APS, CNM are asking voters for funds to improve schools

Nov. 3—Election Day is Tuesday, and Albuquerque Public Schools is asking voters to re-up a 2-mill levy tax that will generate revenues for important district projects, including school maintenance, security infrastructure and even musical instruments for students.

"It's imperative, and it's also crucial," Capital Master Plan Executive Director Kizito Wijenje said.

The mill levies, which would collect about $2 per $1,000 of taxable property value within the district, would go into effect in the 2025 tax year, if approved, according to the district. It's meant as a continuation of existing mill levies, which will expire in 2024.

They'll generate an expected $264,673,790 in revenue over six years, according to the district website, which will amount to a roughly $12 million increase in annual revenues from the previous mill levies.

That said, he noted that the mill levies are at the same rate as they were before — property valuations have just gone up, accounting for the revenue increase.

Revenue from the mill levies, Wijenje said, will go to at least four key groups of projects and supplies:

General maintenance, including upkeep of the district's 16 million square feet of roofs, heating and cooling systems, plumbing and other infrastructure;Security projects to repair and maintain the district's safety infrastructure, such as cameras and fire and other alarm systems;Learning tools, including musical instruments and art supplies for students;And information technology, including devices, internet connectivity and other hardware.

"It's an access and equity issue for the district," Wijenje said.

CNM bond

Central New Mexico Community College is also asking voters to improve an $80 million general obligation bond, which the institution says will be used to provide "our community, employees, and most importantly, our students with modernized facilities for more effective learning."

Specifically, revenue from the bond, if approved, would go toward construction expenses, property improvements and installing computer hardware, according to a resolution signed by CNM's governing board.

"Voting on this bond enables everyone in central New Mexico to demonstrate their support for education, our local economy, and life-changing educational and training opportunities for future generations of students and their families," the school said on its website.