APS superintendent gets contract extension

By Rodd Cayton, City Desk ABQ

Gabriella Durán Blakey is now set to lead Albuquerque Public Schools through June 2028. 

The APS Board of Education Wednesday night voted to extend Blakey’s contract by two years, citing the district’s progress toward key goals.

Board members discussed the possible extension in an executive session, then returned to open session and unanimously approved it.

“The superintendent and her administration are working diligently toward an improvement of student outcomes, and over the course of the past seven-plus months she’s been able to demonstrate progress toward those goals in our regular monitoring sessions,” board Vice President Courtney Jackson said following Wednesday’s vote.

The extension was recommended by a board committee, which reported demonstrated progress toward the goals, identified in the district’s Emerging Stronger Giants strategic plan as improvement in elementary-school reading, middle math, college and career readiness and improvement in skills, habits and mindsets needed for success.

“I’m gratified by the board’s faith in the momentum we’ve begun to build in APS,” Blakey said. “We’re only in the initial stages of improvement, but I feel we’re on our way to creating a better educational future for our students. That’s due in large part to a team effort – our teachers, our staff, our families, and most of all, our kids. More than any single individual, our focus is on the children of Albuquerque, and I’m eager to move forward.”

Blakey’s salary will remain at $295,000. She was named superintendent in February 2024, replacing Scott Elder, who retired in June.

Blakey became acting superintendent in March and officially started her position July 1. She was chief operations officer before taking the top job.