Independence High School reports rising graduation rates as new campus advances

President Galbraith opened the board’s reports Monday with a presentation on Independence High School, an alternative campus serving students who enter the district behind on credits. Renee Salcedo, the district’s secondary school improvement officer, introduced principal Jessica Sanchez, who framed Independence as a “smaller, more personalized learning environment” focused on second chances and helping students graduate.

Sanchez said the school expanded mental‑health services, Saturday school and elective options to boost engagement and support students who had fallen behind. “We know every student that walks through that door,” she told the board, adding that teachers “are coaches” who work closely with students.

Sanchez and district staff noted measurable progress in graduation outcomes. The presentation cited a recent improvement from roughly 50 percent toward a cohort figure near 64 percent — and the school’s five‑year graduation rate at about 83 percent. Salcedo and others warned that federal and state accountability rules, which use a four‑year cohort definition, make it difficult for late‑entry alternative‑school students to show gains on that metric, and said that some districts advocate a five‑year cohort for alternatives.

The report also outlined supports and monitoring from the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED). Salcedo said NMPED assigns mentors and conducts repeated, in‑depth visits — and that the department will release restructuring, restart and closure application materials for MRI‑designated schools in March; Independence staff said they are preparing proactively.

Facilities staff gave a separate update on the new Independence campus, which is under construction on Northern Boulevard. Executive director of facilities Patrick Martinez said the district recently finalized a guaranteed maximum price of $33,800,000 and that the design includes an auditorium and gym the district sought to preserve. Martinez said the project uses a construction‑manager‑at‑risk approach and is scheduled to open in August 2027.

Board members praised the school’s work and asked about next steps and statewide designation rules. Trustee comments emphasized the district’s commitment to programs that keep students on track to graduate and the need to continue community and state advocacy on cohort rules.

The board did not take additional formal action on the Independence presentation Monday; staff said they will return with follow‑up items and continue work with NMPED on any application materials.