Enchantment State News

The Las Cruces Public Schools (LCPS) administration has been directed by the School Board to revise book review regulations, KEC and KEF, resulting in various updates. The revised rules aim for increased transparency, random selection of parents on committees, clear criteria for book removal from schools, and allow discussion before votes are cast. Importantly, votes will no longer be anonymous.

Under the new regulations, book review committees are structured differently:

For KEC: three parents, two teachers appointed by the National Education Association (NEA), one counselor or social worker, one school principal, one mental health administrator, one administrator from the Teaching and Learning Division, and two students from the Student Advisory Council at the high school level.

For KEF: three parents, four teachers appointed by NEA, one principal, and one administrator from the Teaching and Learning Division.

Concerns have been raised regarding these new regulations. Critics argue that "parents are severely outnumbered on the book review committees," comprising only three of nine members (or three of eleven for Regulation KEC at the high school level). There is also concern over teachers being appointed by NEA according to a bargaining unit agreement.

Another point of contention involves Regulation KEC's inclusion of two students on high school-level committees. Critics worry this might lead to "students being exposed to age-inappropriate content." Additionally, decisions made under Regulation KEC to retain books with full access are final and cannot be appealed. Some feel this lacks balance and call for a "full appeal process" for both KEC and KEF regulations to maintain integrity.

The community is encouraged to contact LCPS board members via email or attend an upcoming School Board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 19th at 6 pm at the LCPS Administration Building in Las Cruces. Attendees can provide public comments on these issues during this session.

Community members Sarah Smith and Juan Garcia urge residents to engage respectfully with board members using personalized communication rather than standardized messages. They emphasize revising Regulations KEC and KEF again to ensure fair representation for parents on these committees.