The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo

By Alaina Mencinger and Esteban Candelaria
The Santa Fe New Mexican

Five people have acted as chief of New Mexico’s public education system during Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s tenure.

But lawmakers hope that Mariana Padilla, a former Albuquerque Public Schools science teacher, will be the last.

“She has a sense of urgency to help all of our kids succeed. She is focused on the outcomes of our children,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, adding Padilla is “the best education secretary yet.”

The Senate and the Senate Rules Committee each voted unanimously on Wednesday to sign off on Padilla to lead the New Mexico Public Education Department, a position she stepped into in September. Previously, Padilla was the director of the New Mexico Children’s Cabinet.

Padilla succeeded Arsenio Romero, who left under duress as he applied to be the New Mexico State University president.

“I hope that the revolving door of cabinet Secretaries in PED ends with you,” said Sen. Crystal Brantley, R-Elephant Butte on the Senate floor. “Arguably, I think you are one of the most qualified that we’ve seen here.”

When Padilla was appointed in September, the Governor’s Office said she would make $218,000 per year.

Padilla said her main priorities will be improving graduation rates, proficiency rates and making students want to come to school.

The state has struggled with chronic absenteeism. In the 2022-23 school year, around 40% of New Mexico’s students were considered “chronically absent,” missing at least 10% of their classes.

Padilla said there are many reasons students might miss school, including transportation obstacles, problems at home and mental health challenges. In a student wellness survey, Padilla said, students shared that they want the education system to address school safety, including bullying, additional support for mental health and assistance when they fall behind.

“We need to listen and we need to be responsive to those things,” Padilla said. “And we’re going to be relentless on this issue.”

Padilla’s confirmation hearing was a family affair. Her mother, a former Albuquerque Public Schools educator, and one of her daughters, a current APS student, spoke in favor of her confirmation. She was joined by her husband and two of her daughters on the Senate floor, while her parents, siblings and in-laws watched from the gallery.

“I think I know now how to handle you,” said Sen. Jim Townsend, R-Artesia, at the Senate Rules Committee. “You don’t do good, I’m going to call your mom.”

The Senate Rules Committee’s 8-0 vote in Padilla’s favor came just weeks after the committee narrowly voted to advance a measure that would remove the position entirely.

The joint resolution proposes resurrecting a state board of education — a structure axed by New Mexico voters in 2003 — which would select a superintendent of public instruction.

Padilla said a return to the state board model would be unwise.

“I don’t think that it’s the governance structure that will result in better outcomes for our students,” Padilla said. “There’s really nothing that directs us in research or in history or in other states, that there’s necessarily more stability under a state school board structure.”