Bobbie Gutierrez
EDUCATION News:
Monday evening the Española School Board met in a special board meeting where by a unanimous vote they appointed Bobbi Gutierrez as acting superintendent for the remainder of this school year and interim superintendent until June 30, 2016.
This appointment follows the actions taken at last week’s special school board meeting where the board on a 3 to 2 vote relieved Danny Trujillo from the superintendent role.
Newly appointed Interim Superintendent Bobbie Gutierrez was appointed by the school board with the understanding that she would serve as superintendent until June 30, 2016, and also assist the board in developing a process for selecting the next regular superintendent.
“We want to help stop the revolving door and create longevity in the role.” said Gutierrez, adding “Longevity in administration creates stability and helps a school district grow toward its goals.” Gutierrez is the sixth superintendent or acting superintendent for the Española Public Schools since 2010.
School Board President Pablo Lujan said about the selection process that “a couple other candidates were considered but we wanted to make sure we have someone experienced in superintendency who could lead us through the challenges ahead, student achievement, declining enrollment and the dropout rate.” Lujan added that the school board hoped by selecting someone for a limited transition period, it would empower them to “be as brutally honest as needed because she just had this one year.”
Interim Superintendent Gutierrez is no stranger to northern New Mexico public education. Between 2008 and 2012 she served as superintendent for the Santa Fe Public School District.
Gutierrez rose through the ranks in the Santa Fe district where she was first hired as a teacher in 1984. During her years there she also served as a school principal, Director of Curriculum & Instruction and in 2002 was appointed deputy superintendent. In that role she was known for managing various construction and improvement projects.
Gutierrez stayed late after the Monday meeting talking with staff and community members who attended the meeting and said she will be in the office early Tuesday to begin working on the budget process for next year.
