SW New Mexico News

Three finalists have been selected by the Las Cruces Public Schools (LCPS) Board of Education to compete for the position of Superintendent. The decision followed two days of in-person interviews over the weekend. The candidates are Dr. Debra Elder, Monica Mesa, and Ignacio Ruíz.

The next step in the selection process is a public forum scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 22, at the Performing Arts Center at Organ Mountain High School. This event will be broadcast live and will offer Spanish translation services via Zoom. It will consist of a moderated question-and-answer session based on input from the Superintendent Search Committee, which includes students, parents, teachers, administrators, and community members.

Following the forum, there will be an opportunity for attendees to meet with the candidates briefly. The Board of Education plans to conduct final interviews with each candidate between June 28-30. A special board meeting is set for Saturday, July 1 at 10 a.m., where an announcement regarding the new superintendent may be made. However, as per the Superintendent Search Plan, adjustments to this timeline can be made by the board president if necessary.

Dr. Debra Elder currently serves as interim superintendent at Los Lunas Schools (LLS). She joined LLS in 2021 as Chief Academic Officer of Instruction, Accountability and Innovation. Her previous roles include leading Albuquerque Public Schools' Office of Innovation and School Choice.

Monica Mesa has a career spanning 31 years in education and presently oversees 26 elementary schools as Assistant Superintendent in Mesa Public Schools in Arizona. Her background includes roles such as assistant principal and university instructor.

Ignacio Ruíz works as an assistant superintendent for Clark County School District in Nevada. He has experience in various leadership positions including Director of Language Acquisition for Tucson Unified School District.

For more updates on this search process visit LCPS's website.