Dr. Deborah Elder began her new role as Interim Superintendent of Los Lunas Schools , replacing Superintendent Dr. Arsenio Romero, who recently accepted the position as the New Mexico Public Education Department Secretary.

“I am grateful to serve as the interim superintendent of Los Lunas Schools,” says Dr. Elder. “I share the board’s clear focus on student outcomes and I am truly grateful for the trust they have put in me to carry on the vision started under Dr. Arsenio Romero.”

Dr. Elder joined the Los Lunas Schools as Chief Academic Officer of Instruction, Accountability, and Innovation in 2021. Her record of accomplishment spans nearly three decades, beginning as an elementary teacher, accountability specialist, assistant principal, principal, and executive director of innovation. In the Los Lunas Schools, she established the Learning Innovations office to support educators in improving student learning outcomes.

Board President Tina Garcia says Dr. Elder was a clear choice as interim superintendent.

“I wanted to bring someone in with the least disruption to the district. Dr. Elder is already overseeing the direction that Dr. Romero has in place and I wanted that to continue,” expresses Ms. Garcia.

Valencia High School Principal Albert Aragon and Katherine Gallegos Elementary Principal Jeff Hartog are excited for her to lead the district.

“I am excited to move forward in the direction that our district is going,” says Mr. Aragon. “I look forward to continuing to work under her leadership.”

“I trust that she will keep LLS moving forward to achieving all of the goals that we have set for our schools and especially our students,” states Mr. Hartog.

She looks forward to deepening her relationships across the community to ensure LLS continues to accelerate learning.