Las Cruces Public Schools launches $65 million bond and 3‑mill levy campaign; committee stresses no tax‑rate increase

Las Cruces Public Schools officials and a community Blue Ribbon Committee outlined details of a campaign for a $65 million general obligation bond and a three‑mill (HB 33 / SB 9 cycle) school mill levy renewal that will appear on the November ballot, saying approval would not raise the district's existing tax rate.

Kiel Hoffman, market president of Pioneer Bank and chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee, told the school board the committee will focus on turnout and direct voter contacts. "If we get 4,000 people to vote yes, chances are really good that we're going to win this election," Hoffman said, urging business and community leaders to ask employees, neighbors and family to support the measures.

Bridget Gadibai, an LCPS staff member coordinating the campaign, said the outreach will include bilingual materials, social and traditional media, community presentations and a speakers bureau staffed by district cabinet members and committee volunteers. She said the campaign's logo and a short video launched this week, and that the Blue Ribbon Committee will fund and deploy yard signs and targeted messaging.

Finance staff and the district's municipal finance advisor described how the bond fits the district's long‑term plan. Eric Harrigan of RBC Capital Markets presented tax‑base history and financing assumptions, noting LCPS's taxable value grew about 28% since the district's last major authorization and that rapid debt retirement has allowed larger voter authorizations while keeping the debt service levy stable. Harrigan said the district structured recent debt to retire faster than typical school issues, which provides room for the proposed $65 million question.

LCPS finance director (presenter identified in the meeting as Mr. Lou) and staff also reviewed the estimated project list. The package includes planning and an initial phase of an extended Mayfield High School renovation, prioritized HVAC and roof work across campuses, playground and shade projects, safety and security upgrades, and a $6 million contingency for urgent needs. District materials presented the projects as a combination of district bond funds and state match opportunities; the district's example budget shows an approximate split between district and state contributions for the Mayfield program.

Officials emphasized two messages they said would be central to outreach: that the tax rate would not increase if voters approve the measures and that the bond would primarily fund infrastructure (roofs, HVAC, safety, playgrounds) and the mill levy would support recurring needs such as facility maintenance, instruments and classroom furniture. Early voting was noted to begin Oct. 7.

Board members and students raised local details; Ella, the student advisor from Mayfield High School, described recurring plumbing and floor problems at Mayfield and urged the board to highlight how the bond would address those campus‑specific needs.

What happens next: the board and Blue Ribbon Committee will deploy community presentations, bilingual materials and a speakers bureau in the weeks before early voting. The board did not adopt any campaign expenditures at the meeting; that work is being coordinated through the Blue Ribbon Committee and LCPS communications.

Ending: District officials framed the campaign as a community effort, asking board members to use personal networks, social media and civic events to raise turnout and noting the bond and mill levy together are intended to preserve the existing tax rate while funding school repairs and upgrades.