BY HEATHER MUCK
White Rock

I am writing to wholeheartedly endorse Stephanie Galvez for the District 1 School Board position. As a parent who has chosen to homeschool my children, I understand the critical importance of educational policies that serve all students, whether they attend traditional public schools, private schools, or are homeschooled. After careful consideration, I am confident that Stephanie Galvez is someone who will make thoughtful, informed, and compassionate decisions for all families in our district.

One of the reasons I am so enthusiastic about Stephanie’s candidacy is her open-mindedness and willingness to engage with all educational perspectives. She understands that each child has unique needs and learning styles, and she wants policies that create flexibility, inclusivity, and equal opportunity for every family. Stephanie has shown an interest in advocating for greater collaboration between homeschooling families and public schools, with a focus on ensuring that all educational paths are supported with respect and equity.

Moreover, Stephanie is a person of integrity and vision. She is not only concerned with current educational challenges but is also looking at how to improve our community’s education system for the future. She values transparency, accountability, and accessibility, ensuring that all stakeholders—whether its the parents, teachers, or students—have a voice in shaping our district’s future.

As a homeschool parent, I appreciate that Stephanie understands the challenges many families face, including those who choose alternative forms of education. I believe her leadership will help bring a balanced, inclusive approach to policy decisions that will benefit all students, whether in a traditional classroom, a homeschool setting, or another educational format.

I have full confidence that Stephanie will be an advocate for educational excellence in our district. I encourage you to consider supporting Stephani Galvez for School Board District 1 and to trust her dedication to fostering an educational environment where all children can thrive.

Thank you for your time.

Amy Storey, center, meets with School Board District 1 Candidate Stephanie Galvez, right, during Monday’s event.

A wonderful night at the RPLA Silent Auction Fundraiser! We were honored to hear Senator Anthony Thornton. What an inspiration and example for us all. If both Tamara Hinckley and I are elected, we will make our school board even stronger for our students!

by Stephanie Galvez

Hello,

Please accept my Letter to the Editor and my responses to the LAFSE questionnaire, attached for publication in the Los Alamos Reporter. In light of recent public conversations, I believe providing an additional perspective will help ensure our community has a balanced and transparent understanding of the issues being discussed.  

Regards, Stephanie

I want to sincerely thank the Los Alamos Federation of School Employees (LAFSE) for reaching out to me and providing the opportunity to earn their endorsement. I deeply appreciate the work they do on behalf of our educators and staff, and I value any effort to engage with school board candidates who share a commitment to strong, high-quality public education.

As I have stated throughout my campaign, if given the honor to serve on the School Board, I will always remain transparent and open with parents, staff, and the community ensuring honest communication and accountability in every decision made on behalf of our students. In that same spirit of transparency, I feel it’s important to clarify that no one from LAFSE personally reached out to speak with me or took the opportunity to learn more about my background, experience, or vision for Los Alamos Public Schools. To my knowledge, representatives from the organization were also not present at the recent candidate forum hosted by the League of Women Voters. Instead, LAFSE’s decision regarding whether to endorse me was based solely on my written responses to a questionnaire.

Because I believe our community deserves the same opportunity to review that information and understand my positions directly, I am sharing the LAFSE questionnaire and my responses exactly as they were submitted. My goal is to continue being open and transparent with the community, giving every parent, educator, and voter the same access to information that was used in the endorsement process.

The Los Alamos School Board plays a vital role in shaping the educational experience of every student in our community. As a locally elected body, the Board’s primary responsibility is to ensure that all students have access to a high-quality education in a safe, inclusive, and well-managed environment. The Board governs district policy, oversees the budget, hires and evaluates the superintendent, and ensures that academic excellence and student well-being remain at the center of every decision.

Although there is one particular group in the community that has worked hard to make this election a political race through public ads, posts, and commentary it is essential to remember that the Los Alamos School Board is a nonpartisan position. Our schools do not belong to any political party; they belong to the community. Turning this into a partisan issue divides the very people who should be working together to support our children.

Public education serves every child regardless of background, belief, or political affiliation. The success of our schools depends on unity, collaboration, and a shared commitment to doing what’s best for students, not politics. A nonpartisan board ensures that decisions are guided by fairness, transparency, and educational priorities, not political agendas. It keeps the focus where it belongs: on students, teachers, and classrooms. It also fosters collaboration, stability, and public trust, ensuring that our schools remain strong for generations to come.

I believe strongly that serving on the School Board is about putting people before politics and making thoughtful, transparent, and informed decisions that reflect the values of our entire community. My commitment is, and will always be, to the students, staff, and families of Los Alamos.

Strong Roots. Strong Schools. Strong Future.

— Stephanie Galvez
Candidate for Los Alamos School Board, District 1

BY STEPHANIE VALDEZ
Candidate for District 1
Los Alamos School Board

Our schools are at the heart of Los Alamos. Whether you have children in the school system or not, the quality of our public schools touches every part of our community — from our property values and local economy to the strength of our future workforce and sense of community pride.

When we invest time and attention in our schools, we invest in the next generation of scientists, teachers, and community leaders who will carry Los Alamos forward. The school board plays a vital role in shaping that future — making decisions that affect our classrooms, our staff, and our students for years to come.

That’s why it’s important for everyone to vote in the upcoming school board election. Strong schools don’t just happen; they are built through strong leadership, thoughtful planning, and community involvement. Your vote helps ensure our schools remain a source of strength for generations to come.

Strong Roots. Strong Schools. Strong Future.

Please make your voice heard — vote in the school board election and help keep Los Alamos strong.

BY PAUL MARTINEZ
Los Alamos

As her proud father, I proudly endorse my daughter, Stephanie Galvez, for the Los Alamos School Board. She is intelligent, kind, and deeply committed to doing what’s best for our children, teachers, and parents.

While raising a child as a single parent and working full-time at LANL, Stephanie earned both her Bachelor’s and MBA within 5 years — a true example of determination and dedication.

She will bring integrity, hard work, and a strong sense of community to the School Board. Please join me in voting for Stephanie Galvez for School Board, District 1.

Proudly,

Paul Martinez

Stephanie Galvez said she has deep roots in Los Alamos; she has lived here for the past 45 years.

“My father, Paul Martinez, dedicated his career to creating safe spaces for children through the youth activity centers,” she said. “He taught me children are the heartbeat of our community. They deserved to be seen, supported and given the tools to succeed. I believe in strong schools, one where every child succeeds academically. That means ensuring our students are strong readers, confident in math and science and able to think critically and solve problems because these are the skills that create opportunities whether that is college, careers or trades.”

She added she believes teachers and staff deserve to be heard and supported and parents to be treated as partners.
“I believe in a strong future; one where every child thrives,” Stephanie Galvez said.

During the question-and-answer period, one member asked the candidates how they intend to serve the community and not their personal biases.

Stephanie Galvez said serving on school board isn’t a political agenda, it is to serve the students.

Another question asked the candidates what the district’s greatest strengths and challenges are.

Stephanie Galvez said the district’s greatest strength is academic excellence, but a challenge is to strengthen students’ social and emotional wellbeing so each one feels valued and mattered.