BY ELISA ENRIQUEZ
LAPS Parent

I sincerely appreciate the hard working staff, teachers, and administration at Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS). With rare exceptions, I have had positive and supportive experiences over the past 13 years. Between 2022 and January 2024 LAPS had three different Superintendents while covid-19 pandemic protocols were still in effect. Our current Superintendent, Jennifer Guy, was a constant presence throughout this time and I appreciate her leadership. She is known as a trustworthy leader of integrity by many, myself included. 

LAPS has been criticized around diversity and inclusion efforts in recent years. There has been frustration about not having diversity and inclusion issues addressed. Really good questions have been asked of the LAPS administration, who serve a district where the majority of students, teachers and administrators are privileged and White (including myself and my children). Lauren Coupland raised some of these questions and concerns in an October 2023 Letter to the Editor to the Los Alamos Reporter, LAPS Should Be Transparent About Successes and Shortcomings. This letter had me reflect on how difficult it can be to acknowledge our own shortcomings, both as individuals and as a group. 

LAPS has made a recent positive change by creating the Director of Inclusive Schools position. This is a step in the right direction. Andrea Determan accepted the position less than five months ago and is a highly respected, committed community leader and former teacher. She is responsible for supporting the district’s efforts in addressing equity and creating more inclusive schools. Given the short time in this new position, Andrea needs time to navigate the concerns and given the opportunity to help impact change. 

I believe that LAPS is up to the challenge of becoming more inclusive, that people want to do the right thing, and that these conversations are hard. Ongoing dialogue, transparency, and a multi-pronged approach is still needed I encourage us to reflect on the words written by King, whose legacy is celebrated on what would have been his 95th birthday, January 15 “We must use time creatively, in the knowledge that the time is always ripe to do right.” – Letter from Birmingham Jail, Alabama, 16 Apr. 1963.