As students prepare to return to Albuquerque Public Schools, district leaders are addressing parent concerns regarding campus safety, air conditioning, and declining enrollment. The district is implementing new measures to ensure student safety, including the use of weapon detectors at sports stadiums.

Campus Safety Efforts

According to APS Deputy Superintendent of Operations Antonio Gonzales, the district saw a reduction in weapons on campus last year, but any weapon on campus is still unacceptable. To address safety concerns, the district is implementing new measures, including the use of weapon detectors at sports stadiums and managing cooling systems to prepare for triple-digit temperatures.

Each school is taking a tailored approach to safety, which includes clear bag policies at eight participating campuses this year. APS Superintendent Gabriella Durán Blakey emphasized the role parents and adults play in keeping campuses safe, encouraging them to stay involved in their child’s education and report any concerns.

Cooling Systems and Enrollment

The district is managing extreme heat with about 22,000 cooling systems district-wide. Approximately one-third of the systems use refrigerated air, while the remainder rely on evaporative cooling, which can be less effective in triple-digit temperatures. Meanwhile, APS is preparing for a decrease in the student population this year, with a decline of about 1,500 students expected due to a decrease in birth rates.

Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.