For Immediate Release September 20, 2016 Contact: Jeff Gephart 505-470-6197 [email protected]

Santa Fe Public Schools Board of Education Offers Dr. Garcia Superintendent Position Santa Fe, NM: At the Board of Education meeting on September 20, 2016, the Santa Fe Public Schools (SFPS) Board of Education voted 5-0 in favor of offering interim superintendent Dr. Veronica C. Garcia the permanent superintendent position. Dr. Garcia accepted the offer. In a prepared statement, Dr. Garcia said, “I am honored, humbled and thrilled to have this opportunity to serve as Superintendent of a progressive and innovative school district like the Santa Fe Public Schools. The staff and community have warmly welcomed me and I'm excited to take on the duties without the limitations of an interim superintendent. We will put our focus on teaching and learning, it's at the heart of what we do. All of our district’s functions and processes should be of support not an impediment to what happens in the classroom. I believe we must continue to work on educating the whole child and ensure that our students are receiving a well-rounded education to prepare all students for a future that today we can't even begin to imagine. We must actively engage our families and community stakeholders in the education of the children of this community, the District can't do it alone. Lastly, but importantly, we need to make sure that we support and value our employees. They are the glue that holds SFPS together. Collectively, I am confident we will be a flagship school district for New Mexico and the Nation. Our students deserve our very best effort. I thank the Board of Education for this amazing opportunity to serve. Santa Fe Public Schools, there IS a lot to love!” Board President Susan Duncan explained the Board initially made Dr. Garcia the interim superintendent because they did not have sufficient time to make a decision concerning the permanent position in June when the previous superintendent resigned. However, she explained she now believes it is the time to make Dr. Garcia the permanent superintendent when she stated, “We have moved on from that crisis moment and we have someone with tremendous experience who has done a tremendous job in just a few weeks.” Board Member Seven J. Carrillo supported the move because he believes the superintendent must be free to work without the constraints of the interim status. He stated, “The superintendent has to be able to, without the constraints of the interim moniker if you will, to also take decisive action relative to our proficiency scores in the district, to do what’s best for kids.” Board Member Linda Trujillo stated, “I’ve watched Dr. Garcia over the course of the last few months really take hold of this district and be in a position as if she has not missed a beat.” She went on to state, while speaking directly to Dr. Garcia, “I have great confidence in the skills you bring to this.”

Educational Services Center 610 Alta Vista, Santa Fe, NM 87505 Telephone (505) 467-2000 www.sfps.info Veronica C. Garcia, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools

Other Board Members spoke directly to Dr. Garcia during the meeting as well. Board Member Lorraine Price, who previously worked under Dr. Garcia as an assistant principal, said, “You listen to people very intently. And I don’t know where you get your energy from…it has been great working with you again.” Board Member Maureen Cashmon, while speaking to Dr. Garcia, stated, “I’ve talked with members of the public that have children in Santa Fe Schools, and do not have children in Santa Fe Schools. Overwhelmingly I think what people have said is that you have listened and you have started to bring back some humanity to Santa Fe Public Schools.” Dr. Garcia’s contract as interim superintendent began on August 15, 2016, and was scheduled to end no sooner than February 15, 2017, and no later than June 30, 2017, at an annualized rate of $180,000. Dr. Garcia’s contract as superintendent will continue at an annualized rate of $180,000, but is now set to expire in June of 2018. Dr. Garcia served as the Superintendent of Santa Fe Public Schools from 1999-2002. During her tenure, the District transformed a $2.6 million deficit into a $2.4 million cash balance. She also served as the first confirmed Secretary of Education for the State of New Mexico from 2003-2010. Under her leadership, New Mexico garnered top rankings for school reform, accountability systems, increased teacher quality, data quality, health and wellness policies, parental involvement, and college and career readiness.

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Educational Services Center 610 Alta Vista, Santa Fe, NM 87505 Telephone (505) 467-2000 www.sfps.info Veronica C. Garcia, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools