001eight. >> Good evening. The Rear Rancho Public Schools Board of Education special meeting uh for Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 is now called to order. If all would please rise for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> JC, can you do a roll call for us, please? >> President Gal, >> present. >> Vice President Morgan, >> present. >> Secretary Tyler, >> present. >> Board member Trip, >> present. Board member Miller >> present. >> We have a quorum. >> Thank you. We'd like to welcome everyone out tonight. I'm sure we have a lot who are also streaming this meeting online and we are happy to have everyone um
002really for a historic occasion that we'll have tonight. Um we would like to get started with approving our prioritized agenda and proposed time allocations. >> Madam President, this is board member Tyler. I will make a motion to approve the prioritized agenda and proposed time allocations. >> Board member Jeff Morgan. A second. >> Motion and a second. All in favor? >> I >> Motion carries. [sighs] How about any opposed? Excuse me. I'm writing my notes and >> can you tell that I'm nervous for this evening? So, >> um All right, there we go. So, motion carries 5-0. Thank you. All right. For tonight, we received one public comment on our online form. Um we do not have any public comment in person tonight and so I will just give a summary of the public comment that
003we got on our form tonight. Um the one received is from Robert Wright and he was just taking a moment to let the board know that um his um his opinion that uh Todd Rush would make a great superintendent. So we're thank you for we thank we're thankful for that public comment for tonight. Um, and we want to let everyone know if you would like to give public comment, you're always welcome to do so by either coming in in person, um, and you sign up before the meeting or you can of course use our online form as this person did today. Um, and we take all of those public comment and we listen to all of them. So, we appreciate them. Um, let's go to the consent agenda. >> Madame President, it's board member Tyler.
004I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda. >> Board member Jeff Morgan. I'll second. Okay, we have a motion and a second. All in favor? >> I [clears throat] any objections? Okay, motion carries. Okay, we will now get to our business portion of our meeting for tonight. Um before we go into our um our motion, so tonight we're going to be considering the approval of the new superintendent for Rancho Public Schools. I just wanted to take a moment and talk a little bit about it and some of the processes and and thank some individuals. Um I feel a little more emotional than I thought I would [laughter] interestingly. Um it has been a long few days and a couple of weeks and and even going into months. And so with that um I want
005to thank um some really key people in our district. um Lauren Hatch, um our chief legal counsel, um JC Oliver, Windham Kensley, and Kim Besley. They have they have done so much work um they have done so much work to make this even possible tonight as we as we began began this process as um it we knew we had a pretty aggressive timeline and um they made it happen and I know for for them it was a lot of stress and some long days and some long meetings and so we're so grateful uh for the time that was put forth so so that we could make this happen tonight. Um we also have in the boardroom tonight we have Ray and Associates and they have done a phenomenal job in helping us um and leading
006and guiding us along the way and we're grateful that they were able to be here present with us tonight um for as we go forward with this. But we started this out we had um 31 wonderful candidates and a lot of that is due to Dr. Cleveland and that she has stayed with us um in our district for uh for a long time and has built a wonderful district. And when people saw that there was a position open for Rio Rancho um public schools, they wanted to apply um because she has done such a great job in building our district and um has had such a great relationship with um with our city and with our state. And it was hard as a board to to bring that down and we did and over and
007many know and have been in the meetings over the last uh few days. Um we brought that down to three and um yesterday before we went into interviews um I stated they're all they are all great and each of these individuals would be fine and we would have good things would happen with each of them. And as we moved through those interviews, um it was and after it was talking for some time about um our future and who we just felt like at this time would be a really good fit. Um but like I said, each of them brought great attributes and it wasn't an easy decision. Um and we're so grateful to the public that they were all willing um and those who are internal external stakeholders. We had stakeholder meetings, we had community
008meetings, we had um meetings with principles um meeting after meeting and um my eyes were dried out and I was tired by the end and we had 90minute interviews with each candidate um yesterday and uh and it it's been a lot but it was it is worth it because it's important to us as a board um to know that we are finding uh who we believe to be the best individual at this time. And um is board is there anything I'm forgetting before we go into our motion for tonight? I feel like I feel like everyone's like, "Okay, um President Galbirth, can we can we get to the next part?" But truly, I also want to just thank the board. Um it we were here until about 9:00, I think, last night. And um it
