Los Lunas Schools superintendent places director of safety and security on administrative leave

LOS LUNAS — A long-time employee of Los Lunas Schools is on administrative leave and the district is staying silent as to why, refusing to even verify he has been put on leave.

Desi Garcia, the director of safety and security for LLS, did confirm to the News-Bulletin he was placed on administrative leave on Tuesday, March 18, by interim Superintendent Susan Chavez.

“She said there was some kind of external party conducting an investigation based on a complaint, but I was told nothing else. Nothing, nothing, nothing,” Garcia said last month.

When contacted on April 1, Chavez said she cannot comment on the matter because it is a personnel matter. Asked if she could verify Garcia was put on administrative leave and what his current employment status was, Chavez said she could not comment because it is a personnel matter.

The News-Bulletin asked if Garcia was at work that day, and she gave the same response.

As of April 1, Garcia said he’s had no communication with anyone from the district or the superintendent since he was put on leave, and has not been contacted by any investigator.

“I don’t know why this happened. I’ve been there 18 years and never had a negative evaluation,” he said.