The largest school district in New Mexico, Albuquerque Public Schools (APS), serves as a cautionary tale of what happens when fiscal mismanagement, declining student outcomes, and an inability to adapt to demographic shifts converge. Despite enormous financial investments, the district’s performance falters, highlighting systemic inefficiencies that demand urgent reform.
Per-Student Spending: More Money, Less Accountability
APS’s per-student spending has skyrocketed over the past decade, yet results have not kept pace. In 2016, the district spent $15,574 per student. By 2025, that number is projected to reach $33,087—a 112% increase. This growth is occurring alongside a steady decline in student enrollment, dropping from 85,336 students in 2016 to a projected 64,995 in 2025. While fewer students should theoretically reduce costs, APS has expanded its budget, allocating $2.15 billion for FY2025, only slightly less than the $2.16 billion spent in FY2024.
The question must be asked: where is this money going? APS’s budget growth far outpaces inflation and the decrease in student population. Such unchecked spending with minimal accountability suggests that taxpayer dollars are not being used effectively.
Declining Enrollment and Inflated Budgets
APS is grappling with a dual crisis of declining enrollment and bloated budgets. Enrollment has plummeted by over 20,000 students since 2016, reflecting a nationwide trend and local dissatisfaction with public education. Parents and students increasingly turn to charter schools, private schools, and homeschooling, leaving APS with fewer students to serve but an ever-expanding budget.
Instead of adjusting spending to reflect enrollment changes, APS has ballooned its budget. This mismatch signals a lack of fiscal discipline and a misalignment of priorities. Despite clear demographic trends, the district’s inability to streamline operations undermines its financial sustainability and erodes public trust.
The Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education has voted 4-3 to close Taft Middle School, repurposing it as the new site for the Coronado Dual Language Magnet K-8 School and making room for an international high school serving refugee and immigrant students.
Despite claims that the plan addresses declining enrollment and cost mitigation, the decision faced significant backlash from parents and board members over concerns about inadequate community communication and transparency. Taft becomes the third North Valley school to close in recent years, following La Luz and Duranes elementary schools, with current students offered enrollment at Taylor Middle School.
Dismal Academic Performance
While APS spends more per student, academic outcomes remain alarmingly low. Only 40% of high school students test proficient or above in reading, and a dismal 26% achieve proficiency in math. These results are not just poor but unacceptable in light of the district’s significant financial resources.
The disconnect between spending and outcomes suggests deep-rooted inefficiencies. APS focuses on maintaining inflated budgets rather than investing in strategies that improve educational quality. For example, much of the increased spending is allocated to administrative overhead and non-instructional support services rather than directly benefiting classrooms and students.
Misplaced Priorities
APS’s financial decisions also raise concerns about priorities. While the district claims to prioritize student support services, key programs initially funded by COVID-19 relief funds, such as tutoring and social-emotional learning tools, are now at risk due to the expiration of federal funding. The reliance on temporary funds for essential programs reflects poor long-term planning.
Moreover, the district’s capital projects, including new facilities and upgrades, often overshadow the pressing need for classroom resources and teacher development. For instance, APS failed to prepare adequate air conditioning systems for an early August school start despite its massive budget. Such oversights highlight a disconnect between administrative decisions and student needs.
Unhappy Parents
A 2022 Southwest Public Policy Institute survey revealed significant dissatisfaction among Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) parents, with over 75% expressing a preference for enrolling their children in charter schools if given the opportunity. The survey highlighted widespread concerns about APS, including inadequate education during the pandemic, mismanagement of funds, and a perception that school administration prioritizes bureaucracy over student needs.
Key findings include:
- Per standardized test results, over 65% of students are not reading proficiently.
- More than half of parents believe school funding is misused, with expenditures exceeding $27,000 per student annually.
- APS’s superintendent’s $240,000 salary contrasts with concerns about insufficient classroom resources.
- Less than 25% of parents find school board policies or administrative roles effective or transparent.
- Many parents cited the pandemic’s mismanagement as exacerbating learning losses, leading to increased support for school choice legislation.
The feedback underscores calls for reform, transparency, and greater access to school choice programs, reflecting parents’ frustration with APS’s performance and priorities.
Recommendations
To address these systemic issues, APS must implement comprehensive reforms aimed at improving efficiency, accountability, and educational outcomes:
- Align Budget with Enrollment: APS must adjust its budget to reflect declining enrollment, focusing on core educational priorities rather than sustaining unnecessary overhead.
- Increase Transparency: Detailed reporting on how funds are allocated and spent is essential to rebuild public trust. Taxpayers deserve to know where their money is going and what impact it is having.
- Invest in Evidence-Based Strategies: Redirect funds toward proven interventions, such as early literacy programs, math tutoring, and teacher professional development, rather than administrative expenses.
- Streamline Operations: APS should evaluate and eliminate inefficiencies, including redundancies in administrative roles and underutilized facilities.
- Engage the Community: Greater community involvement in budgetary and policy decisions can help ensure that APS’s priorities align with the needs of students and families.
- Adopt Comprehensive School Choice Reform: New Mexico should adopt policies that allow parents to withdraw their children from failing public schools and redirect funding to follow the student. This would empower parents to choose the best educational options for their children, including charter schools, private schools, or homeschooling. Implementing a robust school choice program would incentivize public schools to improve while allowing families to seek better alternatives.
Conclusion
Albuquerque Public Schools is a stark example of how increased spending does not necessarily translate into improved outcomes. The district’s ballooning budget, declining enrollment, and poor academic performance point to systemic failures that must be addressed. Without meaningful reforms, APS risks further eroding public confidence and failing the students it is meant to serve. The Southwest Public Policy Institute will continue to advocate for accountability and efficiency in public education, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used to deliver the high-quality education New Mexico’s children deserve.