Union confident in superintendent pick

As the president of the Rio Rancho School Employees Union and a first-grade teacher at Ernest Stapleton Elementary, I am writing to share a sense of renewed optimism regarding the future of our district. On behalf of the educators and school employees who serve our community’s children every day, I want to publicly express our confidence in the Board of Education’s selection of Dr. Robby Dodd as our next superintendent.

Choosing a leader for a district of our size and diversity is a significant responsibility. In Dr. Dodd, the board has selected a leader who understands that the strength of our schools is found in the people who work within them. However, a change in leadership is not a "magic wand;" it is an invitation for the entire community — staff, parents, and civic leaders — to unite behind a shared vision for excellence.

When we have a superintendent who leads with transparency and a spirit of collaboration, the possibilities for our district are limitless. With the right leadership at the helm, we can move toward a future where:

• Teacher retention is a priority: We can build a culture that moves beyond mere recruitment to focus on the long-term professional sustainability of our veteran staff, ensuring our students have the experienced mentors they deserve.

• Meaningful innovation: We can implement professional development models and advancement opportunities that empower educators to sharpen their skills without losing their primary focus on the classroom.

• A united school culture: We can bridge the gap between administrative policy and classroom reality, ensuring that safety protocols and student supports are not just words on paper, but lived experiences in every hallway.

My roles as an educator and local union president allow me to strategically mobilize our members, and I am fully committed to using my platform to inspire and facilitate the kind of powerful activism that moves our district forward. But this progress requires a partner in the superintendent’s office who will continue to value the voice of labor.

I am confident that Dr. Dodd is that partner. I urge the Rio Rancho community to join us in welcoming him. Let us focus on the collective work of building a district where every employee feels valued and every student is prepared to succeed.