APS policy committee approves multiple policy changes, advances Request-for-Information policy; governance manual discussion to continue

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Albuquerque Public Schools Policy Committee approved a package of policy changes and moved a new Request-for-Information policy forward during its Feb. 3 meeting, voting on a set of administrator- and board-level policy edits that committee members said are intended to clarify board procedures and public transparency.

The committee approved archiving several administrative policies, amendments to student- and instruction-related board policies, a tobacco-free schools update, and clarified rules for naming or renaming district facilities. Committee members also approved adding section 4R — a formal Request-for-Information (RFI) policy and process — to the APS Governance Manual with edits agreed at the meeting.

The revisions affect how board members request information from district staff, how long the district has to respond, and how media or external requests will be handled. The committee debated several items at length, notably language to make clear that the board’s parental-rights policy will not supersede federal special-education procedural safeguards.

Most contested was a 2015-era policy on facility naming and renaming. Supporters said board oversight is required because renaming can carry costs and accountability concerns; opponents said the board should limit time spent on items that do not directly affect student outcomes. The board approved the naming and renaming revisions on a 4–1 vote, with Board Member Courtney Jackson the lone “no.”

Votes at a glance - Adoption of Feb. 3, 2025 Policy Committee meeting agenda — Moved by Board Member Heather Benavides; seconded by Board Member Reynaldo Tomorito. Roll-call: Janella Estorga, Reynaldo Tomorito, Heather Benavides, Courtney Jackson and Chair Josefina Dominguez — all voted yes. Outcome: approved. - Approval of minutes, Policy Committee meeting Jan. 13, 2025 (amended to record Benavides present) — Moved by Board Member Courtney Jackson; seconded by Board Member Heather Benavides. Outcome: approved as amended. - Archive administrative policy (Teaching about controversial or sensitive issues) — Motion moved and seconded; roll-call: Estorga yes, Tomorito yes, Benavides yes, Jackson yes, Dominguez yes. Outcome: approved (archived). - Archive Administrative Board Policy KB, Family and Community Engagement — Moved by Board Member Heather Benavides; seconded by Board Member Courtney Jackson. Outcome: approved (archived). - Approve revisions to Board Policy KB‑1, Student and Parent/Guardian Rights and Responsibilities, with amendment to add cross-reference to IDEA procedural safeguards — Motion moved by Board Member Courtney Jackson; amended by Board Member Heather Benavides to insert language referencing IDEA and legal review; seconded; roll-call: Estorga yes, Tomorito yes, Benavides yes, Jackson yes, Dominguez yes. Outcome: approved (amendment accepted; legal review to follow). - Approve revisions to Board Policy AD, Tobacco‑Free Schools — Moved by Board Member Heather Benavides; seconded by Board Member Courtney Jackson. Outcome: approved. - Approve revisions to Board Policy FE, Naming, Renaming and Dedication of Facilities — Moved by Board Member Heather Benavides; seconded; roll-call produced a 4–1 vote (Courtney Jackson voted no). Outcome: approved. - Approve revisions to Board Policy IH, Instructional Program — Moved by Board Member Courtney Jackson; seconded by Board Member Heather Benavides. Outcome: approved. - Approve revisions to Board Policy IK, Academic Accountability — Moved by Board Member Heather Benavides; seconded. Outcome: approved. - Approve addition of section 4R, Request for Information policy and process, to the APS Governance Manual (with edits agreed during the meeting) — Moved by Board Member Heather Benavides; seconded by Board Member Courtney Jackson; roll-call: Estorga yes, Tomorito yes, Benavides yes, Jackson yes, Dominguez yes. Outcome: approved (edits to wording and placement agreed; media‑inquiry language will be considered for placement elsewhere in the manual).

Discussion, process and next steps Committee members debated where certain responsibilities should sit — with the board or with administration. On naming and renaming, proponents said board involvement is appropriate because renaming can require board‑authorized funding and because names reflect community values; opponents warned such items can distract from an outcomes-focused governance role.

On changes to KB‑1, several members pressed to make explicit that the board’s parental‑rights policy should not conflict with federal special‑education procedural safeguards under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The committee added language to that effect and asked that the district’s legal team review the insertion before the full Board considers it.

The RFI policy was the subject of extended discussion and edits. Committee members agreed to several specific provisions: a request timeline (the district must provide requested materials within 20 business days, extendable to 30 business days with notification), a requirement that board members make a good‑faith effort to locate information using existing reports and dashboards before submitting an RFI, and new wording clarifying that RFIs are intended to obtain information and do not, by themselves, direct the superintendent to take action.

A motion to postpone further governance‑manual discussion until the full Board meeting failed on a 3–2 vote, so the committee continued to identify surgical clarifications to be addressed at the full Board meeting.

What this means for the public Most of the committee actions will appear on the Board of Education consent calendar for the March 5 meeting; the RFI addition to the governance manual is a newly created policy and will be posted for public review before final board action. Committee members asked the district legal counsel to review specific insertions (IDEA references) before the full Board acts.

Ending note Committee Chair Josefina Dominguez closed the meeting after directing staff to incorporate the edits discussed and to prepare materials for the full Board meeting. The committee scheduled its next policy meeting for April.