LCPS superintendent withdraws district from CES study; board to consider ratification and policy calendar set

LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Superintendent Ruiz told the school board on Aug. 12 that he has withdrawn Las Cruces Public Schools from participation in the Cooperative Educational Services (CES) statewide study that the board had originally approved in 2023. He said the district now has internal capacity, existing thought partners and an operational plan to implement the strategic plan without the study's ongoing technical assistance.

Nut graf: Ruiz said the upfront strategic-planning assistance from CES had been valuable, but the study's next phases would have required recurring district participation, travel and selection/management of external thought partners at a cost that he judged unnecessary given the district's capabilities. He offered to follow up with CES for a limited, a la carte engagement if useful. Board members asked for formal ratification of the superintendent's decision at the next regular meeting.

Policy calendar and AI discussion: At the same meeting, staff proposed a policy-review calendar that staggers two policies per cycle (two in fall, two in spring) and reserves April—June for emergent legislation. Board members asked staff to consider adding policy updates tied to artificial intelligence and student privacy. Staff said many AI issues are being addressed in acceptable-use policy, digital citizenship lessons and teacher guidance (including district-approved AI tools) and recommended regulation-level updates rather than immediate standalone AI policy.

Why it matters: CES participation would have provided external benchmarking and a statewide collaborative forum; withdrawal shifts responsibility to district staff and local thought partners and requires the board to ratify the change publicly to close the governance loop.

Next steps: Superintendent Ruiz said he will invite CES to examine LCPS's progress and optionally provide discrete services going forward. The board requested an agenda item at the next regular meeting to formally ratify the withdrawal decision.

Speakers: Superintendent Ruiz, members of the board including President Courtney and Secretary Wofford, consultant representatives were present earlier in the meeting.