Ralph Ramos will officially take over as Superintendent for Las Cruces Public Schools, following a 4-1 vote by the LCPS Board of Education. Ramos, who has been acting as interim superintendent since March 1, says he will work to ensure continued improvement within the district.
“It's not about myself, it's about the team that we have with LCPS here…I know we have a lot of work together,” Ramos said. “I know we're going to do it. I know that you will be proud of Las Cruces Public Schools and everything we continue doing for students.”
School Board Member Terrie Dallman was the only one to vote no, advocating for more transparency in the selection process. She made a motion during the work session to hold a special informational meeting but could not garner support from the rest of the board.
“I'm asking for the consideration to postpone this particular [item],” Dallman said. “Allow the Superintendent Search Committee to come together and present their findings or their recommendations, so that the community can hear from the search committee.”
Ultimately, the board offered Ramos $180,000, $10,000 more than predecessor Dr. Karen Trujillo’s starting salary. Ramos brings 28 years of experience within the LCPS community to the job, working as both a teacher and administrator. He says he understands the learning challenges the pandemic has created for students and is working with LCPS staff to address concerns.
“We need to come together after this pandemic. To do what’s right for kids is not easy, but we’re going to do it,” Ramos said. “I’ve learned so much in this short time I’ve been here. We've missed out through the pandemic, all these different things that have happened, and we’ve got to bring it together and fine-tune it. We're going to do what's best for our kids. School board members, thank you so much again for your confidence. It's time to get to work.”
School Board President Ray Jaramillo acknowledges the search for a superintendent was done quickly, saying that finding a permanent leader to oversee pandemic related challenges took priority.
“This superintendent search was very speedy. I believe, 45-50 days, something like that. I think one of the most important things, for me anyway, was that we had a leader in a position to begin our next school year —probably the most important school year, that I can remember in my 46 years being on this earth, following a COVID pandemic,” Jaramillo said. “And it was very important to me that we try to do everything we can to get the next person to fill Dr. Trujillo’s shoes in a place where they can get acclimated, and we can get to a great start of this next school year.”
Losing out on the position is finalist Dr. Oscar Rico from the Canutillo Independent School District in El Paso. Jaramillo says he understands that some members of the public were advocating for Rico but is calling on the community to rally around the new superintendent.
“Really what we need to do is bring both sides together,” Jaramillo said. “What I ask is to give Mr. Ramos a chance and hold him accountable. We will hold him accountable. Hold us accountable as a board. And I want you to hold us accountable, I welcome that.”
