Teachers First, Students Second: Inside the New APS Board’s Union Agenda

The recent Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) Board of Education election marked a decisive power shift, as the Albuquerque Teachers Federation (ATF) regained control from business-backed reformers. The return of long-time union leader Ellen Bernstein—often described as ruling with an “iron fist”—signals a renewed era of union dominance within APS governance. Under the new board, priorities are expected to tilt toward improving teachers’ working conditions, pay, and autonomy rather than addressing student performance. Bernstein’s philosophy, critics argue, places educators’ interests above student outcomes. This shift reverses four years of what observers describe as “significant gains” under business-supported members who focused on accountability and performance metrics. Eddy Aragon notes that non-union teachers may again feel marginalized as the board realigns with union demands, including calls for higher pay and lighter workloads. Superintendent Gabriella Blakey’s evaluation criteria are also expected to change, emphasizing classroom environment and teacher satisfaction instead of academic results. The union remains skeptical of technology use and standardized testing, viewing both as distractions from “authentic teaching.” Despite APS spending nearly $16,000 per student, academic results remain dismal. Data from nationsreportcard.gov reveal APS ranks among the nation’s lowest-performing urban districts—surpassing only Detroit, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. In fourth-grade math, only 26% of students reach proficiency, dropping to 17% by eighth grade. Reading scores show similar stagnation, with fewer than one in four students proficient. Union endorsements proved powerful during the election, overshadowing fundraising advantages by business-aligned candidates. The closure of Taft Middle School and the loss of reform-minded board members like Danielle Garcia further reinforced union momentum. Aragon warns that this political realignment—mirroring patterns seen in the Albuquerque Police Department—may prioritize labour comfort over public results, leaving both classrooms and city governance struggling for accountability.