New PEC Commissioners and Milken Educator Award
Winners Will BE Recognized at Meeting Tomorrow

(Santa Fe, NM)—The Public Education Commission (PEC) will meet on January 14, 2005 beginning at 9:00 am in Mabry Hall in the Jerry Apodaca Education Bldg. The PEC Commission agenda includes the swearing- in of the new PEC Commissioners and recognition of the Milken Educator Award Winners.

Judge Michael E. Vigil of the 1st Judicial District Court will be swearing in the following newly named Public Education Commissioners:

Mr. Martin Andrew Garrison, District 1, from Albuquerque is replacing Flora M. Sanchez.
Ms. Karen Haughness, District 8, from Capitan, is replacing Mr. John R. Lankford
Mr. Dennis James Roch, District 9, from Texico, is replacing Mr. Scott B. Barthel
Ms. Rose Martinez, District 10, from Los Ojos, is replacing Mr. Alfred J. Herrera
District 4, Santa Fe, is vacant. (to be named by Governor) Previous member was Eleanor B. Ortiz

Additionally, the 2004 Milken Educator Award winners will be recognized. The Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award provides public recognition and an unrestricted financial prize of $25, 000 to elementary and secondary school teachers, principals and other education professionals who are furthering excellence in education.

Ms. Shari Davis, a first-grade teacher at Aspen Elementary in Los Alamos and Javier Milo, principal of Martin Elementary School in Deming, were recognized as New Mexico's 2004 Milken Educators. They will receive $25,000 Milken Educator Awards this spring. These two individuals will receive the 2004 Milken Educator Awards Obelisk at the PEC Meeting.

The PEC Commission Meeting Agenda is attached. For more questions please contact Jennifer Chavez, Public Information Officer, Public Education Department at jchavez@ped.state.nm.us or (505) 476-0393.