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Las Cruces Public Schools Board of EduCation District 4 member Bonnie Votaw, left, and Board President Connie Phillips of District 5 are both running unopposed in the upcoming school board election.

LAS CRUCES - Overseeing nearly 40 schools with shrinking resources, continued growth and a 2009 dropout rate of around 35 percent is quite a challenge.

And it's a challenge few are brave enough to bare, as incumbents. Bonnie Votaw (District 4) and Connie Phillips (District 5) are both running unopposed in Tuesday's school board election.

Votaw and Phillips were elected to the school board in February 2007, and both said their experience will come in handy when it's time to balance a tight budget, redefine district boundaries and open a new high school.

"We started things four years ago. And you see how it's slowly progressing and you want to continue that," Phillips said.

Over the course of their term, Votaw and Phillips helped open three new schools in 2010 - Monte Vista Elementary School, Mesa Middle School and the Early College High School. The board will also take on the challenge of redistricting for the new high school opening in 2012.

"When we came on, that was one of the things our constituents asked us to do, build some new buildings," Phillips said. "We started asking for construction reports at each board meeting. So every board meeting we're seeing a report on how the bond money is being spent and what steps are being taken and where we are in terms of completion of projects."

In addition, Votaw and Phillips helped oversee major building renovations, including developing a master plan for large-scale renovations at Las Cruces High School.

"We're

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trying to make sure that all the buildings are up to standards and that all kids have a good place to spend their day," Votaw said.

Phillips said the district is continuing to monitor demographics and areas experiencing growth, such as the East Mesa and Mayfield region, as a new elementary school may be on the horizon. The board will receive a report on land for sale during its Tuesday meeting.

Looking forward, both candidates said a major concern was the budget, which will be approved in July and likely include cuts for the third consecutive year.

Votaw said she would also like to see the addition of more alternative programs to increase graduation rates.

"It's a one-by-one salvation," she said, noting the success and full enrollment in programs like CrossRoads, an alternative education program for middle and high school students serving long-term suspensions.

The LCPS Board of Education has five members, each elected to a four-year term. Terms are staggered so that there is an school board election every two years.

Only voters in Districts 4 and 5 are eligible to cast ballots in the election.The Do-a Ana County Clerk's office, inside the Do-a Ana County Government building, 845 N. Motel Blvd., is the only voting location on Election Day. Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday. Absentee voting continues through Friday, also at the County Clerk's office.

Christine Rogel can be reached at (575) 541-5424.

At the polls

•What: Voting for Las Cruces School Board Districts 4 and 5

•When: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Tuesday, Absentee voting runs through Friday.

•Where: Do-a Ana County Clerk's office, County Government Building, 845 N. Motel Blvd.

The schools

District 4

•Tombaugh Elementary

•Fairacres Elementary

•Jornada Elementary

•East Picacho Elementary

•Do-a Ana Elementary

•Columbia Elementary

•Vista Middle School

District 5

•White Sands Elementary

•Cesar Chavez Elementary

•Sunrise Elementary

•Sonoma Elementary

•Highland Elementary

•Desert Hills Elementary

•Camino Real Middle School

•O-ate High School