Las Cruces Public School Board unanimously approved the resignation of Superintendent Stan Rounds.
Stan Rounds resigned as Superintendent of Las Cruces Public Schools with the school board accepting a mutual severance agreement of $140,000 effective June 30th. Rounds had 11 months and just over $216,000 remaining on his contract.
School Board Member Ed Frank says the severance agreement is fair for both parties.
“I think it shows recognition for the very big contributions that Superintendent Rounds made to this District,” Frank said.
Frank says he’s enthusiastic about finding a New Superintendent to keep improving the district further.
Rounds did not comment on the resignation, but a prepared statement from both the school board and Superintendent Rounds read:
“Mr. Rounds thanks the current and past Board of Education for providing him with the opportunity to serve the Las Cruces Public Schools.”
Terry Dean, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operations Officer of Las Cruces Public Schools will serve as Acting Superintendent until the school board can appoint an Interim Superintendent.
Dean says he will help bring Las Cruces Public Schools into the new school year before he retires at the end of August.
“I really feel like I have an obligation to carry on and get things ready for the next school year,” Dean said. “It’s about our kids and it’s about our team, and so I’m obligated to the team.”
Patrick Sanchez with NEA Las Cruces thanked Mr. Rounds for his service even though they often disagreed.
“It’s no secret that as of late we were at odds with Mr. Rounds,” Sanchez said. “Disagreements were far reaching and at times very contentious, but it was never personal. And I wish Mr. Rounds well in his future endeavors and I have a feeling we are going to see a lot more of him around the state doing good things for our school systems.”
Sanchez says NEA will continue to work toward change with a new superintendent.
“As we go forward it’s important to state,” Sanchez said. “That we will continue to press for an open and transparent budget process, and a more transparent hiring process. Stakeholders such as parents, students and educators must be part of the screening and interviewing processes for the district and school leadership. We have much work to do to repair the declining morale in the district and we stand ready to help.”
The mutual severance agreement will still need to be approved by the Third Judicial District Court and the New Mexico Department of Education.
Full Statement from Las Cruces Public School Board and Stan Rounds:
Stan Rounds has tendered his resignation as Superintendent of Schools for the Las Cruces Public Schools and the Board has accepted his resignation. An Agreement has been reached which allows Mr. Rounds the ability to pursue other interests and permits the Board to pursue hiring another Superintendent. The Board and Mr. Rounds have entered into the Agreement believing it is in their respective best interests and in the best interests of the District. The Board and Mr. Rounds will be jointly seeking approval by the court and the Secretary of Education of the agreement as required by state law. The Agreement is subject to court and Secretary approval.
On behalf of the entire District, the LCPS School Board expresses its appreciation to Mr. Rounds for his efforts while serving as Superintendent of this great school district. Mr. Rounds thanks the current and past Board of Education for providing him with the opportunity to serve the Las Cruces Public Schools. Together we have:
· increased the graduation rate from 45% to 75%;
· graduated virtually 100% of the students eligible from Arrowhead Park
Early College High School;
· successfully opened 1 new high school, 1 new elementary school, and 1 new middle school; and
· received strong community support for our bond and mill levies.
The Board extends its best wishes to Mr. Rounds in his future endeavors. On its part, the Board will soon begin its search for a new Superintendent so as not to disrupt the District’s operations.
