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APS outlines $60M-plus security investments and seven-part safety plan at listening session
Summary
Albuquerque Public Schools leaders told families they have invested more than $60 million in campus hardening and are rolling out seven priority safety areas — from restorative practices to cameras and an integrated crisis-response team — and will pilot metal detectors at stadiums.
Albuquerque Public Schools officials on Monday evening presented a seven-part safety strategy and said the district has invested more than $60 million in campus security infrastructure while responding to community feedback gathered from a recent survey.
The presentation, introduced by Board member Janelle Astorga, highlighted district priorities that include a “culture of care” built on restorative practices, behavior-intervention systems, adult visibility, mental-health supports, bullying response systems, facilities and access control, and drug- and alcohol-prevention efforts. Dr. Antonio Gonzales, Deputy Superintendent for Operations, said 180 people responded to APS’s April survey and staff built the presentation around the most-common themes.
Why it matters: APS officials said the mix of prevention, behavioral supports and physical security is intended to reduce incidents and shorten response times when they occur. “This presentation is directly in response to the feedback that the community — the 180 respondents — gave us,” Gonzales said. He added that the district manages about 5,000 cameras and has invested in fencing, secure vestibules, card access and interior classroom locks.
Key initiatives and timing: Chief Steve Gallegos described an Integrated Support Team (IST) that responds to students in crisis immediately and performs threat assessments and follow-up with families. The district said it is adding technology and partnerships: two APS officers will be assigned to Albuquerque Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center to monitor cameras and speed alerts to APS dispatchers. Officials said federal funds are also being used to upgrade cameras for integration with APD.
On prevention, the counseling department has expanded Crossroads counselors under opioid-settlement funding, and staff said the district will install more than $500,000 in vape detectors in secondary schools to detect vaping and other concerns. Dr. Kenneth Salazar, Associate Superintendent of School Climate, described restorative-practice trainings and ongoing coaching meant to align school-level approaches.
Security technology and pilots: APS said it will pilot metal detectors at stadiums for large events in the 2026–27 school year, not as an automatic schoolwide rollout. Gonzales said the district will test technology at events, solicit feedback from teachers, safety staff and families, and consider broader deployment only after review.
Community questions and next steps: The board turned to audience-submitted questions about implementation consistency, consequences for students who bring weapons to campus, cyberbullying detection on APS-managed domains, and how to balance secure campuses with welcoming access. Gonzales said the district has completed three days of DHS/FEMA training on response, reunification and recovery and is refining incident-communication protocols so families receive timely, accurate updates.
The board framed school safety as a shared responsibility. Astorga closed by urging families to keep contact information current, report concerns and stay engaged through school meetings and district forums. The listening session will be followed by additional community sessions to gather further feedback and refine district plans.
