New Mexico is on the hunt for a new Secretary for the state’s Public Education Department, responsible for overseeing K-12 schools. Arsenio Romero, who held the position for approximately a year and a half, resigned abruptly on Wednesday with immediate effect. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, in a statement, expressed that interviews for Romero’s replacement will commence promptly.

Romero’s resignation comes as he is also a finalist in the search for a new president at New Mexico State University, with a decision expected by the end of September. According to Michael Coleman, a spokesperson for the governor, Lujan Grisham presented Romero with a choice to resign and pursue the NMSU position or to remain in his current role and withdraw from the candidacy at NMSU.

The Governor emphasized the importance of the Public Education Department Secretary role in the state, highlighting the need for full commitment to the position. This development underscores the challenges the department has faced in improving educational outcomes, with a significant portion of students failing to meet proficiency standards in math and reading.

Furthermore, the Public Education Department has struggled with retaining a Cabinet secretary during Governor Lujan Grisham’s tenure, with Romero being the fourth person to occupy the position since 2019. The search for a new secretary signifies the state’s ongoing efforts to address educational concerns and ensure effective leadership within the education department.