SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — An expert in professional development for teachers from Las Cruces has been named as New Mexico's secretary of public education as the state grapples with a court order to increase school resources for struggling children from minority and low-income families.
The appointment of New Mexico State University dean and research director Karen Trujillo as Cabinet secretary was announced Thursday. Trujillo is also a newly elected Doña Ana County Commissioner. The Governor will be tasked to appoint a replacement for Trujillo on the Commission. A new Commission Chair will be elected by the Board, since Trujillo had recently been chosen by her colleagues for that post.
Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is installing a leadership team at the Public Education Department that includes specialists in Native American education and out-of-state expertise.
Newly appointed Deputy secretaries including Kara Bobroff. She is the leader of an Albuquerque-based support group for schools in Native American communities.
University of California Professor Pedro Noguera will serve as a special adviser to the secretary.