Cooper seeks reelection, opponents hopeful for a shot at Las Cruces school board

Candidates running in District 5 for the Las Cruces Public Schools Board of Education make their cases for the position as Election Day approaches.

Carol Cooper, José Aranda, Ed Frank and Ernest B. Carlson IV are seeking election to District 5 which encompasses the northeast side of the city near I-70. Like other candidates running for Las Cruces school board positions, three of these candidates agree that student success is at the forefront of their campaigns.

Incumbent Carol Cooper is running for a second term after first being elected in 2019 against then-incumbent Ed Frank. Frank is again seeking election to this position.

Cooper has lived in Las Cruces since 1964 after moving from Roswell, New Mexico to attend New Mexico State University to pursue a degree in teaching. However, family life prevented her from finishing her degree and she would eventually graduate with a bachelor's degree in accountancy starting her career in public accounting. Despite having a business background, Cooper has also worked and volunteered in other positions.

“I worked for Sally and Glenn Cutter selling jewelry and fine China, was active in the Las Cruces Junior Womens' Club, and served as a coordinator for two (all volunteer) community school pilot projects at Bradley and Loma Heights Elementary Schools where we had weekly family nights with classes and activities that community members indicated they would like to have,” Cooper said.

Having a passion for literacy, José Aranda has worked in public libraries most of his career. Since 2005 he's worked for Doña Ana Community College as the outreach librarian, a professor and currently an instructional librarian. He has been involved with Las Cruces Public Schools as a parent, coach and sports official. He says his experience and relationships with the community have provided him with a good foundation for the school board.

“I am learning a lot about our students, and personally feel like a kindred spirit with most of them,” Aranda said. “I want people to know that I’m passionate about literacy and libraries, but concerned about their future, as the younger generation’s over-use of technology has challenged the need and/or importance for both.

“For any positive change to come from LCPS, it will require mutual efforts from all stakeholders and community members. This must be a collaborative effort, so students understand the seriousness at hand, but may also witness the support and care we have for them as well."

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Ed Frank is a retired educator with 39 years of experience as a teacher in public schools and community college. Having served on the Las Cruces Public Schools Board of Education before, he’s decided to throw his hat in the race again.

“I want to emphasize that every decision I make as a school board member will be filtered through my 39-year teaching career. I want to see the best possible atmosphere at LCPS for teachers to teach and students to learn,” Frank said.

The Sun-News sent all school board candidates a list of questions pertaining to their candidacy and to learn what they believe to be key issues impacting Las Cruces Public Schools. Here’s a look at how Cooper, Aranda and Frank responded. Ernest Carlson IV is also running in this race but did not respond to the questionnaire.

In your view, what are the top issues facing Las Cruces Public Schools and why? How would you go about solving them if elected?

Cooper: “Connection with our fellow human beings is our greatest resource. I believe 'Covid' has made us more aware of that. Our students' performance, reflected in attendance records and achievement scores, makes it clear. I am supporting the efforts of Superintendent [Ignacio] Ruiz and our school administration to equip parents, other family members, and community members to support our students with the 'why,' the what, the how of the educational material we know students must live with the rest of their lives. Lots of 'connecting' will have to happen, and if it does, learning will be a joy.”

Aranda: “The top issues facing LCPS include: teacher shortage, adequate teacher support, student deficiency in reading and math, and the gap that many students and teachers faced because of the pandemic.”

Aranda said that he plans to address teacher staffing by ensuring fair compensation, manageable workloads and access to mental health resources. Establishing a stronger partnership with New Mexico State University to encourage recent education graduates to stay in Las Cruces and work for the district was another solution. As for student deficiencies, he said he would end social promotion of students and would support creating direct interventions for them to meet grade level benchmarks through mandatory tutoring and progress tracking.

Frank: “The No. 1 issue is student achievement. The way to solve this is by giving educators freedom and support to challenge their students. When academic standards are raised, students often resist. Educators have a better chance to succeed if they feel the school board and administration is behind them.”

