Las Cruces Public Schools recently hosted Alec Greenwald and members of the North Carolina Community Schools Coalition, which included representatives from Duke University and North Carolina Central University. The visit focused on examining how the community schools model operates within the district.
The group was joined by Superintendent Ruiz, other district leaders, Senator Bill Soules, Representative Raymundo Lara, coordinators for community schools, and partners from New Mexico State University. Together, they participated in discussions about best practices for building effective partnerships and sustaining successful school environments.
Johnny Rivera, LCPS Community School Manager for Federal Programs, emphasized the importance of coordinators in these efforts. “The community school coordinator is really the changemaker,” said Rivera. “They’re the facilitator in these spaces, ensuring our students and families are truly connected to the campus. They’re not just recipients of services; they’re active participants in the school community. To me, it’s the coordinator who drives this work and does the heavy lifting on our campuses.”
Dr. Rachel Boren from New Mexico State University contributed insights based on data collected over several years. She highlighted that partnerships like those at LCPS help address challenges such as chronic absenteeism by using data to identify resources that support attendance and academic performance in areas like math and literacy.
The approach at Las Cruces Public Schools involves collaborative leadership where principals, site-based teams, and coordinators all have a voice in decision-making processes. This has led to increased student engagement, better attendance rates, academic progress, social development, stronger family involvement, and healthier school communities.
LCPS states its mission is to empower students, families, and communities through a supportive environment that fosters growth for everyone involved. The district’s community schools bring together educators, parents, local organizations, government agencies, and health services to provide comprehensive support for students and their families.
