Statement from Secretary of Education Dr. Veronica C. García

Concerning News Reports of Budget Shortfall
In the Albuquerque Public Schools

(Santa Fe, NM) -- Secretary of Education Dr. Veronica C. García and Don Moya, deputy secretary for finance and operations for the Public Education Department, have been in consultation with Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Everitt and Michael Vigil, the district’s superintendent for business, following recent news reports of a budget shortfall in the district.

“We’re confident after these consultations that this is the district’s first step in a different budget process. We fully anticipate receiving a balanced budget with current funds. The budget shortfall reported in the past several days includes all of the extra requests currently before the district. It’s important to note that the district is not in a cash deficit position. This is only a budget projection for next year,” said Secretary Dr. García.