The Alamogordo Public Schools Board of Education on March 19 approved a five‑year facilities master plan that prioritizes replacing Chaparral Middle School and repairing the high school roof, following a presentation by consultants Capital AE and ThinkSmart Planning.

Consultants told the board the plan responds to long‑term enrollment trends and an inventory that shows roughly $95 million in deferred maintenance across the district. Molly Smith of ThinkSmart and Josh Chisholm of Capital AE outlined capacity and utilization projections, enrollment forecasts and financing scenarios that range from a $67 million program (no waiver, no bond) to a $167 million program if the district secures a state funding waiver and local bond proceeds.

"One of the things the state asked us to do is to look at age groupings and housing starts," Molly Smith said, summarizing the enrollment analysis showing a historical decline close to 2% per year but a projected net increase of about 263 students over the planning window. The consultants recommended "right‑sizing" replacement schools to current and forecasted enrollment rather than rebuilding to historic capacities.

Superintendent Michael Crabtree told the board that Chaparral is the district's immediate priority and that the master plan is intended to be revisited as funding clarity emerges. "Priority number one is Chaparral," Crabtree said, adding that the district will pursue a state waiver and the planned 2027 no‑tax‑increase bond as the next funding steps.

The board packet included financial scenarios prepared with the district's financial adviser; consultants noted the district could pair local bond proceeds with state funding (a PSCOC/PSFA waiver) to leverage local dollars. The plan lists technology infrastructure, CTE upgrades, ADA improvements and athletics upgrades among the next priorities after Chaparral and the high‑school roof.

Board members and committee participants said the plan reflects extensive stakeholder input from a 40‑person guiding coalition and a facility master planning committee. The consultants said the plan will be submitted to the Public School Facilities Authority (PSFA) and that the district should update the plan as conditions and funding evolve.

At the meeting the board voted to adopt the plan; consultants and district staff said the next steps are to finalize Chaparral's design, seek PSFA approvals and, if applicable, petition for the state funding waiver tied to local matching capacity.

The board approved the plan by voice vote with no recorded opposition.