009has been just an honor uh to serve with these individuals. Um they care. They care so much and I see that and I am so grateful for um for their dedication and for their leadership. So with that um we will go for a motion. >> Okay. Uh Madame President, this is board member Tyler. I would like to make a motion to approve Dr. Robert Dodd as the next superintendent of Rancho Public Schools. >> Board member Jeff Morgan. I second. Okay, we have a motion and we have a second. And JC, will you please take a roll call vote for us? >> Vice President Morgan, >> yes. >> Secretary Tyler, >> yes. >> Board member Trip, >> yes. >> Board member Miller, >> yes. >> President Gelbreth, >> yes. >> 50. >> Thank you. Um, so
010at this time, the board would like to give comments, but we would like to um ask Dr. Dodd to come out and to to be at the podium with us um this evening as we give some comments. SO, [applause] so um you you are good right there for a moment and we're going to give some comments to you and we wanted to just make sure that we could do that while you are out here and we want to just first say and I'm going to turn it over to the board but um we hid him as he came in today. So, it's been um we're so grateful that he stayed and so we're so grateful that you're here with us. He um all of our candidates, you know, the plan was to to leave this
011morning and we're really grateful that you chose to stay so you could be with us tonight. So, thank you first off for doing that. Thank you. Um so, we'll start uh with Jessica Tyler. Yeah, I would just first love to welcome you to New Mexico and to our district and to encourage our community to welcome you with extra with open arms. Um you will learn very quickly that New Mexico is a very warm um warm place with warm people. As you probably know, there was a lot of opinions out there on who should be our next superintendent. And like board president Galbreth stated, you know, opinions came from all directions. And so, but now is the time for everybody to rally around you and to ensure your success, our district's success, and our community success.
012And so, welcome. We're extremely proud to have you join us. I know you and your family are extremely excited as well. And um, welcome. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you, Dr. Beth Miller. Welcome to you, Dr. Dodd. We look forward to working with you. Um, you have our commitment as a board that we will do everything we can to help you be successful because this is about our children and their success. And so, we certainly want to work together toward that goal. I won't add any more that Jessica has already said, but we're just thrilled to have you here and and look forward to meeting your family as well. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. Uh Gary Trip. >> Thank you, Michael. >> Thank you, >> Dr. Dodd. Um I I
013really I really welcome you to the Rio Rancho community and Real Rancho School District. And I I really want to share uh with the community, you know, what I think I might see as the strongest traits in Gary Trip's head. and um amazing elementary, middle school, and high school experience. Just amazing. But I think about LBQ. I think about poverty, children in poverty. I think about minority children like myself, half Spanish, half white, and those all the minority kids that are in our district. I think about um single parents and I think that you're going to keep carrying the torch that this lady started and you're going to service all kids as Pope uh Francis said, "Love them all." And so um I wish you the best. I'll be here to support you uh wholeheartedly.
014Uh, I make good coffee. So, welcome to Rio Rancho and we're gonna we're gonna we're gonna really enjoy your time here. >> Thank you, sir. >> Thank you, Vice President Morgan. >> Just want to say congratulations. Welcome and looking forward to all the good things that you're going to be doing. Uh, you got some big shoes to fill, but we know you can do it. So, again, congratulations and thank you so much. Good luck to you. >> Thank you so much. Um, I'll give a couple comments and then I'd like for uh Dr. Cleveland to have an opportunity to speak after after I do. Um, something I just like I said, we we've spent some time we've since spent some time over the last over the last couple of days. Um, and I really wanted
015to be a part of every meeting that I could possibly be in so that I could see um each candidate and see the interactions and and New Mexico's funny um because sometimes you don't always know who you're talking to and um just because we're kind of a laid-back people. Um but what I saw um that I want to bring up is that Dr. Dodd was very good at talking to everyone and there was often times he was talking to some very important people that he didn't realize how important they were. Um, and it was it was it was good to see those interactions that you uh respect people and you um and you were willing to talk to everyone that was around you and it didn't feel like it was showy. It it was genuine.
