Las Cruces Public Schools board adopts $353.3 million FY26 operating budget, prioritizes safety and instruction

The Las Cruces Public Schools Board of Education voted 5-0 on May 20 to adopt the district's proposed fiscal year 2025-26 operating budget, a $353.3 million plan that district staff said increases the share of dollars devoted to in-class instruction.

Board members approved the budget after a presentation from Budget Director Matthew Saenz and Chief Financial Officer Alex Liu and a public review process that included an independent survey and two town-hall sessions. The motion to approve the proposed operating budget was made by Member Tonorio and seconded by Secretary Wofford; the vote was recorded as 5 ayes, 0 nays.

District leaders told the board the budget was built from a year-round process and public input gathered through a shorter, student-accessible survey tool. Officials reported more than 2,000 total survey responses and said 77 percent of the district's operating expenditures would be allocated to classroom instruction and direct student…