Rio Rancho schools seek public input on long-term strategy
The district is holding a series of meetings to define its priorities for students entering preschool now.
By Alina Marshall ·
Rio Rancho residents have a new opportunity to shape the educational path for children currently in preschool. The district is collecting feedback to determine how it will serve that specific cohort through their graduation year in 2040. This initiative aims to define the standards of success for students, teachers, and the administrative structure.
The planning process, named Horizon 2040, was created by Superintendent Dr. Robert Dodd. It is a strategic framework intended to update the district’s long-term goals. Dodd stated that the plan should serve as a model for other school districts in New Mexico. The primary goal is to establish a clear route for student achievement after high school.
The district identified three core areas for this strategy: student success, school success, and district success. Community meetings are designed to clarify what these definitions mean in practice. Dodd emphasized that public feedback is the most valuable asset in this process. He noted that the district’s immediate priority is to increase the volume of community input it receives.
A meeting was held on Nov. 5 at Rio Rancho High School. This was the second of four sessions planned to gather public opinion. Staff, students, board members, and parents participated in the discussion. The gathering focused on identifying specific methods to improve student outcomes.
The next in-person meeting is set for Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. It will take place at Maggie Cordova Elementary, located at 1500 Veranda Drive SE. A virtual option is available for residents who cannot attend in person. That online session is scheduled for Nov. 19. Participants can access the link through the district website at rrps.net/article/3190350/.
Dodd said the district will hold additional meetings over the coming year. These sessions will continue to refine the strategic plans based on the data collected. He described the feedback as useful and noted that residents have specific ideas about the future. Dodd argued that the plan must remain active to stay relevant for students over the next several years.
