Diane Denish: Danielle Gonzales deserves to be re-elected to APS board

This opinion piece appeared in the Albuquerque Journal on October 26, 2025.

Are you one of those Albuquerque voters who is already looking beyond the local election to the governor’s race or the 2028 presidential election? Let’s hope not, because the city election now in progress has some important races to think about.

The current Albuquerque election gives voters a chance to select their mayor, city councilors, and — importantly — school board members. It’s that last group on which I want to focus.

In 2019, House Bill 407 changed how school board elections are held. For decades, there were stand-alone elections scheduled in February, the coldest month of the year — when turnout was abysmal. In one year, during a below-zero freeze, only 2% of eligible voters showed up. Now, school board elections are part of the regular local Albuquerque election. That change matters because in the past a low turnout meant school boards often governed without a true mandate from their communities.

One consequence of moving these elections to the municipal ballot, where more voters participate, was that the influence of the Albuquerque Federation of Teachers was diminished on the Albuquerque Public Schools Board. When the 2019 law passed, some labor unions, including educators, argued that the change would reduce their influence — and they were right. That shift has been healthy for APS, for families and most of all, for students. Serving on a school board is no easy task. It’s unpaid, heavily scrutinized and often thankless. Members make difficult decisions, and inevitably, some families are unhappy. The most controversial decisions often involve school consolidations and closures. Parents may respond with anger, and board members become the targets.

There’s no better example than in District 3, where incumbent board member, board President Danielle Gonzales, has been targeted by AFT and some parents upset about the repurposing of Taft Middle School. Some elected representatives, having been persuaded by union leaders, have joined the opposition. What critics overlook is that demographic shifts and declining enrollment make such changes unavoidable. Despite misinformation from her critics circulating in the community, this process at APS has been underway for years and has involved multiple public meetings and opportunities for input.

For context, Gonzales surprised AFT in 2021 when she defeated their endorsed candidate — the first election after the law changed. A proud APS graduate, Gonzales ran a student- and family-centered campaign focused on improving outcomes and expanding career opportunities for students. In 2023, AFT was caught off guard when Janelle Astorga defeated their chosen candidate, Robert Trujillo, who had been poorly vetted. In 2024, Gonzales again defied expectations, earning the support of her colleagues to become president of the board.

Gonzales, raised in her district and a former teacher herself, has built an impressive career in education and nonprofit leadership at both local and national levels. In 2025, she received the Medallion of Excellence from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute for her work in education policy, community engagement and leadership. Her efforts have consistently focused on improving educational outcomes, expanding equity and building systems that support students and families, especially those historically underserved.

And now, her leadership along with the hard work of APS administrators and teachers is paying off. Data revealed this week shows APS student scores in math and reading are improving after years of stagnation. Additionally under Gonzales’ leadership, the board hired an exceptional superintendent, Gabriella Blakey — another Albuquerque native deeply committed to student success and equity.

On a personal note, I’ve known Gonzales for nearly 30 years. I’ve watched her learn, grow and become exactly the kind of change agent APS needs and a proven leader in tough times. Improved student outcomes benefit everyone — students, families, teachers, APS and New Mexico.

She deserves re-election.