Susan Chavez to lead Los Lunas Schools as new superintendent

Updated 2/27/25 to reflect new information.

LOS LUNAS — The Los Lunas Schools Board of Education announced at the Feb. 18 board meeting that Acting Superintendent Susan Chavez has been selected to lead the district as its new, permanent superintendent.

“I am very honored and blessed to serve our district in this capacity,” Chavez wrote in an emailed statement. “We have an incredible district with first class staff and extraordinary students. Thank you to our school board for having faith in me to lead our district.”

Chavez was selected by the board as acting superintendent in July 2024 following the board’s decision to place former superintendent Ryan Kettler on administrative leave due to allegations of misconduct. Following an investigation into the allegations, Kettler was officially terminated on Nov. 14.

The board began a brief search for a new superintendent in early February with the application window lasting 10 days — from Feb. 6-16. The board voted at a special meeting on Feb. 4 that they, themselves, would conduct the search and vet the candidates.

They also voted during that meeting to form a superintendent search advisory committee to help form the basis of interview questions for selected finalists. The BOE and committee were scheduled to meet Feb. 20, but that has since been canceled as no finalists were identified at the Feb. 18 meeting during which, the board reviewed the applications in a closed executive session lasting about half an hour.

Following the executive session, the board unanimously voted in approval of offering the position to Chavez effective July 1, 2025. They also voted in approval of scheduling an executive session at a later date to discuss contract details.

“I’m very shocked and I’m very honored,” said Chavez following the vote. “I love Los Lunas Schools; it’s a huge part of who I am.”

“We are going to put a lot of faith in you,” responded Board President Michelle Osowski. “We will become the premiere district.”

Chavez, a Los Lunas resident, has spent her entire career working at Los Lunas Schools. Her resume states that since 2001, she has served in a variety of capacities throughout the district as a general and special education teacher, inclusion support coach and educational diagnostician.

In 2012, she was named the director of special services, overseeing the special education department. From 2015 to 2024, she also served as assistant superintendent.

“I am a product of this school district and it is my moral imperative to serve our community,” wrote Chavez in her letter of interest submitted to the board. “Ultimately, our future demands that we do the best for our children. I am committed to perpetuating the educational opportunities for our students and to do the work necessary to ensure positive outcomes so that our students will be able to be successful in their choice of future endeavors.”

Chavez has a bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education and a master’s degree in language, literacy and sociocultural studies. In her letter of interest, she also noted she is currently pursuing a PhD in special education.

“I am well versed on current and seminal research, as well as, educational theories and philosophies, which I will incorporate into practice in this district,” she wrote. “I have a passion for education, which is a major reason why I chose to pursue a Doctorate. I am a lifelong learner and strive to improve myself each day.”

As stated on the district’s website, “Chavez plans to prioritize enhancing curriculum, improving student engagement, fostering community partnerships, and to continue building on the district’s commitment to excellence.”

“I am a team player and believe that teamwork is a cornerstone of our district,” Chavez wrote. “My varied positions in the district provided me the opportunity to build relationships and earn the respect of many employees across the district. I believe this is a strong foundation to support my role as the superintendent. I will continue to bring stability to our district, use my institutional knowledge, as well as, the momentum that has occurred this year, to catapult Los Lunas Schools to the next level.”

Osowski said in an email that the board received eight applications, but only two submitted completed employment applications. Of the eight applicants, only one submitted a completed and notarized criminal history affidavit as required per the application instructions.

According to information received from Osowski through an Inspection of Public Records Act request, the eight applicants were:

• Susan D. Chavez, LLS acting superintendent

• Robert Torrez, PhD, teacher/ principal at Haaku Community Academy in San Fidel, N.M.

• Keith Bausman, assistant superintendent of human resources at Hazelwood School District in Saint Louis, Mo.

• Edgardo Castro, PhD, chief academic and federal programs officer in Truth or Consequences Municipal School District

• Debra Fountain, PhD, founder/consultant of Focus Educational Consultants based in Houston, Texas

• Rachel Maldonado, ninth-12th grade founding principal at Duval MYcroSchool Charter High School in Jacksonville, Fla.

• Donald Moseley, a U.S. Army veteran, who most recently worked with the New Mexico National Guard in recruitment and retention

• Felix Fuentes, a foundations project lead in the drilling industry