Los Lunas Schools
LLS
LLS Leadership
Susan D. Chavez
Acting Superintendent
Susan D. Chavez is a proud graduate of Los Lunas Schools. She is in her 23rd year of education, all with the Los Lunas Schools. Mrs. Chavez graduated from New Mexico State University with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Elementary and Special Education. Her Masters of Arts Degree is in Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies from the University of New Mexico. Mrs. Chavez leads the Special Services Department which includes the following: Early Childhood Education, Educational Technology, Federal Programs, Medicaid in the Schools, Social Emotional Learning, Special Education and Technology. Mrs. Chavez is a member of the Council for Exceptional Children, Council of Administrators in Special Education and the International Society for Technology in Education. One of her greatest accomplishments is serving the community that she was raised in and continues to reside. In her spare time Mrs. Chavez enjoys watching sports, traveling, and spending time with her husband and family.
Brian Baca
Deputy Superintendent
Maintenance & Construction, Safety & Security, Transportation
Brian Baca holds a New Mexico Public Education Department Professional Licensure in Administration (Level 100 - 3B) and Teaching (Level 400 - 3A). With a robust professional background, Mr. Baca has served as Assistant Superintendent of LLS since April 2020, and previously held roles including Director of Personnel (June 2011-March 2012), Director of Special Education (August 2007-June 2011), and Assistant Principal at Manzano Vista Middle School (August 2005-June 2006). Mr. Baca's teaching experience spans from 1994 to 2005 in various capacities, including as a Teacher of the Gifted at Daniel Fernandez Intermediate and at White Mountain Intermediate in Ruidoso, NM. Mr. Baca began his teaching career at Los Lunas Schools at Los Lunas High School in early 1994. Educationally, Mr. Baca participated in the Darden/Curry School Turnaround Program and Executive Leadership Program at The University of Virginia in 2012, 2013, 2008, and 2010, and earned an M.A. in Education Leadership and a B.S. in Psychology from The University of New Mexico in 2005 and 1993, respectively. He is also affiliated with several professional organizations, including the Sigma Chi Alumni Association and the Alumni Lettermen Club at the University of New Mexico. His accolades include being named Jostens Renaissance Coordinator of the Year in 2012, Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year for Los Lunas Schools in 2005, and District 2 AAA Softball Coach of the Year in 1996 and 1998.
Andrew Saiz
Assistant Superintendent
Personnel and Athletics
Mr. Andrew Saiz is a lifelong resident of Valencia County. He earned and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Special Education from New Mexico Highlands University in 1995. In 2008, he added a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from New Mexico Highlands University to his educational background. Mr. Saiz currently serves as the Chief Personnel Officer for Los Lunas Schools. He has filled many roles in his 29 years with Los Lunas Schools. Throughout his tenure with Los Lunas Schools, he has also devotedly served as: Special Education Teacher at the Elementary, Middle, and High School levels, Athletic Coach, IEP Facilitator, Dean of Students, Assistant Principal, Principal, and Director of Personnel. Mr. Saiz has had the privilege of observing thousands of students navigate the halls and campuses of our Los Lunas Schools. He considers it an honor to have been able to guide and support students as they excel in their public-school endeavors. Throughout the years he has been able to establish and maintain many meaningful and worthwhile relationships with students, colleagues, families, and community members. Mr. Saiz has maintained membership to many professional organizations throughout his career. He is a current member of the New Mexico School Personnel Association. He serves the American Association of School Personnel Administrators, where he is a member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. He is also a member of the National Council for the Advancement of Educator Ethics. Andrew and his wife, Natalie, have two sons and a daughter. Their children are all proud products of Los Lunas Schools and are currently attending college at either New Mexico State University or the United States Naval Academy.
Jessica Montano
Assistant Superintendent
Curriculum, Instruction, Accountability and Assessment
Los Lunas Schools announced Jessica Montano as the Interim Chief Academic Officer in December 2023. Jessica has been the Director of Secondary Learning Innovations for Los Lunas Schools for two and a half years. Prior to that, she was the Principal for Katherine Gallegos Elementary. She also previously served as Assistant Principal for Los Lunas Middle School and Valencia High School. Jessica was a secondary classroom teacher for 15 years before getting into administration and has served Los Lunas Schools for more than 23 years. She earned an administrative certification from ENMU, a masters in counseling from NMHU and bachelors in education from UNM. Jessica, her husband and her daughter are all Los Lunas High School graduates and her son is a proud Jaguar at VMS.
Sandra Traczyk
Chief Finance Officer
Finance, Purchasing, and Student Nutrition
The Chief Finance Officer (CFO) plays a critical role in overseeing the financial operations of Los Lunas Schools, ensuring effective management of finance, purchasing, and student nutrition. With a Level 2 Business Official licensure from the New Mexico Public Education Department since 2013, the current CFO of Los Lunas Schools, appointed in February 2023, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the position.
Graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of New Mexico in 1990, the CFO's career spans several key financial roles. Prior to becoming CFO, Sandra served as the Director of Finance at Los Lunas Schools from July 2010 to January 2023. Her experience also includes positions as a Financial Specialist in Curriculum & Instruction at LLS.
Before joining the educational sector, Sandra was the Senior Financial Analyst at Lovelace Sandia Health Systems, and held various accounting and managerial roles, including Divisional Accounting Manager at Sun Health Corporation and Accounting Supervisor at Horizon Healthcare Corporation. This extensive background equips the CFO with a robust understanding of both educational finance and broader financial management practices.
Sandra took a break from her career to be a stay at home mom until her daughter started Kindergarten. She also made a career shift from Private Accounting to working for Los Lunas Schools so she could work in the community where she lived and to be closer to her daughter's. Now, her plan is to continue to work at Los Lunas Schools until retirement.