District launches family‑stabilization pilot and a guaranteed‑payment attendance pilot; officials report early results
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Summary
LCPS described implementation of two state‑funded pilots: a $1.4 million family stabilization program providing flex funding and navigation services (135 referrals, 100 qualified so far) and a Guaranteed Payment for Attendance pilot delivering monthly $500 stipends to participating high‑school students; staff highlighted partnerships and early attendance gains.
Las Cruces Public Schools presented multi‑department updates on two state‑funded pilot programs intended to reduce barriers to student attendance and stabilize families.
Dr. Lozano described the family stabilization pilot: the district was allotted $1,400,000 for full implementation beginning January 2026 and has used a request‑for‑proposal process to engage the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico as fiscal agent for flex funding. The district hired three full‑time navigators and uses a SharePoint intake system; as of late February staff reported about 135 referrals and 100 qualified families. Examples of assistance include paying off eviction debt, replacing or repairing stoves, installing small water heaters, and providing furniture; individual supports reported so far have ranged from roughly $1,000 up to $8,000 depending on need.
Carla Reagan described operational details: the Community Foundation manages roughly $932,800 of the district’s flex funds to pay vendors directly; navigators coordinate intake, vetting, and receipt collection so no cash is given directly to families. The district plans to prioritize families it can reasonably stabilize by the grant’s end (June 2026) and coordinate handoffs to community partners such as Tresco for longer‑term case management.
District staff also updated the board on a separate Guaranteed Payment for Attendance (GPA) pilot coordinated through PED and regional partners. The GPA pilot is a three‑year program; LCPS was among the first districts to implement it and, in the current year, the district placed 28 Mayfield High School students in the program. Participating students receive $500 monthly stipends tied to attendance check‑ins; staff reported 24 of 28 students meeting the 92% attendance target, with individualized supports or compassionate exemptions applied where appropriate.
Board members praised the rapid implementation, asked about program sustainability after the grant period, and suggested tracking longitudinal outcomes to support future legislative advocacy. Staff said they will monitor attendance and other outcomes and coordinate with Highlands University and PED on an end‑of‑program evaluation.