consent agenda “did not provide the board with sufficient information about the CSIMRI status of the 33 schools” and asked for written PED feedback, clearer language in the narrative, and a scheduled board workshop in the fall for targeted school plan review.

What the administration said: Deputy Superintendent Randy Mollerwein, Chief Academic Officer Sherry Jett and Executive Director Melanie Blea explained that the revised narrative was produced after PED asked on Aug. 4 that the narrative detail how board updates will address CSI/MRI schools and that school improvement plans appear as formal agenda items. Blea explained the original board narrative was submitted Aug. 1 after board approval on July 16 and that PED allowed the narrative to be placed on consent if each school plan and supporting documentation were included with the agenda. She said, “They did approve this item going on the consent agenda as long as each school was listed independently with the supporting documentation.”

Numbers and carryover funds: administrators said 54 school improvement plans were included in the review. Of those, 18 are APS schools that exited MRI or CSI status after the 2023–24 school year and have carryover grant funds remaining from the prior allocation; 20 schools remain in MRI or CSI status for 2024–25; the remainder are APS-authorized charter schools. Blea explained carryover funds as money allocated in a prior fiscal year that schools may continue to expend until exhausted.

Board demands and agreed changes: Dominguez and other board members pushed for clearer, routine progress monitoring. The board secured agreement from administration to add language that, “in addition, a board meeting will be held once a semester: one for MRI/CSI traditional schools and one for charter schools,” and that these presentations would not be placed on a consent agenda but would appear as discussion items with supporting materials so board members can ask substantive questions. Administration said it will schedule those presentations and that fiscal flow for the grant depends on submitting an acceptable narrative to PED.

Next steps and deadlines: Blea and Blakey said the original application was submitted Aug. 1 and that PED provided feedback Aug. 4; the district needed to revise and resubmit the narrative to ensure funds flow. The board’s approval authorizes the revised narrative, with the understanding staff will follow up with the semesterly presentation schedule and provide PED’s written feedback to the board.

Formal action: Motion to approve the revised 2025–26 School Improvement and Transformation narrative (moved by Board member Heather Benavides; seconded by Board Secretary Astorga) — outcome: approved (unanimous roll-call vote).