Justin Talley
Age: 46
Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Electrical engineer
Highest level of education: Master of Science degree in electrical engineering
Previously held elected office: None
Have you ever been arrested, charged with or convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanor or any felony offenses in New Mexico or any other state? If so, explain. “No arrests or convictions.”
- What in your experience, education, etc., makes you qualified for this position?
“I have been active in the school system as a parent and community member. I have a vested interest in the school district and its policies, as I have had, currently have, and will continue to have children in the district.”
- How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process of the board?
“I will continue to encourage public comment at school board meetings. I will encourage community involvement in the various committees that prepare items for board consideration. As time allows I will encourage town hall type meetings where the community can voice concerns.”
- Help us understand the type of leader you will be by describing your two highest priorities for change in the school district — short term and long term.
“Short term: I want to ensure parents and community members feel comfortable communicating with the board.
Long term: I want to look at the budget and figure out how to get more money in the classroom benefiting students, and reduce bloated administrative spending.”
Sonya C’Moya
Age: 60
Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Senior sales account executive, Presbyterian Health Plan
Highest level of education: Bachelor of Arts (BA), University of New Mexico
Previously held elected office: Los Lunas Schools Board of Education: 2021-2022 (PED appointed); Los Lunas Schools Board of Education: 2016-2020 (elected); Los Lunas Schools Board of Education: 2014-2016 (board appointed)
Have you ever been arrested, charged with or convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanor or any felony offenses in New Mexico or any other state? If so, explain. “No.”
- What in your experience, education, etc., makes you qualified for this position?
“Having previously served on the LLSBOE for over seven years, holding every board and committee position during my tenure, I am extremely knowledgeable on the daily operations of the district. My degree and work experience focus on fiscal accountability. I bring both experience and stability to this position.”
- How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process of the board?
“By providing opportunities for community members (parents, district employees and employers in our community) to meet for coffee with LLS board and cabinet members on a monthly, informal basis. Increase participation with Rotary, and collaboration with government entities within the district. Continue parental and community surveys.”
- Help us understand the type of leader you will be by describing your two highest priorities for change in the school district — short term and long term.
“We need to address the high absenteeism, as this directly affects student academic success. We need to actively engage parents in advocating for their children. Provide opportunities for staff development for all employees in the district so they can achieve their personal and professional success. Dynamically approach recruitment and retention.”
Monica J. Otero
Age: 31
Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Manager of Otero Farms and Cowboy Rx and full time mom.
Highest level of education: College
Previously held elected office: n/a
Have you ever been arrested, charged with or convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanor or any felony offenses in New Mexico or any other state? If so, explain. “No.”
- What in your experience, education, etc., makes you qualified for this position?
“I am a God-fearing, well educated, hard-working mother of four (ages 12, 10, 8 and 1). Three of my children are currently attending schools in our district, so I know firsthand what is positively and negatively affecting the kids of our community.”
- How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process of the board?
“I encourage public comment and will work towards the best outcomes for our children and faculty members. The community deserves a school board that answers to the public.”
- Help us understand the type of leader you will be by describing your two highest priorities for change in the school district — short term and long term.
“My number one priority will always be the children and ensuring that they return to and remain the main focus. Our district has a large budget so my second priority is to assess it and see where the money is going and make sure it is being spent appropriately.”
Jedediah C. Dixon
Age: 45
Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Owner/manager of Mesa Tractor Inc.
Highest level of education: High school diploma
Previously held elected office: None
Have you ever been arrested, charged with or convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanor or any felony offenses in New Mexico or any other state? If so, explain. “DWI 20+ years ago.”
- What in your experience, education, etc., makes you qualified for this position?
“Business owners face many challenges ranging from customer relations to management of employees. LLSD would benefit from being run like a business to keep employee turnover low and produce responsible adults. My family is active at LLSD and still has a student to benefit from all LLSD has to offer.”
- How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process of the board?
“I plan to use public voice as my direction in most challenges/decisions made. Everyone can’t be pleased, therefore I will suggest the use of surveys on many topics like calendars, all-learner days and curriculum. I will work to represent the public and be responsible regarding public funds.”
- Help us understand the type of leader you will be by describing your two highest priorities for change in the school district — short term and long term.
“ Teacher retention and letting them teach! There needs to be a life class for high school students. Simple things like changing a tire, addressing an envelope and balancing finances. Trades have been lost at secondary grade levels. Companies across New Mexico and U.S. want to incorporate early apprenticeship programs at high school levels.”
Michelle I. Osowski Ph.D.
