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Kristin Wood-Hegner is a mom, a public servant, a safety expert, and an educator. Kristin is running for Albuquerque School Board because it's time to protect our students, provide inclusive education, and to create a better APS for our students. Every APS student deserves a world-class education that honors, uplifts, and respects their identities as the next leaders of New Mexico.
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
You may know me from school as the very proud mom of an amazing APS student, or maybe we met in front of Smith’s when you purchased cookies from my Girl Scout. As president of a local non-profit, I may have listened to your story and connected you to resources. Perhaps we know each other through my public safety career, where I’ve managed millions of dollars to protect children and families. However you know me, with our shared stories in mind, I’m humbly asking to represent you on the Albuquerque School Board in District 7.
Like many families in the Northeast Heights, I’ve been my child’s relentless advocate in the fight for school-based services and support. Having taught in classrooms on three continents, I also understand our teachers are overworked, underpaid, underappreciated, and meeting diverse student needs while receiving limited district support. As your school board representative, I will be your relentless advocate to ensure our teachers and students receive the support they need to succeed.
I’m proud to have spent the past fifteen years addressing human trafficking, sexual abuse, and domestic violence. I’ve coordinated and collaborated with police officers, victim advocates, and prosecutors to hold perpetrators accountable, support survivors, and improve our justice system. I’ll utilize my expertise to cultivate community-led solutions to secure our schools and keep our kids safe.
One of my most cherished memories is walking the graduation stage for my master’s degrees, scanning the crowd until my eyes landed on my toddler beaming with pride. Not only will I leverage my advanced degrees in governmental and educational management to improve our public education system, I’ll bring my core values of hard work, inclusion, and resilience.
Something has to change. Despite APS spending private-school figures per student, our schools aren’t safe, students aren’t getting the support they need, and our community isn’t being heard. I’m ready to work together with you to protect our kids, improve the quality of education, and implement a common sense budget while defending our schools from political attacks.
I look forward to meeting you and earning your support.
With gratitude,
Kristin Wood-Hegner
Kristin Wood-Hegner, APS District 7
My Platform:
Protect our Students
Student Safety is the first priority for most APS parents. As a mom herself, Kristin believes that each member of our campus communities deserves a safe classroom.
Expand Mental Health & Prevention Services
> Hire more School Counselors and Psychologists to meet national standards > Implement early intervention strategies for self-harm and violent ideation. Partner with community organizations to provide suicide prevention and substance abuse services on campus
Address Bullying, Harassment, and Violence on Campus
> Protect our students from sexual abuse and dating violence by enshrining Title IX protections in our district as they are being dismantled at the federal level. No child should have to attend class with their abuser, attacker, or stalker. > Create more avenues for students and families to report bullying, engage in the resolution process, and receive support and early intervention services.
Shield students from political attacks
> Protect professional standards of confidentiality and prioritize LGBTQ2s+ student safety > Ensure District policies against ICE cooperation are enforced. > Work with the state legislature to ensure special education services protections and funding levels are maintained no matter what happens at the federal level.
Provide inclusive education for every APS student
Regardless of background, race, religion, ethnicity, gender, orientation, or ability.
Special Education & Students with Disabilities
> Every child has a right to accessible education. > Make campuses more accessible for neurodivergent students. > Recruit and retain more school-based providers to address the shortage of services > Provide systems navigation support for families of students with disabilities.
Multicultural Education
> Support quality multicultural programs and language access to deliver relevant education and keep students in engaged in school. > Offer curriculum that affirm students’ heritage, history, and culture. > Ensure classrooms are anti-racist, safe, and inclusive, so every child feels they belong.
LGBTQ2S+ Students
> Direct the Superintendent to work with community leaders to conduct a full review of APS policies to ensure compliance with New Mexico civil rights protections.
Students from Low-Income Families
> Partner with community organizations to support APS families with free and low-cost services > Recruit and retain more school bus drivers, enhance bus routes, and improve safety at bus stops.
Create a Better APS for our Students
Support & Retain Educators to create stronger campuses
> Address bullying in the workplace and develop supportive environments to improve teacher retention. > Provide quality professional development opportunities and work with teacher’s unions to improve workplace > Ensure safe working conditions, such as providing air conditioning in every school.
Ensure Transparency
> Restore professionalism, ensure community members have a line of communication to their elected officials, and implement stronger oversight measures for Open Meetings Act compliance.
Create equitable, smart budgets.
Budgets should reflect the needs of each campus community, so that every APS Dollar goes towards improving the educational experience of students, families, and teachers.
Respect Community Leadership
> Remove language from the District’s Governance policy that impedes on the Board’s ability to address community concerns > Ensure Albuquerque’s experts and community members are leading the way at APS— not corporations.
