Superintendents’ state priorities, bond election and capital needs outlined to Deming board

District leaders outlined legislative priorities advocated by the New Mexico School Superintendents Association and reminded the board and public about an upcoming bond election that will not increase taxes but would reauthorize existing bonds to fund capital improvements.

The priorities discussed included calls for increased student‑transportation funding, addressing staffing and housing challenges in small districts, support for school safety initiatives and IDEA services, and attention to rising construction and maintenance costs. Presenters said some districts face very large insurance deductibles in the event of violent incidents and that set‑asides for those deductibles can pull funding away from classrooms.

Board and staff also discussed literacy initiatives, specifically the importance of third‑grade reading and structured literacy programs. Staff noted the superintendent association supports policy changes that would reintroduce an elected state board of education in place of the current appointed secretary model to provide leadership continuity.

Superintendent and business staff asked the board for input on capital and smaller “junior” funding requests for the upcoming legislative session. The board discussed prior successful requests — $150,000 for restroom upgrades and $100,000 for baseball fields — and asked staff to collect prioritized project proposals from principals before the next meeting.

District staff also reminded the public that the bond election will seek to reauthorize existing bonds to generate approximately $7 million for capital improvements such as HVAC, roofing and a central cafeteria replacement; the district said it would not participate in teacher‑housing development with bond proceeds.