LLS Board of education places superintendent on paid administrative leave; appoints acting superintendent

UPDATE: At the July 23 BOE meeting, the board unanimously voted to appoint Susan Chavez, assistant superintendent of academics, as the new acting superintendent starting July 24.

Following the vote, Montano told the board their decision to place Chavez in this role is the “best decision this board could have made.”

“Ms. Chavez is a Los Lunas High School graduate and a lifelong community member and she has served for 23 years,” said Montano. “Her entire career has been dedicated to this community. She has the respect of her peers and is always making decisions to put students first and I thank you because this evening you did the same.”

Chavez said it’s an honor and privilege to serve LLS and she looks forward to being acting superintendent.

“We have an amazing district and it’s just such an honor and I’m glad the board has faith in me to take on the role as acting superintendent and I’m really excited to welcome our students and staff back to school,” she said.

LOS LUNAS — Just a couple weeks before the start of the new school year, the Los Lunas Schools Board of Education voted at a special meeting July 16 to place LLS Superintendent Ryan Kettler on paid administrative leave.

The board spent almost four hours in executive session that evening discussing “conduct issues brought to the attention of the board” as well as details pertaining to the superintendent’s contract and annual evaluation.

Once out of executive session, which is a private meeting only the board is to be involved in, board member Bruce Bennett made a motion “to place superintendent Dr. Ryan Kettler on administrative leave with pay pending an investigation into allegations of misconduct.”

Board president Michelle Osowski seconded the motion and voted in approval. Board members Bruce Bennett and David Vickers also voted in approval, and board members Justin Talley and Monica Otero voted in opposition, leaving the motion to pass on a 3-2 vote.

Talley then nominated Jessica Montano, assistant superintendent of school leadership, to be the acting superintendent, “at least for the next week until we can come up with who will take the interim position while Dr. Kettler is on leave.”

“I know, generally, that would fall on (deputy superintendent Brian Baca) but as he has other responsibilities coming up with the state legislative session, I feel it would be best for someone else to do that,” said Talley.

The News-Bulletin reached out to both Osowski and Kettler for comments.

Osowski said in a text message her statement at this time is, "The Board of Education strictly adheres to all Board policies, as well as state laws and regulations. Personnel matters are kept confidential. The Board will continue to work diligently on behalf of the Los Lunas Public Schools community. We appreciate the community's continued support."

Kettler said in a text message he would provide a statement regarding the allegations of misconduct if he knew what the accusations were that the board is bringing against him.

“As it stands currently, I have no idea what the basis for their action was,” said Kettler. “It is a mystery to me why they are refusing to be transparent.”

Montano said the motion to appoint her as acting superintendent was made specifically for a week because a decision regarding who will take on the interim position is planned to be discussed at the next BOE meeting on Tuesday, July 23.

“I’m completely honored they have the confidence in me to name me (acting superintendent) for this time,” said Montano. “I’m dedicated to this district. I spent my entire career here, so I am honored and I know there is work to be done and I’m excited to get it done.”