RR school board initiates search to fill Beth Miller seat

RIO RANCHO — Who will fill the seat of former Rio Rancho school board member Dr. Beth Miller?

That was a question the Rio Rancho Public Schools Board of Education began to answer Monday, when it accepted Miller’s resignation and initiated a search for her replacement. Miller, who has represented District 4 since November 2023 and served as board secretary, announced her departure for unspecified health reasons just days before Monday’s meeting. 

“We want someone who understands our community and is committed to doing what’s best for students,” RRPS Board President Amanda Galbraith said in a prepared statement following the meeting. “The right fit helps the board work together thoughtfully on the big decisions ahead.”

The board - now down to four members - must fill the vacancy by April 23, according to RRPS legal counsel Lauren Hatch, who cited school board policy. If the board cannot appoint a qualified individual by that time, the decision will be made by the New Mexico Public Education Department, the policy states.

Acknowledging the deadline, RRPS board members agreed Monday that qualified individuals must submit their application materials by 12 p.m. on March 27. The board will then review applications before conducting public interviews April 8 and 9, with a decision likely to occur on the second day, Galbraith said during the meeting.

Qualified applicants include registered voters in Rio Rancho who live in School Board District 4, which stretches from NM-528 to Nyasa Road Southeast and covers Lincoln Middle School.

The appointed individual would serve until Dec. 31, 2027, to fill out the remainder of Miller’s term.

Additionally, the meeting included reflections on Miller from Galbraith and RRPS Superintendent Dr. Sue Cleveland. 

Galbraith noted that one of the challenges for Miller in submitting her resignation was that she wanted to “show support” for Dr. Robert “Robby” Dodd, a longtime Maryland schools administrator who was appointed by Miller and the previous school board in December to succeed Cleveland. Monday marked the first school board meeting for Dodd, who sat with members of the public and took notes.

“(Miller) did say, numerous times, she does have that support for him, and she wishes she could be here to help with that transition,” Galbraith said. “Truly, she’s been such a great board member.”

Galbraith also cited Miller’s connections with lawmakers at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe during the legislative session.

“She knows so many people at the state level that consider her a friend, and her word - that was all they needed to move ahead with things,” Galbraith said. “That just speaks to her character and who she was.”

Galbraith recalled Miller answering the call of numerous community members to run for the District 4 seat, previously held by Noreen Scott, who did not run for re-election.

 “(Miller has) been involved in education for so long - in some ways, she was a little nervous to (run for office), too,” Galbraith said. 

Cleveland, who has known Miller for 20 years, applauded the former board member for child literacy efforts, wished her well and said the district would miss having her on the school board.

Qualified applicants can email, mail, or hand-deliver a letter of interest, a summary of relevant experience and qualifications, and a copy of their current voter information card to the school district office, 500 Laser Rd. NE. Emailed applications can be sent to board.applications@rrps.net and mailed ones can be submitted to Rio Rancho Public Schools Attn: Amanda Galbraith, Board President, 500 Laser Rd NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124.

The board also voted Monday to install District 5 board member Rebecca Murray as secretary.