DR. ARSENIO ROMERO
SUPERINTENDENT
Dr. Arsenio Romero currently serves as the superintendent of Los Lunas Schools in Los Lunas, New Mexico. Previous to that Dr. Romero served as the superintendent of Deming Public Schools since June of 2017. He is also serving as Regent for New Mexico State University since January of 2020. His positive impact on pre-k-20 education has been felt across the State of New Mexico. During his tenure as superintendent, he implemented several major transformational practices to improve preK-12 education across New Mexico schools. This brought Deming Public Schools from the lowest performing school district, to a model for instructional practices, financial stability, and world-class Career Technical Education pathways. These accomplishments led to being awarded by the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents the 2019 National Superintendent of the Year.
Dr. Romero has also been a statewide leader for education. He is part of the New Mexico Governor’s transition team, lead the statewide initiative on COVID response as a member of the COVID-19 State Task Force, and currently serves on the Governors Racial Justice Committee.
Dr. Romero is also a champion for children that are at-risk and with special needs. He has fought to increase funding and create legislation to support students across the State of New Mexico. Legislation has increased student funding, increased teacher salaries, and increased instructional learning time for students.
Dr. Romero also serves as an adjunct professor for New Mexico State University and Western New Mexico University. In this role, he is able to shape and mold the educational leaders of tomorrow. He also works with the New Mexico Public Education Department to mentor and coach principals and superintendents from across that state.
He is currently a member of the Chiefs for Change 5th cohort. He has worked extensively with the University of Virginia’s school turnaround program with success in multiple educational settings and school districts.
BRIAN BACA
DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT
AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
- Personnel
- Athletics
- Safety & Security
NMPED PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE
Administration, Level 100 - 3B
Teacher, Level 400 3A
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Assistant Superintendent Los Lunas Schools, Los Lunas, NM April 2012 - Present
Director of Personnel Los Lunas Schools, Los Lunas, NM June 2011 - March 2012
Director of Special Education Los Lunas Schools, Los Lunas, NM August 2007 - June 2011
Assistant Principal Manzano Vista Middle School, Los Lunas, NM August 2005 - June 2006
Teacher of the Gifted Daniel Fernandez Intermediate, Los Lunas, NM October 2001 - August 2005
Teacher White Mountain Intermediate, Ruidoso, NMAugust 1994 - October 2001
Teacher
Los Lunas High School, Los Lunas, NM January 1994 - May 1994
EDUCATION
Darden/Curry School Turn Around Program, The University of Virginia July of 2012 and 2013
Darden/Curry Executive Leadership Program, The University of Virginia July 2008 and 2010
M.A. in Education Leadership, The University of New Mexico 2005
B.S. in Psychology, The University of New Mexico 1993
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
- Sigma Chi Alumni Association, University of New Mexico
- Alumni Lettermen Club, University of New Mexico
- Jostens Renaissance Coordinator of the Year 2012
- Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year for Los Lunas Schools 2005
- District 2 AAA Softball Coach of the Year 1996 and 1998
CLAIRE CIEREMANS
CHIEF FINANCE OFFICER
AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
- Finance and Insurance
- Purchasing
- Maintenance
- Custodial
- Construction
- Student Nutrition
NMPED PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE
Level Two Professional School Business Official
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Chief Finance Officer
Los Lunas Schools, Los Lunas, NM January 2010 - Present
Finance Director
Los Lunas Schools, Los Lunas, NM January 2007 - December 2009
Accounting Supervisor-Los Lunas Schools
Los Lunas, NM 1999 - December 2006
Financial Specialist
Los Lunas Schools, Los Lunas, NM August 1996 - 1999
EDUCATION
Darden/Curry Executive Leadership Program July 2007 - 2008
The University of Virginia
B.A. in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance
The University of New Mexico 1997
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
- Business Official of the Year 2012
- Current Treasurer 2007 - Present
Susan D. Chavez
Assistant Superintendent of Special Services
AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Special Services
Educational Technology
NMPED PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE
Administrative - Level Three-B, Pre K-12
Instructional Leader (Teacher) — Level Three A, K - 8 Elementary
Instructional Leader (Special Education) – Level Three A, PK – 12
Educational Diagnostician, Level Three
Endorsement in Teaching English to Speaker of Other Languages
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Assistant Superintendent of Special Services
Los Lunas Schools, Los Lunas, NM April 2015 – Present
Director of Special Education
Los Lunas Schools, Los Lunas, NM February 2013 – April 2015
Coordinator of Special Education
Los Lunas Schools, Los Lunas, NM September 2012 – February 2013
Educational Diagnostician
Los Lunas Schools, Los Lunas, NM September 2008 – Present
IEP Facilitator
Sundance Elementary School, Los Lunas, NM August 2011 – August 2012
IEP Facilitator
Peralta Elementary School, Los Lunas, NM November 2007 – May 2011
Adjunct Instructor, Fall 2006
University of New Mexico, Valencia Campus, Tome, NM
First Grade Teacher
Peralta Elementary School, Los Lunas, NM August 2003 – May 2008
Special Education Teacher
Peralta Elementary School, Los Lunas, NM December 2001 – May 2003
EDUCATION
M.A. in Language, Literacy, and Socio Cultural Studies, University of New Mexico 2004
B.S. in Elementary and Special Education, New Mexico State University 2001
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
- ASCD Member
- Council for Exceptional Children Member
- Council for Learning Disabilities
- Council for Special Education Administrators Member
- Peralta Elementary Certified Employee of the Year – 2007
- Who’s Who Among American Teachers