2026 School Board Group Photo. Courtesy photo
LAPS News:
Members of the Los Alamos Public Schools School Board met June 9 for the first meeting following the wrap up of the 2025-2026 school year.
This was the second meeting for new board member Elisa Baker. Also in attendance were President Sondra Wyman, Vice President Lauren Coupland and Secretary Melanie Colgan.
The board approved installation contracts with HMM Services for heating and cooling in several locations at Los Alamos Middle School and Los Alamos High School. The contract was approved in the amount not to exceed $160,000. The contracts are for three classrooms in the E wing building at LAHS, and the band room, choir room, wood shop and adjoining classroom at LAMS.
Work is expected to be completed before the start of the 2026-2027 school year.
The board next approved the selection of Hinkle + Landers to provide audit services for the district through 2029. Hinkle + Landers are a New Mexico firm and have served school districts and municipalities for more than 54 years. They specialize in Public Entities and Government Audits.
LAPS Superintendent Jennifer Guy gave a Federal funding update, noting that some funding has decreased due to declining enrollment numbers. She did note that this trend is not exclusive to Los Alamos but is occurring across the state. The district did receive Federal funding for Title I, Part A; Title II, Part A and Title IV, Part A. Title I funds are used to support math and reading intervention. Title II funding is used for state-mandated items for new teacher supports, including mentorship programs, and professional development for new teachers. LAPS uses Title IV funds for Second Step, an anti-bullying program utilized at the school sites.
The board approved the Open Meetings Act Resolution and discussed the process for a School Board self-evaluation. They also recapped highlights from the recent New Mexico School Board Association Annual Law Conference, which was attended by Vice President Coupland, Secretary Colgan and Member Baker.
The next School Board work session will be at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, June 25, 2026, at Los Alamos High School. The following School Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14.