http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoBxtLgsTIM&feature=youtu.be
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez visited Arrowhead Park Early College High School to celebrate a grant from The Daniels Fund to build more schools like it.
Her visit came in the midst of the shooting at a Roswell middle school. Here at Arrowhead, she emphasized her passion for educators.
“They have pulled together in such an amazing way…every counselor stopped what they were doing and showed up the next day,” said Martinez.
The Daniels Fund donated a half million dollars that was matched by the state’s public school system.
Martinez, hoping the Legislature passes her budget that includes another half million dollars toward early-college schools, was here to celebrate this donation already in the works.
Stacie Allen, CEO of The Bridge of Southern New Mexico that works with schools in Dona Ana County, was thrilled.
“We want these students…have that career technical education…create that pipeline…to the workforce,” said Allen.
The first group of seniors at Arrowhead Park will soon graduate.
“Eighty-one of those 109 students are gonna graduate with their high school diploma, an associate’s degree or an industry certification…what an amazing opportunity,” said Allen.
George Ruth is chair of The Bridge of Southern New Mexico.
“The return we get as a community…more kids are graduating…increases their potential for income long-term,” said Ruth.
Denver-based Daniels Fund recently changed its strategy from nine funding areas to two -- early childhood education and K12 education reform….Education reform is what drew them to Arrowhead.
Bill Fowler is Senior Vice President of the grants program at The Daniels Fund.
“We’re very excited to expand the Arrowhead Park…to ten communities around the state," said Fowler.
Many of those schools will be outside Las Cruces, but Superintendent of Las Cruces Public Schools Stan Rounds is excited that Arrowhead has been the model and is already expanding.
"As we stand here, right next door to us is a 12 million dollar facility for the second part of our early college structure,” said Rounds.