Four seek District 5 seat

Maria Pacheco

Ed Frank

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There are four candidates running for the District Five board position of Las Cruces Public Schools: Incumbent Ed Frank, Maria Pacheco, Gloria Martinez and Carol Lynn Cooper. We have previously run info on Martinez, and below are profiles and reports on Frank and Pacheco.

We have received no information from Cooper, but you can learn about her and other candidates in the League of Women Voters of Southern New Mexico Voter’s Guide published in the Bulletin Oct. 5. You can access that edition in the Bulletin archives at www.lascrucesbulletin.com.

ED FRANK

“I am running for re-election because I believe during this period of transition, there needs to be continuity on the Board,” said District Five incumbent Ed Frank. “LCPS is headed in the right direction, with the highest graduation rate in the state (for districts with more than one high school), decreased standardized testing, elimination of a punitive teacher evaluation system, higher teacher salaries, smaller class sizes.”

Frank said every LCPS financial report is available for the public to see, in a very transparent way. He said he is proud of the work being done and feels the first priority of a board member is to support the people in the schools – students, teachers, support staff, administrators. “ As a retired teacher, with 39 years’ experience working in a classroom setting, I reach board decisions with the perspective and care that our students deserve.”

He also received the recommendation from the National Education Association of Las Cruces for the District Five seat. — Bulletin report

MARIA PACHECO

“I am a business owner and avid community volunteer,” Pacheco said. “I have been married to Steve Pacheco, an engineer for the City of Las Cruces, and have made Las Cruces my home for the past 25 years. Our son, Gabriel is a graduate of Centennial High School. My family and I are all children of public education and know the value it brings and how strong it can influence the person you aspire to be.”

For more than 25 years, Pacheco said, she has dedicated herself to service of others and the last 16 years to the students and teachers of the LCPS, specifically. She has served on the boards of LCPS Foundation, Junior League of Las Cruces, First Step Women’s & Children’s Health Clinic, PTOs, school advisory councils and booster committees. “My involvement with these organizations has helped raise over $750,000 for the students and teachers,” she said. “I am running because there is a lack of communication and transparency with the most recent LCPS administration and the current school board. I believe that decisions being made do not take into account the needs of all students, teacher and stakeholders. I also feel that the fiscal responsibilities that are tasked of the school board are not being fulfilled. If elected, I plan to utilize my experience of organization, development and collaboration to encourage a new level of leadership that promotes transparency and fiscal accountability between the school board, LCPS District and our community.” — Bulletin report.