Pamela Cort, LCPS School Board, Dist. 2 candidate

What do you see as the top infrastructure needs for the district? 

The building I feel that has the most need is Mayfield High School. That’s why passing the GO Bond in the November election is so important because it will help with the funds we need to renovate the school. We also need to make sure our older schools are in good shape. LCPS has an infrastructure plan which prioritizes the needs of all the schools in the district. I trust LCPS to make sure all our schools are safe and healthy places for students to learn. 

 What would you do to help make sure each campus is safe for kids to go to school ?

LCPS currently has many newly implemented safety procedures for the safety of our children. The Verkada check-in system is in place in every school in the district. The system requires people to scan their ID before they enter the main part of the building. All the middle and high schools have weapon detection systems, and every person must go through them before being allowed access to the building. The Board also has many policies addressing safety, including Policy JB, Access to Education and Protections for Immigrant Students. Safety is one of my highest priorities, because if students do not feel safe they cannot learn. 

 What policies or programs would you support to address bullying and cyberbullying in the district? 

LCPS currently has a policy and regulation for this issue. Policy JICFA (Bullying, Cyberbullying, Racialized Aggression, and Harassment) defines different types of bullying, our stance on progressive discipline, as well as reporting and investigating acts of abuse. It is a strong policy that addresses many issues, but I would support any new ideas on how to combat bullying. 

 What are some new classes or changes to curriculum that you would like to see? 

Creating and implementing curriculum is not under the purview of the Board. The state recently allowed local boards to choose a required class for graduation. Our board decided it was important for students to have a choice in what they felt was important so, with student feedback, we added financial literacy and media literacy. 

 What are some of your top priorities when it comes to creating a budget? 

When creating a budget, my priority is (and will remain) that most of the money goes to the classroom. Currently, 98 percent of the LCPS budget goes toward teaching and learning, with 77 percent directly supporting teachers and educational assistants.  

LCPS has a year-round budget process which allows the community to understand how the money is spent and why. This makes our budget process very transparent, and I will continue this practice. 

 Can you provide us with a quick bio which includes your age and current job/ job prior to taking office? 

I was a classroom teacher for 31 years. I started teaching in Albuquerque at West Mesa High School, but spent the majority of my career (26 years) at Las Cruces High School where I taught all levels of French. I was named the Las Cruces District Teacher of the Year in 2012 and the New Mexico Teacher of the Year in 2013. I retired from teaching in 2019. I was appointed to the LCPS School Board in June of 2021 and won the seat for District 2 in the November 2021 election. I currently serve as president of the Board. 

I am 64 years old and have lived in Las Cruces since 1991. Both of my children attended and graduated from LCPS schools. I earned my BA in French from Washington State University, my MA in curriculum and instruction from New Mexico State University, and my Ed.S in curriculum, instruction, and assessment from Walden University. 

For more information, please visit my website: pamelacortforlcps2.com 

 Why are you running? 

I am running for District 2 to continue the great work the Board has started. I believe that EVERY child deserves a quality education where they feel safe, heard, and valued for who they are. As a classroom teacher for 31 years, I learned firsthand what our students, teachers, and families need to succeed. I want to continue to advocate for students and to build a stronger, more resilient school district. 

 What do you think are the biggest challenges facing Las Cruces Public Schools? 

I feel the biggest challenge facing LCPS is attendance. We have decreased our chronic absenteeism in the district, but about 30 percent of our students are missing 10 percent or more of their classes. 

What do you hope to do to address these issues? 

LCPS is doing many great things to get kids to school, which are the things I would do and will continue to do if reelected. Our attendance team checks in with students who are absent often. They do home visits, calls, and wellness checks that help the district to understand why they are not coming to school. When we address the root cause we can solve the problem more efficiently. LCPS has also created a purposeful curriculum so that students are engaged in their learning and understand why they are learning subjects. We do this through project-based learning, career and technical education, and creating community partnerships. All these things have helped give students a great reason for coming to school and to graduate and are programs I will advocate for while serving on the Board for the next four years.