Public Education Department

PED shakeup continues—two more top staffers leave

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Two more top-level employees at the state Public Education Department recently left their jobs, taking the number to at least five since the beginning of the year. Terese Vigil, who headed the PED’s human resources bureau, left the department in mid-February. Aimee Barabe, director of Strategic Outreach for the department, left around the same time period. Vigil and Barabe’s exits make at least five resignations from top-level PED staffers since the end of January. The three others were Deputy Secretary for Policy and Program Leighann Lenti, Chief Information Officer Michael Archibeque and National Assessment of Educational Progress and Internal Assessments State Coordinator Stephanie Gardner.

Public Education Department
desks classroom education

PED shakeup—three top staffers quit

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At least three top-level state Public Education Department staffers recently resigned, among them a deputy cabinet secretary, NM Political Report has learned. They are Deputy Secretary for Policy and Program Leighann Lenti, Chief Information Officer Michael Archibeque and National Assessment of Educational Progress and Internal Assessments State Coordinator Stephanie Gardner. Lenti is one of two deputies under Secretary Hanna Skandera, pulling in a $105,000 per year according to the state’s Sunshine Portal. The department’s other deputy cabinet secretary is Hipolito “Paul” Aguilar, who had been rumored to resign but told NM Political Report in February that he wasn’t doing so. Archibeque, who handled the department’s IT division, earned close to $96,000 for his salary.

Albuquerque Newsdesk

ABQ police academy director steps down

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For the second time this year, an Albuquerque Police Academy director is stepping down, according to a report by the Albuquerque Journal. Lt. Michael Archibeque’s last day as acting director of the academy is today, and he will be replaced Monday by Lt. J.J. Griego, the day-shift lieutenant for the Northeast Area Command, said Albuquerque Police Department officer Tanner Tixier, a spokesman. Archibeque replaced former director Joseph Wolf earlier this year and was an acting director of the academy. The Journal reported that Archibeque’s replacement may come from inside the department in order to expedite the hiring process. Tixier said police only immediately considered internal candidates for the position to ensure a director was in place in a timely manner.

Albuquerque Newsdesk

Former APD trainer sues department over retaliation claims

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A former Albuquerque police officer filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the Albuquerque Police Department on Friday. John Corvino filed a motion with the Bernalillo County district court asking for damages after he was allegedly the target of retaliation. According to the complaint, Corvino raised concerns about training deficiencies within the department and was subsequently reprimanded for his actions. The suit names the City of Albuquerque, APD chief Gorden Eden and two other employees of APD as defendants. The case dates back to 2013 when Corvino, then a trainer for APD, notified his superiors that instructors were training officers without proper certifications.