This afternoon at Fuller Lodge, former LAPS Superintendent Gene Schmidt, left, with his wife Wendy Schmidt, and new Superintendent Kurt Steinhaus wish each other the best of luck in their new endeavors. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Staff Report:
The Los Alamos School Board is hosting a community event until 6 p.m. today at Fuller Lodge to say thank you and good-bye to former Superintendent Gene Schmidt and his wife Wendy.
The Schmidts have been supportive neighbors in the community and dedicated advocates in the school district and will be missed as they move to the Farmington Municipal School District next month.
Schmidt has served as LAPS superintendent since July 2009. In his own words, he has been sincerely humbled to serve as superintendent of the Los Alamos Public Schools.
While Schmidt was superintendent, the school district posted many accomplishments:
- Academic achievement has improved for all students
- The Los Alamos schools have risen in their national prominence with the AvanceED accreditation, Quality New Mexico Pinon recognition, and becoming part of the 100 Best Communities
- Major construction projects have been completed at Los Alamos High School, the Middle School, and Aspen Elementary School
- The most recent School Bond Election had a 70% voter approval
- Development of Trinity Market Place and relocation of the District Office
- Sullivan Field and the Middle School football field were surfaced with artificial turf
- Establish a Memorial Garden located at the High School
- Awarded funding for the Early College High School program
- Established a Master’s Degree program for teachers, counselors, future administrators, and other staff
- As part of our High School Re-design, the JROTC program was moved from Pueblo Complex back to the High School
With leadership from the School Board, the district has had five years of unmodified, unqualified audits. Even though several of Schmidt’s six years in the district involved budget cuts, he was pleased to work with the School Board to “keep a focus on what is best for kids.”
