Finalist forum spotlights literacy, a districtwide math goal and a 7‑point long‑range plan for Rio Rancho Public Schools

RIO RANCHO, N.M. — Rio Rancho Public Schools hosted a public finalist forum in its superintendent search where three finalists laid out competing priorities and plans for the district.

Dr. Heather Sanchez, identified herself as the chief operating officer and superintendent designee for the Bellevue (Wash.) School District, said she would focus on early literacy, student well‑being, operational excellence and innovation if selected. "I am elated to be considered to serve as your next superintendent of schools," Sanchez said, and she emphasized community ties — noting family members live in the district and send children to Rio Rancho schools.

Sanchez highlighted the district's recent bond support and the need for transparent spending. She said the community passed an $80,000,000 bond with a 76% approval rating and that a $20,000,000 state contribution brings about $100,000,000 for projects; she added the district has identified roughly $357,000,000 in needs and pledged transparent stewardship of bond funds.

Sanchez cited literacy as a moral imperative: "About half of the students in this district are proficient in literacy," she said, and argued for continued K–3 interventions so more students are on track by third grade. She closed by promising visible leadership, community listening sessions and a superintendent advisory cabinet.

Todd Resch, who said he has worked in Rio Rancho Public Schools for four and a half years and previously served as a principal in Albuquerque Public Schools, centered his presentation on mathematics. Resch said districtwide math proficiency for 2024–25 is 34% and proposed a SMART goal to raise that to 44% by the end of the 2026–27 school year "as measured by the NIMESA, SAT, and through strengthened core instruction, targeted interventions, and enhanced teacher professional learning." He outlined how the district's four strategic pillars (staff excellence; safety and wellness; engagement and innovation; operational excellence) would back the goal — through recruitment, mentorship, a guaranteed and vertically aligned curriculum, PBIS and expanded tutoring and enrichment.

Dr. Robbie Dodd framed his talk as "honoring the past, building the present and inventing the future." Dodd pointed to district strengths he observed during school visits — including higher‑than‑state performance — and cited an "86 or 87 percent" graduation rate and reading proficiency he reported near 55% and math near 35%. He proposed a draft "7 keys to student success" as a pre‑K–12 framework and called for regular reporting so the community could see progress and gaps quarter‑by‑quarter.

Throughout a short Q&A, candidates were asked about parent and teacher roles and budget implications. Sanchez stressed parents as "your child's first teacher" and community partnerships for cradle‑to‑career supports; Resch said teachers' input is "paramount" and that budget priorities would be aligned to whether a program advances the district's math goal.

Organizers reminded attendees to complete an online survey about the finalists; the survey closes tomorrow at 2 PM and the board said it will review survey results as it moves toward a selection decision.