Frank said that transportation and bullying in schools would also be a focus area. Looking into an “in-house” transportation system is an idea he suggested. For bullying, he said would make sure bullies are held accountable and that students feel safe in schools.

If elected, how would you go about determining budget priorities? Do you have any reservations about the district’s current spending?

Cooper: “I believe our strategic planning approach to determining the budget is a sound approach, and as we enter our third year of the strategic planning process, I am sure we will see refinement of some of our decision-making processes regarding curriculum, teaching staff, etc. The 'six-year' study LCPS will participate in will also ultimately improve budgeting. In my mind, sustainability of our current spending is the question, but teaching pay cuts and even administrative pay cuts (sometimes suggested) I do not believe is the answer. I believe we have exceptional teaching, administrative, and operational staff, and we have a community that steps up when needs arise.”

Aranda: “My budgetary priorities include hiring or contracting out more reading specialists, math teachers and specialists, and mental health professionals. In addition, I support increasing all school library staff and budgets to improve their collection and promote usage. I do not have any comment regarding current district spending.”

Frank: “I have no reservations about the district's current spending, however, during this period of high oil revenues, I support strong lobbying to get as much money as possible into our classrooms. To address the issue of recruitment and retention of staff, I would advocate for our salaries and benefits to be the maximum that the budget can afford. We never want to be skimping on educational materials. All students, especially those with special needs, should be supported with all the services they need to succeed academically, emotionally, and socially.”

In your view, what role does a school board have in district, student, and staff achievement? Explain how that relates to your vision for being elected.

Cooper: “The School Board hires the Superintendent of Schools, and we write LCPS school policies and update them periodically to reflect the current expectations of our community and requirements of governments which grant us funds to enhance aspects of our educational environment. The school board serves to express the values of the community we serve, the values of parents, the values of the business community, the values of our higher education community. Our students will study a lot about other communities, other cultures, but our community is who our students are/can be connected to. Our staff needs to be connected to the community they serve also; that is our job.”

Aranda: “I believe a school board’s role in its district’s achievement is as a facilitator of optimism and hard work. If I am elected, I plan to set goals of being a team-player to the superintendent, and helping set policy that positively impacts student-learning in the district and improve basic literacy proficiency. I will utilize my experience and skills working on various committees, boards, and commissions, and encourage change to ensure the best student-learning occurs at LCPS through the setting of effective policy and educational opportunities.”

Frank: “The ultimate goal of a school district is to maximize student outcomes. As previously stated, we must empower our staff to set the highest possible standards and let them know that they are supported by the board.”

How do you plan to support, represent, or advocate for your constituency at board meetings, conferences, or public events?

Cooper: "Public Comment feels like a one-way conversation (which, of course, is not a conversation), but while public comment is not a conversation, it is a meeting of minds; the comments continue to be considered beyond the last word spoken. Sometimes I follow-up with questions through email or phone calls; sometimes I consider and store for another time. Public comment is very appreciated and never wasted.”

Aranda: “I plan to support and advocate for my constituency by keeping in touch with my district school campuses and facilitating discussions (including in Spanish) with all players, so that I get the best possible insight into their demographics and specific needs. I also plan on being accessible and available via most electronic means, on a regular basis, and also in person at various functions and public spaces, as accommodations permit.”

Frank: “I hope to get feedback from constituents, listen, and try to represent them in school board meetings and public events. I will be accessible.”

How to connect with the candidates, further read their platforms

Carol Cooper email: clcooper1946@gmail.com

José Aranda email: jaranda2@hotmail.com

Ed Frank website: EdFrankforSchoolBoard.com

Ernesto Cisneros is a reporting fellow with the UNM/NM Local News Fund program. He covers education for the Sun-News and can be reached at ECisneros@lcsun-news.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter at @_ernestcisneros.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Cooper, Aranda, Frank, Carlson running for Las Cruces school board