016Um, and the other thing that that I'm I'm so grateful for too is and we remarked on it a few times is that you are very honest and there are times where you know any of us were in an interview or um and you could be like how can I soup this up to sound a little bit better for myself and you would just say nope I I nope like I can't do that you know or um and it was very nice to hear just you being honest about those things and I heard it often um throughout the last few days and so I'm really excited to get to know you better. I'm excited to have your family here. Um we are a great state um who loves to welcome people in, especially in this
017community. Um my family on my dad's side, we've been here for generations. On my mom's side, she's one of the great New Yorker migrants in the 70s who came out and um has, you know, helped to build this community and she's always felt welcomed. And so, um, I hope our community continues to continues to do that because you are a wonderful individual and have a wonderful family. So, so thank you. Thank you for for being out with us. Um, I'll go ahead and turn it to Dr. Cleveland. >> Thank you so much. Well, I want to congratulate you and u you know it has been quite a rigorous process almost a marathon it seemed like at times and uh and you just said before saying you rose out of 31 candidates and so I want
018to congratulate you. I also want you to know and I I've said it previously but I'll say it again. I work really hard to make this transition effective and successful >> and I don't have my microphone on. I was trying over [laughter] I was good. >> This gentleman usually is responsible. [laughter] >> He's a short timer. >> Okay. I I will say just briefly what I said before. Uh congratulations. Um it was a rigorous process. uh it was a marathon at times and you survived that and rose to the top and there were many very qualified candidates but you are a very qualified candidate and I just pledge to you that we'll make this transition as successful and effective as we can uh and uh and and I really hope that you will enjoy the
019superintendency in Rio Rancho as much as I have and uh a little emotional but this is a wonderful team and we have great staff And uh as you mentioned previously uh this is a great community and I think one of the things you this this community is different in many ways because so many of us have come from other places and built this community over the last 50 years and this community um has been very welcoming and it's not closed uh you know they they want to always do better and they have supported us every step of the way every bond election everything. And so I know they stand ready uh to step up and help you as well. And I believe that you will find uh people who are very willing uh to uh
020be be partners as we do the best things for our children and to continue to make this community a great place to to live and to teach and and and learn. And so again, I just want you to know that I think we have many wonderful days ahead in this district. and uh I uh I again just congratulate you and wish you and your family the very best. >> Thank you Dr. Cleveland. >> All right. Um thanks everyone. You know and I neglected to say we have three new board members who are out in the audience tonight and we're just really grateful that they could come out and support too. So thanks for being here. And if you didn't know um whoever sits on that side that is your job is to do the microphone.
021Um, so in just a moment, in just a moment, we are uh we're going to uh ask Dr. Dodd to give some comments. U we'd like to do our next item and then we would like you to um to give some comments. I know you have some things that you'd like to say to the community, but we'd like to just go ahead and and and go through the contract here. So, >> we want to make it official before we let you speak. >> Yeah, [laughter] >> that's a safe way to go. So, um, our next item is to consider the approval of the contract for our new superintendent, Dr. Robert Dodd. >> Madame President, this is board member Tyler. I would like to make a motion to approve the contract for our new superintendent. >>
022Board member Jeff Morgan. I second. >> Okay, we have a motion second. And JC, will you please take a roll call vote? >> Vice President Morgan, >> yes. >> Secretary Tyler, >> yes. >> Board member Trip, >> yes. Board member Miller. >> Yes. >> President Galbert. >> Yes. Motion carries 5. >> Thank you. Thank you. Very exciting. Go ahead. >> I did want to just offer because we don't have it in there, but the contract effective date is March 1. I think that will be a question that we definitely receive later. So, the contract start date is March 1 of 2026, which will allow um some transition period. >> Yeah. Thank you. Thank you for that. Is there anything else that we neglected that we need to talk about with that or do we feel
023like we have it? Yeah, I I have one more comment. I I just want to thank the board. Uh this was a very rigorous process, but boy, we all hung in there together, spent some long hours together, but we came to one agreement, and I just want to say thanks, guys. I really appreciate that. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. So, with that, um really quick to the new board again that you know, if you're in that chair, you also have a great job that you need to do is keeping me on track. So, um, but we'd like to give, um, Dr. Dodd, um, we'd like to give you an opportunity to give some comments. And once again, we're just so excited that you are here with us this evening
024and that it all worked out that you could be here, um, present with us. >> Thank you so much, >> Dr. Cleveland. I'm emotional, too. Uh, this is a big night for me. Um, good evening, everyone. Thank you to the board for your trust and thank you to the Rio Rancho community for the warmth and respect you've shown me throughout this process. I'm truly honored by this opportunity. I step into this role grounded in a simple idea that will guide my work as a superintendent every day. Honoring the past, building the present, and inventing the future. Rio Rancho Public Schools is a strong school district because of what a generation of educators, families, and leaders have built together. In particular, I want to thank Dr. Sue Cleveland for her decades of service and steady leadership.
