APS board unanimously renews eight charter school contracts after student public forum

The Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously Nov. 12 to renew contracts and performance frameworks for eight charter schools following public testimony from students and parents.

Board President Neil Gonzales opened the special meeting at the Alice and Bruce King Educational Complex and heard a 45-minute public forum in which 18 speakers — mainly students from charter campuses — described classroom projects, internship opportunities and programs they said supported their academic and social growth. "I am asking that Alice King Community School's charter is renewed, so we may continue giving these students opportunities," said Chloe Lopez, an eighth grader at Alice King Community School.

The renewals on the agenda included Alice King Community School, Native American Community Academy (NACA), New Mexico International School (NMIS), ACE Leadership High School, Christine Duncan Heritage Academy, Health Leadership High School, Mark Armijo Academy and Robert F. Kennedy Charter School. Each renewal was introduced by Dr. Joseph Escobedo, senior director of charter schools for Albuquerque Public Schools, who answered board members’ questions about mission-specific goals, performance data and financial indicators. "State statute actually limits the oversight that authorizers have over a budget," Escobedo said while explaining the district’s focus on financial performance indicators rather than line-item review.

Discussion varied by school. Members probed Alice King about its multi-age classrooms and the school's four-day week; presenters said classrooms typically have about 20 students, with a full-time teacher and a full-time educational assistant, and described looping and student-achievement data that they said support the multi-age model. Finance questions surfaced for several renewals: board member Josefina Dominguez said she "wished we had been better prepared ahead of time for the shift in financial reporting," and Escobedo pointed board members to audited KPIs in the renewal packets.

At ACE Leadership High School, presenters described a strong internship program: "All of our seniors or capstone students participate in a paid internship," one presenter told the board, noting about 77 paid capstone internships this year and job-shadow rotations for juniors. Health Leadership presenters described project-based assessments, partnerships that provide workplace feedback and an on-site school-based health clinic; board members asked how the school serves English-language learners, and presenters said they intentionally use students’ native languages as strengths while providing bilingual staff and targeted supports.

Votes and immediate outcomes: each renewal motion was seconded and carried by roll-call vote; board members recorded unanimous approvals for the agenda items on the docket that night. Member Jackson and Member Tapia Romero were frequent movers/seconders on the motions. No renewal was denied or tabled.

Votes at a glance Alice King Community School — approved (unanimous roll-call vote) Native American Community Academy — approved (unanimous roll-call vote) New Mexico International School — approved (unanimous roll-call vote) ACE Leadership High School — approved (unanimous roll-call vote) Christine Duncan Heritage Academy — approved (unanimous roll-call vote) Health Leadership High School — approved (unanimous roll-call vote) Mark Armijo Academy — approved (unanimous roll-call vote) Robert F. Kennedy Charter School — approved (unanimous roll-call vote)

What happens next Board members scheduled the next regular meeting for Nov. 19. The renewals are effective per each contract's terms; presenters said audited financial indicators and annual performance reporting will continue to be monitored by the district. The meeting adjourned after the roll-call votes.

Reporting notes: Quotes and attributions come from the Nov. 12, 2025 special meeting transcript and live public testimony; the board's discussion focused on mission-specific goals, internship placements and financial performance indicators rather than line-by-line budget oversight.