From left, UNM-LA Advisory Board candidates Chris Luchini, Kristin Henderson, John Pawlak and Jose Carreno participate in the League of Women Voters forum Thursday night at UNM-LA. The forum was moderated by League of Women Voters President Felicia Orth, far right. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladialypost.com

Los Alamos Public Schools Superintendent Jennifer Guy, far, right, discusses the general obligation bond, which will be on the ballot during this year’s election. Guy presented about the bond during the League of Women Voters forum Thursday night at UNM-LA. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com

Chris Luchini, Kristin Henderson, John Pawlak and Jose Carreno each made their case on why they are best suited to serve on the University of New Mexico-Los Alamos (UNM-LA) Advisory board during Thursday’s night League of Women Voters forum held on UNM-LA’s campus.

During opening comments, Luchini said that UNM-LA does important work; however, there needs to be more engagement with proposals being presented and the data being presented. Luchini said he feels he could bring that to the board.

Henderson said she can bring a good perspective to the board about the community’s needs and interests. Also, she would like to advocate for the school in the region and the state. UNM-LA is an asset to the community, Henderson added, that fact combined with her interest in education made her want to pursue a seat on the board.

Pawlak agreed that UNM-LA is an important part of the community, and he said he loves being part of this community, particularly because of its high value of education.

Carreno described UNM-LA as a “jewel” and he said he wants to do whatever he can to support the mission of the college. He added he is open to input to improve it. Carreno, who is an instructor at UNM-LA, said it was determined it was not a conflict of interest for him to serve on the advisory board.

During the question-and-answer portion of the forum, candidates were asked how they would address the partnership with Los Alamos High School in offering the dual credit classes, specifically with scheduling.

Henderson said offering the dual credit classes is a great feature.

“I do think it is really important,” she said.

She pointed out that scheduling doesn’t fall under the purview of the advisory board; it serves as a sounding board to the chancellor.

Pawlak agreed that “dual credit is phenomenal.” The gap between high school and college is huge and the dual credit gives students a taste college and they realize how to take responsibility for their own education, he said. Regarding scheduling, it is should be tailored to be convenient for students and the teachers, he said.

Carreno said a third to a half of his classes are usually high school students, and even students from out of state attend virtually.

“We try to accommodate the times, the schedules as much as possible to make it feasible for the high schoolers to take classes,” he added.

Luchini further punctuated that the board is an advisory board, not an executive board, so it does have the authority to make decisions and I it would not be handling scheduling.

However, he said, “I strongly, strongly support this program and the expansion of this program…”

Another question was how UNM-LA could contribute to the economic vitality of Northern New Mexico.

“It all comes down to balancing needs,” Pawlak said. “The quality of what you’re trying to get, how fast, the timing and the cost – the money.”

While he said he can’t offer any specific ideas but “it is a function that the board would love to contribute to.”

Carreno said the UNM-LA houses the Small Business Development Center and while it isn’t a part of the UNM-LA, “we support their mission and whatever we can do to do to stimulate the economy in whatever capacity would be a great thing.”

To create more economic vitality, Luchini said there needs to be an increased effort to match potential customers or students with employers and offer resources, which are instructors.

“…one thing that the board could do is reach out (and) basically publicize the need for people who have the skills, and this place is full of people who have the skills, to come here and be instructors,” he said.

Henderson said UNM-LA should partner with other schools in the region.

“We need to all work together,” she said.

One way to do that is visit other junior and high schools about future careers and how those careers can be kicked off by going to UNM-LA, Henderson said. Working with employers is also key.

Candidates weighed on student housing, too.

Carreno said, more students want to take classes online.

“It seems like the student body is moving to that direction,” he said. “I don’t know that student housing would be an issue for 80-90 precent of the students that are going here.”

Luchini said housing needs go beyond student housing and the only way to address that is to build more housing. He agreed that virtual attendance is growing.

Luchini added that he would like to see some kind of study regarding student housing presented to the board.

Henderson echoed that housing is needed everywhere. The solution, she said, is partnering with the Los Alamos County and other entities “to see what we can work on together.”

It is important for UNM-LA Advisory Board to advocate for these things, she said.

Pawlak said student housing is a topic the advisory board should explore.

“… as much as online education offers us there is some things we just got to be in the classroom for – interaction, socialization, etc.,” he said.

While voters will select who to serve on the advisory board as well as the school board, another item on the ballot will be the $30 million general obligation bond for LAPS.

Superintendent Jennifer Guy discussed the bond, explaining the district is reliant on taxpayer dollars for things like computers, software and when it comes to rebuilding buildings, LAPS is reliant on bonds.

The district is looking to rebuild the two schools in White Rock, Guy said, adding that other schools are in need of repairs.

To achieve this, voters are being asked to pass the bond, she said.

“We are very excited and grateful for this opportunity and grateful for the support we have gotten for it,” Guy said.

The 2023 election will kick off Tuesday, Oct. 10, with absentee voting by mail and in-person voting. Early voting will occur through Nov. 4 and election day will be Nov. 7. For more information, see the League of Women Voters’ 2023 Election Guide at www.ladailypost.com

Scene from the League of Women Voters 2023 candidate forum Thursday at the UNM-LA campus. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com