The New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) will host a series of 12 community meetings throughout August, seeking public feedback to guide the state’s remedial action plan required by the Yazzie/Martinez court ruling.
The meetings respond directly to an April decision by First Judicial District Court Judge Matthew Wilson, who concluded New Mexico has not adequately provided equitable education to Native American students, English learners, students with disabilities, and low-income children. PED is required to submit a draft of this action plan by October 1, with the final version due by November 3.
Earlier this month, PED achieved its first milestone by selecting the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) Foundation as its expert partner to assist in formulating the action plan.
Gwen Perea Warniment, President and CEO of the LANL Foundation, pledged a “transparent, trustworthy, and inclusive” planning process reflective of community needs statewide.
Warniment emphasized that students, families, tribal governments, educators, and advocates would all play vital roles in shaping a plan informed by their lived experiences.
Loretta Trujillo, Executive Director of Transform Education NM, expressed satisfaction with PED’s current progress, highlighting the department’s collaborative approach.
“They’ve invited organizations deeply connected to communities,” Trujillo said.
She also praised the active inclusion of students in planning discussions over the past 18 months, underscoring the necessity of a cohesive, long-term vision rather than piecemeal solutions.
Community meetings will occur in the following locations:
August 5: Farmington, Española, Las Cruces
August 6: Raton
August 7: Santa Fe, Mescalero, Clovis
August 14: Silver City, Zuni, Carlsbad
August 20: Albuquerque
August 26: Virtual Statewide Meeting
These meetings are free and open to all. PED will offer childcare, meals, and interpretation services in Spanish and American Sign Language to encourage broad community participation.
PED has stated that the final plan will address five core areas: access to high-quality instruction; culturally and linguistically informed educators; academic and behavioral support services; equitable funding; and accountability systems, all court-mandated components of the Yazzie/Martinez action framework.