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Superintendent updates board on Young Park tragedy response and urges continued advocacy for classified staff pay
Summary
Superintendent Ruiz briefed the board on the district’s crisis response to a recent shooting at Young Park, described counseling and outreach efforts, and urged continued advocacy after the legislature declined proposed base pay increases for classified staff.
Superintendent Ruiz used the April 1 work session to brief the Las Cruces Public Schools board on the district’s immediate response to a recent shooting at Young Park and to report on the outcome of state legislative action affecting classified staff pay.
Crisis response and supports Ruiz said district cabinet leaders met immediately after the incident to coordinate communications and resources. The district sent messages in English and Spanish to families, shared guidance with principals, mobilized a district crisis response team, and increased counseling and social‑work support at schools when students returned from spring break. Ruiz noted the district posted resources including the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and other local counseling resources and coordinated walk‑in counseling events through community partners.
Board members were briefed that communications emphasized not reposting unconfirmed information and directing residents to official sources. Superintendent Ruiz thanked the district’s counseling and behavioral health staff and acknowledged community outreach from U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez’s office and other partners.
Legislative update affecting classified staff District staff also reported on state legislative activity. CSEC and union representatives had sought base‑pay increases for classified staff, including a proposed $30,000 base and a separate proposal to raise educational assistants’ base to $35,000. Superintendent Ruiz and a union contact (AFT New Mexico’s Whitney Holland) reported the measures were not funded during the session. Ruiz called the outcome “very disappointing” and said the district will continue to pursue legislative support and engage local legislators and stakeholders.
Board members acknowledged the disappointment and encouraged further advocacy. Superintendent Ruiz said the legislature did approve a separate tiered $5,000 increase affecting some employee groups and a 1% wage increase that the district will account for in negotiations.
No formal action was required of the board; the superintendent’s briefing was informational and intended to update the board and the community on supports and advocacy steps.
