LCPS Board of Education accepting applications for District 2 board vacancy

The Las Cruces Public Schools Board of Education has approved a plan to fill the school board seat representing District 2 that was vacated when board member Terrie Dallman resigned, LCPS said in a news release.

In a special meeting held Monday, June 7, the board voted to begin accepting applications for the seat beginning June 8.

Interested applicants have until 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 22, to submit a letter describing the applicant’s interest in filling the position and why they are a good candidate, a copy of the applicant’s voter registration card and a completed, notarized declaration of interest, LCPS said.

Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, a registered voter and must physically reside in District 2, which includes most of central Las Cruces, stretching west to a portion of Fairacres and south to Pajaro Road. A copy of the district map can be found at www.lcps.net/board-of-education/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2019/05/LCPS-District2.pdf. 

In addition to legal qualifications, an appointed board member must commit to attend regular sessions, work sessions and special board meetings when called and attend other board and committee meetings, the news release said. 

Candidates will be part of a special board meeting that will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 6, at Las Cruces High School, during which LCPS board members Ray Jaramillo, Maria Flores, Teresa Tenorio and Carol Cooper will interview the candidates and discuss the commitment and responsibilities of the District 2 board member. The final candidate selection made that same day, following the special meeting, with the new District 2 board member sworn in at that time, LCPS said. 

The appointed board member will fulfill the remainder of Dallman’s term, which expires Jan. 1, 2022. Three LCPS Board of Education seats, including District 2, will be on the Tuesday, Nov. 2, combined local ballot.

Dallman resigned, following the board’s June 1 appointment of Ralph Ramos as the district’s permanent superintendent. Dallman was the only board member to vote against Ramos’ selection as permanent superintendent. Ramos was named interim superintendent March 1, following the Feb. 25 death of Superintendent Karen Trujillo.

In a text to the Bulletin, Dallman said, “I’m choosing to let the legal process play out. I do wish the new board good luck.” She declined further comment.

The last LCPs board vacancy occurred in 2010 when then incumbent Serena Shoop resigned. Shoop had been elected in District 2 in 2009. The LCPs board appointed Barbara Hall as her replacement. Hall completed the remainder of Shoop’s unexpired term and was elected to a full four-year term on the board in 2013, running without opposition. Hall did not seek re-election in 2016, when Dallman was elected to the seat, defeating three opponents.

Dallman was a bilingual teacher for 17 years at Zia Middle School and three LCPS elementary schools before retiring in 2015.

Application packets for the current District 2 vacancy can be picked up at the security desk inside the Dr. Karen M. Trujillo Administration Complex, 505 S. Main St. Complete application packets can be mailed or hand delivered to LCPS Chief of Staff Sean Barham, Las Cruces Public Schools, 505 S. Main St. Suite 249, Las Cruces, N.M. 88001. Application materials can also be downloaded at www.lcps.net.

For more information, call 575-527-5805.