DEMING – A proposal to establish a new state-chartered K-8 public school in Deming continues to move through the New Mexico Public Education Commission’s application and review process, prompting discussion among educators, parents and community members about the future of public education in Luna County.
Approximately 10 members of the New Mexico Public Education Commission (PEC) were in Deming on Monday, July 6, for a community hearing held at the Mimbres Valley Community Center. The hearing provided commissioners an opportunity to hear comments from supporters, opponents and members of the public as they evaluate the application for the proposed charter school.
If approved, the school would operate independently of Deming Public Schools as a state-authorized public charter school.
The proposed school, currently referred to as Community Leadership Academy, remains in the planning stages. Organizers say they hope to open the school for the 2027-2028 school year if their application is approved. The school would serve students in kindergarten through eighth grade, although enrollment numbers have not yet been determined.
Deming Public Schools Superintendent Nicholas Wohlgemuth told Deming News the district is not opposed to charter schools in general.
Instead, Wohlgemuth said the district evaluates each proposal based upon the educational needs of the community. He pointed to Deming Cesar Chavez Charter High School as an example of a charter school the district supported because it addressed a demonstrated need within the community.
However, Wohlgemuth said district administrators do not believe a similar need currently exists for another K-8 school in Luna County.
According to Wohlgemuth, district leaders are concerned about several issues surrounding the proposal, including the potential reduction in state funding that follows students who transfer to a charter school, the possible loss of teachers and support personnel, and operational questions involving student admissions and transportation services.
He said those concerns are based upon the district’s responsibility to continue providing educational services to the majority of students enrolled in Deming Public Schools.
The founders of Community Leadership Academy see the proposal differently.
Following Monday’s hearing, the founders released a written statement thanking community members who participated in the Public Education Commission hearing, whether they spoke in support of or against the proposal.
The statement says the proposed charter school was founded on the belief that “every child learns differently, and every family deserves access to high-quality public school options.” The founders say their vision is not to compete with Deming Public Schools, but rather to expand educational opportunities by offering families a different educational model.
According to the statement, the proposed school would emphasize leadership development, project-based learning, entrepreneurship, meaningful community partnerships, strong family engagement and a smaller school environment where students are known individually and receive more personalized instruction.
The founders also said they believe smaller learning communities allow educators to build stronger relationships with students and families while providing more individualized support and opportunities for student success.
In a telephone interview with Deming News, Vicki Chavez said she respectfully disagrees with the district’s assessment that another K-8 school is unnecessary.
She said families deserve additional educational choices beyond those currently available.
Chavez said approximately 112 students in Luna County are currently being homeschooled and believes many families are looking for another public education option that better meets the needs of their children.
“We’re rethinking how school is done,” Chavez said. “We’re giving families another option to choose what they feel they want to do for their kids.”
Chavez also responded to concerns regarding school funding.
She said organizers believe the financial impact on Deming Public Schools has been overstated, adding that over a five-year period the proposed charter school would receive approximately $3.5 million in public education funding while the district would continue receiving many millions of dollars to serve the remaining student population.
She said the school’s goal is to empower students to become future leaders by focusing on leadership characteristics and helping each child reach his or her full potential.
Mike Chavez said organizers believe New Mexico’s long-standing educational challenges demonstrate the need to consider new approaches to teaching and learning.
“We keep hearing New Mexico is last in education,” Chavez said. “That means something is broken.”
He said Community Leadership Academy is studying successful charter schools from around New Mexico and plans to model many of the educational practices that have proven successful elsewhere.
According to Chavez, one of those approaches is emphasizing learning by doing through project-based instruction and real-world educational experiences.
Vicki and Mike Chavez also addressed rumors they say have circulated within the community suggesting the proposed charter school would be religiously affiliated.
Both told Deming News the proposed Community Leadership Academy would not be a religious school in any form. They said the school would operate as a public state-chartered school and would be subject to the same state educational requirements and accountability standards as any other New Mexico public school if approved.
The founders also stated in their written release that Community Leadership Academy is intended to complement, not replace, existing educational opportunities in Deming by serving families seeking a different public school experience, as well as students currently enrolled in homeschool or virtual education programs.
The proposed charter school remains under review by the New Mexico Public Education Commission.
Commission members will continue evaluating the application, community input, educational plans, financial readiness, governance and operational requirements before deciding whether to authorize the school.
No final decision has been announced.
Because of the significant community interest surrounding the proposed charter school, Deming News will continue following this developing story and provide updates as additional information becomes available throughout the Public Education Commission’s review process.
John Krehbiel – Bravo Mic Communications, LLC – john@bravomic.com