Age: 61
Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Education research and policy analysis for an independent social-science research organization located on the east coast.
Highest level of education: Ph.D. (Educational psychology)
Previously held elected office: No
Have you ever been arrested, charged with or convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanor or any felony offenses in New Mexico or any other state? No If so, explain. N/A
- What in your experience, education, etc., makes you qualified for this position?
“More than 30 years at the school, district and state levels (e.g., teaching, coaching, building administration, district and state-level roles at public K-12; and teaching and program coordination in post-secondary); and extensive federal and state policy analysis and compliance reporting at the state and federal levels.”
- How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process of the board?
“I have established a dedicated email address for communications specific to district topics ([email protected]) and respond to questions or post topics on various social media sites.”
- Help us understand the type of leader you will be by describing your two highest priorities for change in the school district — short term and long term.
“Short term: Provide comprehensive support for the superintendent, principals, and teachers to help them meet the academic needs of students.
Long term: Evaluate and establish policies that support and protect students and staff, set clear expectations for conduct and achievement, and restore the credibility of the District across the state.”
Important dates
Tuesday, Oct. 10
- Voter registration closes for all mail and online registrations.
New Mexico does offer same-day registration, so eligible voter can register to vote or update their voter registration and then vote on the same day at the county clerk’s office, at all early voting locations and any voter convenience center on Election Day. SDR cannot be used for absentee voting; it is only available for voters voting in person, on the same day they register or update their registration.
To use SDR bring one of the three following:
- New Mexico driver’s license or New Mexico identification card issued through the motor vehicle division of the taxation and revenue department
- Any document that contains an address in the county together with a photo ID card
- A current valid student photo ID card from a post-secondary educational institution in New Mexico, accompanied by a current student fee statement that contains the student’s address in the county.
- Absentee by mail/early in-person voting begins.
To request an absentee ballot application, go to portal.sos.state.nm.us, or call the Valencia County Clerk’s Bureau of Elections at 505-866-2080. Applications must be submitted by Tuesday, Oct. 24, either by mail or in person at the clerk’s office, 444 Luna Ave., Los Lunas, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Absentee ballots must be completed and returned by 7 p.m., Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 7.
Ballots can be returned by mail, in person at the clerk’s office, at any of the early voting locations, at one of the Voter Convenience Centers on Election Day or in one of the following three secure ballot dropboxes in the county until 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Ballot dropbox locations
- Belen Community Center
305 Eagle Lane, Belen
- Bosque Farms Public Library
1455 W. Bosque Loop, Bosque Farms
- Valencia County Administration Offices
444 Luna Ave., Los Lunas
Early in-person voting
Early in-person voting will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, from Tuesday, Oct. 10, through Tuesday, Oct. 24, at the Valencia County Administration Building, 444 Luna Ave., Los Lunas.
Saturday, Oct. 21
- Alternate early voting begins
Early voting at alternate voting sites begins on Saturday, Oct. 21, and runs through Saturday, Nov. 4. The three sites are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
- Belen Community Center
305 Eagle Lane, Belen
- Bosque Farms Public Library
1455 W. Bosque Loop, Bosque Farms
- Valencia County Administration Offices
444 Luna Ave., Los Lunas
Voter Convenience Centers
7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 7
- Ann Parish Elementary School
112 Meadow Lake Road, Meadow Lake
- Belen Community Center
305 Eagle Lane, Belen
- Belen Public Library
333 Becker Ave., Belen
- Bosque Farms Public Library
1455 W. Bosque Loop, Bosque Farms
- Daniel Fernandez Intermediate School
32 Sun Valley Road, Los Lunas
- Del Rio Senior Center
351 Rio Communities Blvd., Rio Communities
- Don Jose Dolores Cordova Cultural Center
426 Jarales Road, Jarales
- El Cerro Mission Community Center
309 El Cerro Mission Road, El Cerro Mission
- Logsdon Hall
19676 N.M. 314, Los Chavez
- Los Lunas Schools Administration
119 Luna Ave., Los Lunas
- Peralta Town Hall
90A Molina Road, Peralta
- Pueblo of Isleta Veterans Center
4001 N.M. 314, Isleta
- Tomé Dominguez de Mendoza Community Center
2933 N.M. 47, Tomé
- UNM-Valencia Workforce Training Center
1020 Huning Ranch East Loop SW, Los Lunas
The Valencia County News-Bulletin is a locally owned and operated community newspaper, dedicated to serving Valencia County since 1910 through the highest journalistic and professional business standards. The VCNB is published weekly on Thursdays, including holidays both in print and online.
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April 25, 2024