025I've had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Cleveland to listen and learn. And I'm committed to a thoughtful and seamless transition that honors her remarkable legacy in the Rio Rancho public schools. I enter this community, your community, now our community, following humbly in the footsteps of a legend. Thank you, Dr. Cleveland. [applause] Building the present means focusing on what matters most right now. Beginning today, my responsibility is clear and personal. Every morning, I'll wake up focused on the success, safety, and future of nearly 17,000 students across our 21 schools. These are our children and they deserve schools that are strong, supportive, and focused on learning. Inventing the future means planning ahead with purpose. Next year's pre pre kindergarten students at Shining Stars are the class of 2040. The world they will graduate into will
026look different than today. And we have a responsibility to begin designing a school system that prepares them with strong academic foundations. practical skills and real opportunity. That work must be done carefully, thoughtfully, and of course, always together. My goal is simple. To ensure that Rio Rancho Public Schools remains a district families trust, educators are eager to serve, and students are proud to participate in to be wellprepared beyond graduation. Together, we can invent a future where Rio Rancho can be looked to as a national model for public education because of strong schools, steady leadership, and consistent results. I would be remiss if I didn't thank the many educators who have shaped me along the way, including my parents, both of whom who were educators, who taught me the value of public service, hard work, and giving
027back. And of course, my amazing wife, Jenny, and my two kids, Johnny and Nora. they're watching right now who have made many sacrifices for me to be at schools late into the evening and early in mornings. They are excited to become a part of the Rio Rancho community. Finally, I'm grateful for the welcome I've received. I'm committed to listening, to learning, and working closely with the board, students, staff, families, and community. Thank you for this remarkable opportunity. It's the opportunity of a lifetime. I'm ready to get to work. Thank you. >> Thank you, [applause] >> Dr. Dodd. We'd like to invite you. I'm trying to think. I'd like to do a picture. I think this is one of those We have this great book, right, that shows all of these pictures of our of our
028district over the years. And I think this is one of those moments where it would be nice to to do that. I'm just not sure. Should we should we go down? And we'd love you to be there, too. >> I'm not well dressed for a picture, you know. >> Yeah. >> All right. Middle of us in the middle. All right. One, two, three. Excellent. Thank you. [applause] >> [laughter] >> Okay. Um, it's funny how things hit you all at different times. Um what's wonderful is that we still have a whole lifetime with Dr. Cleveland, but definitely the next few months she'll still be with us and leading us and so we're grateful for that. Um board, is there any other further comments um before we adjourn for this evening? Um Dr. Cleveland, is there anything
029else? Um I I do and tonight is about Oh, I can. Yes, actually I was going to ask that if we wanted to do that. So um immediately following correct immediately following we'll have a press conference in the back um of this on the other side. So you have to go out the door and then you can go right into um the room that's there. There'll be an opportunity uh for that. Windom, is there anything else that you need to explain with that or is that is that sufficient? Okay. I can't tell I've been forgetting my words all night. It's been a little rough. But um uh it tonight is about our our um having you know Dr. dod here and so we're so grateful for that. But I um I also just and I
030promised that I wouldn't make it a big thing. [laughter] >> No, no, no, no. Um, just really fast, I just um tonight's the last meeting with um some of with three board members and um and I know I already gave my my thank yous, but I um I would be remiss to to not say something once again and and just to say I we were talking about you go through difficult things and it really bonds you and so we've been bonded um because we've been through a lot of stuff um but especially these last few weeks has really um has has it's been a lot and so it's really I think bonded us and I'm I'm grateful to have served with such wonderful people um uh and gotten to know them better. You know, I
031I bring this up often and I don't know if Gary always loves it, but Gary was my principal when I was when I was a senior and how sweet and wonderful it is that we live in such a wonderful place that now I can serve on the school board with him. Um I did not know Jeff Morgan, you know, I did not know him until we started and the people who campaigned for him. Um that was my first interaction and how much they loved him and he wasn't even running against anyone but they wanted to make sure that everyone knew who you were. Um and he has been a joy um and Jessica Tyler she actually taught my daughter during the pandemic and um she is such a strength um to our board uh with
032all those things. So I want to say just again thank you thank you thank you for all the hard work that you guys have done. Do you want to say anything? You can. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Um, Beth, did you want to add anything? Reaction. [applause] [laughter] >> I I told them I wasn't going to not say something. They were just going to have to live with that. So, >> and I did I did tease them before she adjourns that I don't think any other board will quite have the opportunity to ever have the mic drop that this board just did. [laughter] I'll say that to keep it light. You know, it's been a little emotional. Um, so yeah, we had to have some humor throughout this week to get through these meetings,
033but it it's been an honor and yeah, thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you all. And so with that, this meeting tonight is adjourned. Thank you everyone. I'm done. [applause] [cheering]