RRPS Board member Beth Miller to step down

RIO RANCHO — Dr. Beth Miller, a member of the Rio Rancho Public Schools Board of Education, is stepping down from her seat to focus on her health, the school district said on Thursday.

Miller, who represented District 4 on the five-member board and served as board secretary, will officially depart Monday, which coincides with the scheduled date of the next regular school board meeting and a work session regarding Independence High School.

Board President Amanda Galbraith and RRPS Superintendent Dr. Sue Cleveland offered praise for the former University of New Mexico administrator.

“Secretary Miller … has led with compassion, diligence, and a genuine desire to make a difference,”  Galbraith stated. “While we are saddened to see her depart, we fully support her decision to focus on her health and well-being.”

Cleveland added that Miller’s “leadership and advocacy for student success have left a lasting impact on our district. On behalf of the entire RRPS community, we thank her for her service and wish her strength, healing, and all the very best.”

Miller’s departure comes following her absences from several recent board meetings, including Feb. 23. On that date, Galbraith publicly excused Miller, stating only “we wish her well,” but did not elaborate.

Miller did, however, play an active role in the recent superintendent search, voting in December for Dr. Robert “Robby” Dodd, a former longtime Maryland schools administrator who is set to become only the second superintendent in RRPS history.

Miller was first elected in November 2023, defeating former board member Ramon Montaño with 58% of the vote, according to a previous Observer article. She represented Lincoln Middle School — the only RRPS institution in District 4. She was not up for election until next year.

In working to replace Miller, the school district will rely on board policy, which gives the other four members of the board the ability to appoint her successor.  The board will provide more information about this process in the coming weeks, according to the release.