Posted at 5:38 PM MT on June 1, 2021
LAS CRUCES – After making their final decisions in a closed-door executive session, members of the Las Cruces Public Schools Education Council announced that Ralph Ramos will be the new permanent superintendent for the district.
Ramos, who served as the interim superintendent, said he wanted to thank the community and asked for continued support from the podium during the in-person school board meeting on Tuesday, June 1.
âIt’s not about me, it’s about the team we have here at LCPS,â Ramos said after the motion was passed. “I know we have a lot of work together. I know we are going to do it. I know you will be proud of the Las Cruces public schools and all that we continue to do for the students.”
LCPS Superintendent Karen Trujillo died after being struck by a vehicle on February 25. She had been LCPS superintendent for a year and a half before her sudden passing.
Ramos took over as acting superintendent on March 1 as the school board sought a permanent replacement.
Ramos and Oscar Rico, executive director of information technology for the Canutillo Independent School District, were named finalists for the position on May 24 and participated in a community forum a few days later.
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The council was advised by the Superintendent Search Advisory Committee – a group of eight members of parents, LCPS staff, community members, and a student – in making their selection.
At Tuesday’s meeting, school board member Terrie Dallman asked for a one-week extension to appoint a superintendent, but her motion met with no support.
Dallman was the only dissenting voice in a 4-1 vote to name Ramos the superintendent.
Ramos will begin as permanent superintendent on Wednesday, June 2, and his contract will run until June 30, 2023.
Board chair Ray Jaramillo called on the community to give Ramos a chance, as well as hold Ramos and the board members accountable.
Ramos graduated from New Mexico State University with his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, then began his 28-year career with LCPS in 1992 as an eighth-grade science teacher at Picacho Middle School. In 2000, he moved to Sierra Middle School where he was quickly appointed deputy principal. In 2006, he was appointed Deputy Principal of Vista Middle School.
Before Ramos became the Acting Superintendent, he spent 12 years as Principal of Camino Real Middle School.
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“I am a state employee, I work for the Las Cruces public schools,” Ramos told the Sun-News at the start of his acting position. “If this is where you need me, I’m ready to serve our community. And that’s pretty much the trend of my career.”
During the May 26 virtual forum, Ramos said he intends to make the voices of students heard and their opinions on their learning heard, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.
âWe also need the voice of the students at the table,â Ramos said. âFor me, it’s about transforming our communication – not only with students, but also with adults. That’s what I bring to the table. Because, if you look at my story and my leadership in n ‘No matter what school I’ve been to, it’s all about the number of characters, and it starts with the students. “
Miranda Cyr, a member of the Report for America Corps, can be contacted at [email protected] or @mirandabcyr on Twitter. Show your support for the Report for America program at https://bit.ly/LCSNRFA.
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