Robert Wofford

Nonpartisan

One of our board’s main areas of focus is on chronic absenteeism. We need to continue to address the learning gap and the greater emotional and social toll which this pandemic has placed on Las Cruces. Resources like our Family Support Center and programs like Community Schools which integrate health and social needs into the schools involve parents, students, and educators to address multiple factors which keep our students from doing their best in school.

We are in the process of implementing entry-point screening in our middle schools and high schools to help make students safe at school. Though certainly not without problems in its rollout, the Evolv Weapons Detection Systems will provide another layer of security. Also, our K-5 and 6-12 schools are now more secure through remodeling of locking vestibules at each school’s entry.

With the threat of withholding funds from states and school districts, the Department of Education has created a difficult budgeting situation, and I anticipate that we may likely face significant cuts to our budget in the next years. The decisions we make as a school board will be both very difficult and critical, and though I do not look forward to cuts, I will work hard to make sure that they are least disruptive to our students’ education.

About three quarters of our students are in danger of going without nutrition, so providing meals at schools is essential. Some students require extra supports since they are English Language Learners. We need to address multiple needs of disadvantaged students and families and recognize that our community and schools and stronger when we empower educators.

If we are to attract the best candidates into teaching, we need to increase pay. We have made great improvements in educator’s salaries in the past four years, but more needs to be done.

Those who would ban books from our schools’ libraries have not been successful, and they will not chip away at our students’ rights to access appropriate reading materials on my watch. If a parent does not wish their child to have access to specific materials in our libraries, then parental safeguards for preventing such access are now and will continue to be in place.

We should follow health professional’s guidelines to provide a healthy school environment, including testing and vaccination. All students, staff, and teachers deserve a safe place to learn and work. Science should govern our decisions regarding healthy places to learn.

Career and technical education (CTE) is greatly needed in our schools, so that students see a connection between their academic classes and their future careers. CTE Programs connect students with career pathways and dual credit options, which can open doors for students which they might otherwise not realize are possibilities.