Taos Municipal Schools officials warned the district could see reduced state funding next school year after enrollment fell by 104 students since October 2025, a 6.2 percent drop from 1,688 to 1,584.
Board hearing and superintendent’s response
At the Oct. 28 board of education meeting, Superintendent Antonio Layton Jr. described the decline as “pretty big” and said the cabinet and principals will meet to develop a response. He noted that while the district graduated a large class last year, incoming numbers are falling short, prompting a review of the impact on the State Equalization Guarantee (SEG).
How the SEG works
The 1974 Public School Finance Act uses the SEG formula to guarantee each public school enough operational funding. Funding calculations rely on enrollment counts taken on the 40th, 80th and 120th days of the school year. Because the district lacks growth on the 40th‑day count, it will not receive additional growth funding for the current year.
Finance Director Reiner Martins explained that the 40th‑day data only affects the current SEG, while the average of the 80th‑ and 120th‑day counts determines the initial SEG for the next fiscal year.
Current enrollment snapshot
As of Oct. 27, the district’s 40th‑day enrollment numbers were:
- Arroyos del Norte Elementary: 94 students
- Enos Garcia Elementary: 290 students
- Ranchos de Taos Elementary: 188 students
- Taos Cyber Academy: 17 students
- Taos High School: 674 students
- Taos Middle School: 321 students
Staff will conduct physical head counts to verify these figures and then work with principals on possible solutions to present to the board.
Attendance trends and academic focus
Despite the enrollment dip, student attendance has improved, rising from an average of 89 percent in the 2025‑2026 school year to 91.6 percent so far in 2026‑2027. Taos Cyber Magnet School and Taos High School posted the highest attendance rates in September.
Taos High School principal Emy Martinez‑DeHerrera said 39 percent of high‑school students scored proficient in science, four points below the district average. She announced more frequent short‑cycle assessments to gauge student progress every three to four weeks, a shift from the traditional end‑of‑period testing.
Portrait of a Graduate initiative
The board approved a new “Portrait of a Graduate” framework, developed by students, teachers and parents. The plan, required by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s House Bill 171, identifies six core skills for graduates: critical thinking, emotional intelligence, perseverance, lifelong learning, respect and financial literacy. The bill also allows career‑technical electives and internships to count toward core graduation requirements.
Community garden program expansion
Board members expressed strong support for the Taos Community Schools Initiative’s garden program, which gives students hands‑on experience in agriculture, nutrition and cultural traditions. Garden coordinator Nikki Caine highlighted projects at Enos Garcia Elementary, Taos Middle School and Taos High School, including planting and grinding blue corn.
Caine asked the board to consider making her position permanent and to fund additional grow domes, greenhouses and mentorship opportunities for older students. Board President Mark Flores pledged to advocate for funding if it becomes available.
Next steps
The district will continue physical head counts, explore enrollment‑boosting strategies, and seek additional budget resources to sustain programs like the garden initiative. Superintendent Layton emphasized the board’s commitment to addressing the enrollment challenge while maintaining strong attendance and academic outcomes.
Original reporting: Taos News — read the source article.
