SW New Mexico News

Las Cruces Public Schools is set to host a public forum for the three finalists vying for the position of Superintendent of Schools. The event is scheduled for Thursday, June 22 at 5:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Organ Mountain High School.

The community is invited to attend, with doors opening at 5 p.m. Attendees are advised to park in the west parking lot off Mesa Grande Drive and enter through the north-facing or west entrance doors. The forum will feature opening statements from each candidate, followed by a 150-minute moderated question and answer session, concluding with closing statements. A meet and greet session will follow in the Commons area at Organ Mountain High School.

Translation services will be available on-site and via Zoom, and the event will be broadcast live for those unable to attend.

The candidates include Dr. Debra Elder, currently interim superintendent at Los Lunas Schools; Monica Mesa, Assistant Superintendent of East Elementary Schools in Mesa Public Schools; and Ignacio Ruíz, assistant superintendent for Clark County School District in Nevada.

Dr. Elder joined Los Lunas Schools in 2021 as Chief Academic Officer and has previously worked with Albuquerque Public Schools. She holds degrees from the University of New Mexico and a Doctorate from the University of Southern California.

Monica Mesa has been an educator for 31 years and oversees 26 elementary schools in Arizona's largest school district. She has held various educational roles and is pursuing a doctoral degree from Northern Arizona University.

Ignacio Ruíz serves as assistant superintendent in one of the nation's largest school districts and has experience as Director of Language Acquisition with Tucson Unified School District. He is affiliated with ALAS National Superintendent Academy and Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy.

Stay informed about the Las Cruces Public Schools superintendent search online.