Community invited to Las Cruces Public Schools' redistricting town hall meetings
Nov 09, 2024
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Parents and the community are invited to town hall meetings for the redistricting of Las Cruces Public Schools (LCPS) to help balance school populations with a new elementary school, the district said.
The first of three town hall meetings will happen at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14 in the Commons of Organ Moutain High School, located at 5700 Mesa Grande Dr.
LCPS said in a news release, "The proposed changes coincide with the opening of the new Columbia Elementary School and are designed to balance school populations and overcrowding in the district's East Mesa schools. Redistricting could also help bolster enrollment at Mayfield High School."
The discussions will be led by LCPS Superintendent Ignacio Ruiz and the district's contracted consultant, Colleen Martinez.
According to LCPS, spearheading the redistricting plan is the district's Chief of Student Services and Community Relations Sherly O'Brien.
O'Brien has brought together a community volunteer group to serve on the Redistricting Advisory Committee that represents students, parents and teachers from all four LCPS feeder patterns, according to LCPS.
12 parents to help redistrict LCPS campuses
The following dates are the other scheduled town meetings for the redistricting plan:
Nov. 14: Town Hall meeting at Organ Mountain High School, 5:30 p.m.
Nov. 15: LCPS Board of Education extended work session, including a presentation and discussion of proposed zone changes.
Nov. 19: LCPS Board of Education regular meeting, including a presentation and discussion of proposed zone changes.
Nov. 20, 2024: Town Hall meeting at Mayfield High School, 5:30 p.m.
Nov. 21 – Dec. 10, 2024: Stakeholder survey will be open.
Dec. 5, 2024: Town Hall meeting for Spanish-speaking families at the Dr. Karen M. Trujillo Administration Complex, 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 17, 2024: LCPS Board of Education meeting, including a final presentation and a potential vote on adopting new school attendance zones.
LCPS said any permanent school zone changes could be voted on by the Board of Education during their meeting on Dec. 17.
"The process of redistricting is outlined in Policy JCAA, which gives the Board of Education authority to alter geographic attendance zones based on the opening of new schools or shifts in population," LCPS said.
For the outline of the redistricting plan or updates, you can visit LCPS's website here.