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Community member urges Rio Rancho schools to reconsider volunteer ban for people with felony records
Summary
At the Dec. 8 board meeting, Andrew Antonian said he was denied volunteer approval because of a past felony and asked the district to adopt supervised volunteer pathways for people cleared by state agencies to expand community involvement.
Andrew Antonian addressed the Rio Rancho Public Schools Board of Education during public comment on Dec. 8, saying he was denied permission to volunteer with district schools because of a felony conviction from many years ago.
Antonian said he has taken accountability, is in sustained recovery, works in behavioral health, speaks at schools and events, and wants to participate in field trips with his stepdaughter and otherwise support students. He described other New Mexico districts that offer supervised or tiered volunteer pathways for individuals cleared by state agencies and urged Rio Rancho Public Schools to consider similar structures so rehabilitated community members can contribute.
The board chair thanked Antonian for his remarks and noted the district accepts both in-person and online comments; no board action on volunteer policy was taken at the meeting.
Quote: "Volunteers do not carry the same responsibilities or authority, and yet they're being evaluated as if they do," Antonian told the board, urging the board to "lead with fairness" and restore opportunities for people who have pursued recovery and service.
The board did not vote or direct staff to take immediate action on volunteer policy during the meeting.
