SW New Mexico News

The Las Cruces Public Schools Board of Education has unanimously approved new attendance zones for elementary, middle, and high school students. The decision came after extensive collaboration with the Redistricting Advisory Committee, principals, parents, students, and school communities.

The board adopted Option 1 for elementary schools, Option 3 for middle schools, and a revised Option 3 for high schools. The changes will affect approximately 500 elementary students, 273 middle school students, and 683 high school students. Overall, less than seven percent of the LCPS student population will be impacted by the redistricting.

During the meeting on Tuesday night, board members emphasized that siblings should not be separated between zones. They also discussed monitoring transfer policies and allowing certain grade levels to remain at their current schools despite the new zoning.

The redistricting aims to address issues such as overcrowding in East Mesa schools and balancing enrollment at comprehensive high schools. It also considers demographic shifts across the district. Colleen Martinez led the demographic research and mapping efforts.

In August, public participation was solicited for the Redistricting Advisory Committee. The committee studied demographic shifts and provided recommendations on zone changes and student transfer policies.

Next steps include geo-coding student addresses according to the new zones. Letters will be sent to all students indicating their zoned school and instructions on transfers if needed. Micro-adjustments may occur if new housing developments cause unexpected spikes in school populations.

LCPS Superintendent Ignacio Ruiz stated that adjustments could affect incoming kindergarten, sixth or ninth-grade students to minimize district impact. Sherley O’Brien, LCPS Chief of Student Services and Community Relations, expressed gratitude for those involved in the process.

The updated attendance zones will take effect in the 2025-2026 school year.