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La Mesa Elementary families and staff protest principal’s removal; board hears dozens of public comments
Summary
Parents, staff and community partners told the APS board that the removal and reassignment of La Mesa Elementary’s principal was done without data or meaningful community engagement. Speakers said the change threatens gains at schools in CSI/MRI status and urged the board to uphold district ‘guardrails’ on staff voice.
Parents, teachers and community partners packed the June 4 Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education meeting to protest the reassignment and demotion of La Mesa Elementary’s principal.
Multiple speakers said they were not given an explanation, that staff petitioned against the change, and that the principal’s leadership had helped produce school improvements. “We are shocked and heartbroken by the removal and demotion of principal Aqbal, a decision made without explanation,” said Erica Apodaca, speaking on behalf of La Mesa families. Josie Chavez, dean at La Mesa Elementary, said the change took place without data shared with staff or families and warned it could push the school from Corrective Support and Intervention (CSI) status into more serious monitoring.
Teachers and community partners described petitions and surveys. Chavez told the board 92% of staff opposed the move and said she was presenting a petition signed by staff. Diana Martinez, a third-grade teacher, said district leaders sent only a brief notice and staff requests for dialogue were met with vague replies.
Outside partners also objected. David Poole, director of the La Mesa Arts Academy, said the principal had been a consistent supporter of after-school programs and that recent cooperation had helped sustain the program. Several speakers urged the board to consider stability and community trust when moving administrators.
Context and board obligations
Speakers repeatedly referenced APS guardrails that require staff and community voice when making school-level decisions. Several said the district’s stated guardrail 5 — which calls for staff voice and support — had been violated in these personnel moves. Board members and staff emphasized that personnel decisions are managed by the superintendent’s office; however, commenters said they had received little explanation and wanted a public forum to address the process.
What the board did not do
The board did not vote on the personnel moves during the meeting. No formal action altering the personnel decisions was recorded on June 4.
Speakers (selected)
- Josie Chavez, Dean, La Mesa Elementary (public commenter) - Erica Apodaca, La Mesa family representative (public commenter) - Diana Martinez, third-grade teacher, La Mesa Elementary (public commenter) - David Poole, Director, La Mesa Arts Academy (public commenter) - Multiple parents from Emerson and other schools also testified in support of their principals.
Clarifying details
- Staff petition: speakers described a staff petition saying 92% of La Mesa staff opposed the principal’s reassignment (petition presented to the board by speakers). - School status: speakers described La Mesa as in CSI status and said data sources beyond test scores (family engagement surveys, awards) showed improvement; they said the change could jeopardize gains.
Proper names
- ALBUQUERQUE PUBLIC SCHOOLS - La Mesa Elementary School
Searchable tags
["La Mesa Elementary","principal reassignment","staff voice","guardrail 5","public forum"]
Provenance
- topicintro: public comments about La Mesa principal removal (transcript time ~s=845–924) - topfinish: subsequent public comments, including a teacher and program director (transcript time ~s=1191–1243).
