Neighbors ask for public engagement and records before EJ Martinez demolition; bond opponents raise notice and priority concerns

Neighbors near the vacant EJ Martinez Elementary School and other community speakers told the Santa Fe Public Schools board on Oct. 23 they want fuller engagement and public records before demolition proceeds and before voters decide on a $150 million bond in November.

A resident who said her family lives adjacent to the EJ Martinez building said the neighborhood had received "little outreach" about the site's future and requested public release of documents and reasons supporting demolition beyond what is currently available. The speaker said the lack of engagement caused the family to question whether to support the upcoming school bond.

Mark Rendleman, a longtime Santa Fe resident who said he was the first student enrolled at EJ Martinez, asked for clarification on the property's chain of title and for the board to disclose whether covenants or restrictions limit future uses. Rendleman also asked whether alternatives such as leasing the building or allowing a charter operator to occupy the property had been studied and whether demolition estimates were sufficient to make an informed decision.

At public forum, Tony M. urged voters to oppose the $150 million bond on multiple grounds: an asserted failure to properly notice the bond vote under the New Mexico Open Meetings Act during an Aug. 14 meeting; potential conflict of interest because he said Board President Roman Tiger Abeyta serves as CEO of the Santa Fe Community Housing Trust and that the bond includes millions for teacher housing; and concern that the bond prioritizes a $35 million administrative building for phase one while classroom needs remain unmet. Tony M. also asked for more transparent allocation plans and measures for how bond funds— outcomes would be assessed.

During board announcements, Dr. Gonzalez said the only action the district has so far taken regarding EJ Martinez is to plan for demolition and that he would keep neighbors informed. A board member on the community review committee said the committee recommended community engagement before demolition moves forward.

The board made no vote on demolition or bond language during the meeting. Several speakers asked for documents and for the board to hold meaningful community engagement before proceeding.