School board races in Bernalillo, Cuba, Jemez Valley and Rio Rancho were decided, and voters in the City of Vision approved funding for a third high school on election day, Nov. 7.
There were several contested races on school boards across the county, but not in Bernalillo.
Incumbents Christine Suina (District 1), Cordy Chavez (District 4) and Paul Madrid (District 5) were each unopposed in the school board election.
Bernalillo voters did have a choice on a tax question authorizing a $2-mill tax for capital improvements.They approved the measure with 64% of voters supporting it, according to unofficial results on the Secretary of State’s website. The tax would be imposed from 2025-30.
Rio Rancho Public Schools
There was one contested school board race in Rio Rancho. Elizabeth Louise Miller beat Ramon M. Montano, 1,186-857, for the District 4 seat on the school board being vacated by Noreen Scott. Incumbent Amanda Joy Galbraith will retain her seat, running unopposed in District 2. Galbraith and Miller are both Republican, which will retain a conservative majority on the board.
Voters in Rio Rancho also approved two questions posed to them on the ballot. With 71% support from voters living in the district, up to $80 million in General Obligation Bonds will be issued for building improvements and possibly paving the way for a new high school. They also approved a tax question that imposes a $2-mill tax on property from 2024-29 for capital improvements, with 62% support.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. V. Sue Cleveland thanked the community in a news release.
“We have been so fortunate to operate in a community that truly believes in education and understands its value,” she said. “The $80 million bond will allow Rio Rancho Public Schools to continue to provide quality spaces for students to learn and the SB-9 measure will provide crucial dollars for maintenance and repairs. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to education and your investment in our community. This bond represents not just an investment in our schools but an investment in our shared future.”
Cuba Independent Schools
Cuba Independent Public Schools’ District 4 seat was won by Adan Delgado, 96-61. He beat Dianna L. Maestas-Lovato.
Running unopposed for school board in Cuba were Christine Suina (District 1) and James Casaus (District 5).
Voters there also approved a 2-mill tax for capital improvements and a $6.5 million General Obligation Bond to put toward school buildings, equipment and teacher housing. Eighty percent of voters supported the tax.
Jemez Valley Public Schools
Jemez Valley Public Schools had two contested races. Cathy Trujillo-Wiseman held on to her District 2 position by garnering 140 votes. Write-in candidate Manuel J. Lucero did not receive a vote.
Incumbent Anthony Delgarito lost a tight race Glenda J. Medina in District 4. Medina won by just six votes, 28-22. Incumbents Amelia Trujillo (District 1) and Peter Madalena (District 5) were unopposed.
A 2-mill tax for capital improvements was also approved for the school district in the Jemez Valley with 71% support.
Central New Mexico Community College
In other elections relating to higher education, voters in the Albuquerque area, including Sandoval County, approved $80 million in bond sales for buildings and computer upgrades at Central New Mexico Community College with 60% support.
Virginia Lopez Trujillo was also elected to the college’s board in District 6 without opposition.
Conservation Boards
Conservation boards had several competitive races. Elmer Morales defeated Jason Ohler for a supervisor position of the Cuba Soil & Water Conservation Board, 769-308.
In a three-way race for the landowner representative, Chris J. Lucero won 47% of the vote, while Julian R Sanchez collected 28% and Margaret L. Ohler got 25%..
Susan Harrelson bested Indiana Jayd Madrid for a supervisor position on the Coronado Soil & Water Conservation Board.
For the landowner position, Kathleen Groody won 1,200 votes, or 39%. She bested Mary Catherine Louise Baca, who got 31% of the votes and Alfred L. Baca, who won 30%.
Two spots on the Southern Sandoval County Arroyo Flood Control Authority were up for grabs. In a close four-way race, Maria Isabel Marquez set the pace with 3,947 votes, or 29%. Michael Vidal came in second with 3,595 votes, or 26%. Incumbent Ronald A. Abramshe got 23% of the vote and Robert Joseph Martinez got 22%.
In addition, 71% of voters signed off on $30 million in General Obligation Bonds for improvements and expansion of the SSCAFC flood control system.
John W. Gurule secured the director at large position on the Pena Blanca Water and Sanitation Board as the lone candidate.
Trey Young was unopposed in this bid to serve on the North Ranchos de Placitas Water Sanitation District.
Village of San Ysidro
One seat was decided on the Village of San Ysidro Board of Trustees. Julieann M. Quintana won the at-large position, 39-27, over John Joseph Urban.
Voter turnout in Sandoval County was dismal. Just 16% of more than 100,000 eligible voters turned out for the election. Statewide turnout was 20%.