department of education | New Mexico In Focus

July 26, 2019 – With less than a month before the start of a new school year, New Mexico is once again looking for someone to lead the Department of Education. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced this week that she was moving forward on her “education moonshot” without Karen Trujillo, who had only been on the job six months. A lack of communication and sense of urgency about major education reforms were cited as the reasons for her dismissal. But, Trujillo says she had no idea the Governor was unhappy with her performance. Host Gene Grant and The Line panelists break down the decision, plus the surprised reaction of many lawmakers, educators and community leaders.

Line Panelists:
Diane Denish, Former Lt. Governor
Dave Mulryan, Everybody Votes Founder
Ed Perea, Lawyer and Public Safety Expert
Diane Snyder, Former State Senator

For Further Reading/Watching:

State Not Able to Implement K-5 Plus Program as Effectively as Expected, Santa Fe New Mexican

Concerns Expressed over PED Shake-up, Albuquerque Journal

Lujan Grisham Ouster of Trujillo Raises Questions, New Mexico in Depth

GOP Lawmaker Seeks Hearing on PED Shake-up, Albuquerque Journal

December 21, 2018 – Host Gene Grant and our all-journalist Line panel are closing in on the top story of 2018. In this segment, they discuss the 3rd and 2nd biggest stories of the past year. Up first was the education lawsuit that will have long-lasting impacts on the state for years to come. A state judge ruled back in July that the state was violating its constitutional obligation to provide an adequate education to all New Mexicans. Outgoing Governor Susana Martinez and the Department of Education were reportedly preparing to appeal that court decision, but Governor-Elect Michelle Lujan Grisham has said she will not fight the ruling. And now, officials are on the clock with an April deadline to come up with a plan to fix the deficiencies. At number 2 on this year’s countdown is the upturn in the economy, starting with the news that streaming giant Netflix will buy Albuquerque Studios and turn it into the company’s first production hub. Unemployment numbers also dipped in 2018, and the state coffers are bulging thanks to a new boom in the oil and gas industry. The panelists also discuss what leaders and lawmakers can do to keep the momentum going in 2019.

Line Panelists:
Inez Russell Gomez, editorial page editor, Santa Fe New Mexican
Mary Hudetz, reporter, Associated Press
Andy Lyman, reporter, New Mexico Political Report
Jeff Proctor, reporter, Santa Fe Reporter and New Mexico in Depth

Tag Archives: department of education

The Line: Governor Fires Secretary of Education Karen Trujillo

The Line: Top Stories of 2018 (Numbers 3 & 2)