Dulce High Students Challenge Candidates in Competitive School Board Race

Dulce High School hosted a lively forum where students directly questioned candidates competing for three school board positions in the upcoming election on November 4, 2023. A total of eight candidates participated in the event, addressing critical issues facing the Dulce Independent School District, which serves approximately 500 students, predominantly Indigenous, in far northern Rio Arriba County, New Mexico.

The student-led initiative attracted a significant audience to the high school auditorium in the village of Dulce, situated within the Jicarilla Apache Nation. During the forum, students raised concerns about attendance rates, proficiency test scores, funding, and the ongoing challenge of retaining talent in a rural community.

Carley Tafoya, a write-in candidate and local parent, emphasized the importance of community collaboration, stating, “In a rural community, we all need to learn to work together.” Her sentiment resonated with student council President Ian Gomez, who noted that all candidates shared a common goal: improving the district for students and teachers alike.

Attendance emerged as a prominent topic of discussion. Student council Secretary Jazmine Zamora asked candidates how they would address chronic absenteeism, which currently affects more than half of the district’s students. This rate is over 20 percentage points higher than the statewide average. Candidate Lauren Ninetails, also a parent, acknowledged that improving attendance requires a collective effort from both students and their families, suggesting potential incentives to encourage regular attendance.

In contrast, write-in candidate Teresa Cassador cautioned against relying on incentives. “You’re not always gonna get rewarded with an incentive,” she explained. “Their incentive is getting an education.” Another candidate, Selenarose Hammond, argued that the school environment itself must be engaging for students to want to attend. “If we don’t make school entertaining and our staff isn’t happy to be here, why should we think our kids are gonna be here?” she posed, advocating for a return to a more vibrant school culture.

The absence of art and music programs from the curriculum was another key issue raised. Student Consuelo “Connie” Gomez, a former school board member, lamented the loss of these programs, attributing it to an increased focus on test scores. “Somewhere along the way, scores became the emphasis,” she remarked. Candidate Diana Vigil highlighted the existence of an unused music room beneath the stage, emphasizing the need to revive these critical programs.

In discussing administrative spending, several candidates expressed a need to reevaluate resource allocation. Incumbent Annette TeCube suggested that unnecessary administrative positions should be eliminated to redirect funds toward student activities. “We need to bring up players’ morale,” she stated.

The most contentious issue of the evening revolved around a proposal for the Jicarilla Apache Nation to purchase the elementary school and relocate the district’s youngest students to the middle school. Most candidates expressed neutrality or opposition to this consolidation plan, emphasizing concerns about overcrowding and its potential impact on educational quality.

Candidate Ted Valdez used his platform to encourage open communication, urging students to foster connections within their community. “There has to be more communication with kids in the community,” he said, advocating for a supportive environment.

Interim Superintendent Gilbert Martinez highlighted the challenges of leadership turnover within the district, noting that there have been ten principals in the last decade. “Without that consistency, employees feel kinda lost — and without trust,” he stated, explaining that fostering a stable leadership team is critical for the district’s success.

As the forum concluded, it was clear that the candidates and students are eager for change and improvement within the Dulce Independent School District, underscoring the importance of community engagement in shaping the future of education in this remote area.