Board approves two small governance‑manual amendments after debate over public review process

Board approves two small governance‑manual amendments after debate over public review process On July 16, 2025, the Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education approved two amendments to sections of the district governance manual: revisions to section 4.d.4 and to section 4.m.8. Board members discussed whether the edits required the policy committee’s first reading and a formal 30‑day public comment period. Board Member Josefina Dominguez urged adherence to the manual’s sequence for policy changes, telling colleagues the manual requires a first‑meeting review, a 30‑day public comment window and a subsequent meeting before final action for proposed new policies and certain revisions. “If that majority vote was taken… the board tonight then must discuss the merits of the revisions first, then perhaps suggest further amendments and vote whether or not to send the suggested amendments to the policy committee for a first meeting,” Dominguez said. Supporters of the amendments described the edits as limited, technical clarifications and invoked the manual’s provision that not all amendments require an additional reading. Board Member Courtney Jackson said the language at issue was a single‑sentence strike that counsel recommended to clarify meaning; she said the amendment did not create new policy and thus did not trigger a separate public‑comment calendar. The board proceeded to vote on each amendment after discussion. Votes on the two items were split along similar lines. On the 4.d.4 revision the roll call showed Board Member Dominguez and Board Member Reynaldo Tomorito voted against the change; the other members voted in favor and the amendment passed. On the 4.m.8 revision the motion also passed with similar voting: a majority approved while Dominguez and Tomorito voted no. The board did not direct additional public review for these specific edits. Members who opposed the expedited approvals argued for fuller committee review and public comment in future cases where policy language affects public‑facing procedural processes. Supporters said the board must balance careful public process against the need to fix unclear internal language so governance work can proceed without unnecessary procedural delay. The meeting record shows the full text of the governance manual and the exact strike language will be available in the board’s administrative materials and meeting minutes, and the board services office said it will ensure members of the public can access the revised language and the committee’s materials.