Dulce High Students Challenge School Board Candidates in Forum

Dulce High School recently hosted a lively candidate forum where students pressed eight individuals vying for positions on the Dulce Independent School District board. This event is part of one of the most competitive races in New Mexico’s local elections, scheduled for November 4, 2023. A total of 11 candidates, including two write-in hopefuls, are competing for three board seats in the district, which serves approximately 500 students, predominantly Indigenous, in northern Rio Arriba County.

The forum, organized by the student council, took place in the high school auditorium in the village of Dulce, situated within the Jicarilla Apache Nation. Students directed pointed questions at the candidates, focusing on critical issues such as attendance, proficiency test scores, funding, and the outflow of talent to larger districts. These challenges resonate throughout rural New Mexico, but they have profoundly impacted this tight-knit community.

“You guys are the future of our community,” said write-in candidate Carley Tafoya, a parent and local resident, as she addressed the engaged audience. Some students, dressed in traditional Jicarilla Apache regalia, listened attentively, with a few even shushing their peers to ensure they could hear the candidates’ responses. Tafoya emphasized the importance of cooperation in rural areas, expressing a desire to bridge the gap between parents and school administration.

After the forum, Ian Gomez, the student council president, reflected on the candidates’ shared commitment to improving the district for both students and teachers. He noted that this sentiment was more striking than any single answer given during the event.

Student council secretary Jazmine Zamora posed a question that highlighted a pressing concern: “Our school district has been struggling with attendance at all three schools. How would you improve this situation?” Candidates acknowledged the high rate of chronic absenteeism, where over half of the students missed 10% or more of class time in the 2023-24 academic year. This figure exceeds the statewide average by over 20 percentage points.

“Attendance goes both ways,” stated candidate Lauren Ninetails, also a parent in the district. She suggested implementing “incentives” to encourage student attendance. In contrast, fellow candidate Teresa Cassador, a Dulce High School alumna, cautioned against reliance on incentives, arguing that education itself should be the primary motivator for students.

Another candidate, Selenarose Hammond, pushed back against blaming students for absenteeism. “If you have a job that you don’t enjoy, you’re not gonna wanna go,” she pointed out, urging for a more engaging educational environment. She further lamented the loss of opportunities in the community, stating, “I wanna make it to where kids wanna stay here.”

Students also expressed concern about the disappearance of art and music programs from their schools. Consuelo “Connie” Gomez, a former board member, noted that these programs were neglected as the focus shifted to improving academic scores. “Somewhere along the way, scores became the emphasis,” she remarked.

Candidate Diana Vigil, also a former board member, emphasized that resources exist but are underutilized. “Under the stage there’s a whole music room with the sound rooms and everything that’s just been sitting there,” she revealed. Others, including Ninetails, criticized the district’s administrative spending as “top-heavy,” advocating for redirecting funds toward student activities and reinvigorating the arts.

The forum featured a contentious discussion about a proposal for the Jicarilla Apache Nation to purchase the elementary school, which would involve moving the district’s youngest students to the middle school. Most candidates expressed neutrality or opposition to this plan. TeCube, an incumbent, stated she voted against the proposal last term, emphasizing concerns about overcrowding and the need for additional classes.

During the forum, candidate Ted Valdez focused on the importance of communication in the community. “There has to be more communication with kids in the community,” he urged, highlighting the need for positive interactions among families and students.

Interim Superintendent Gilbert Martinez, who has served in his role for a few months, pointed to leadership turnover as a significant issue, citing the appointment of 10 principals in the past decade. “Without that consistency, employees feel kinda lost — and without trust,” he explained. Martinez, who began his career in Dulce in 1990, expressed a strong commitment to the district’s improvement.

The forum underscored the critical role of community engagement in shaping the future of education in Dulce. As candidates prepare for the upcoming election, the voices of students and their concerns about the quality of education are poised to influence the district’s direction.