Academy Anatomy Debate Sparks Rio Rancho Community
A reader argues about parental responsibility, education standards, and social class in Rio Rancho. They critique public education as elitist, question IQ testing roots in eugenics, and mock reliance on grades. The letter ends with a caustic nod to Hugh Hefner and a call for egalitarian civic wisdom.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Academy
Jonathan Kozol
Great Britain
Rio Rancho
Playboy
Mercedes
Silicon Valley
Hugh Hefner
Tom Nesbitt
Academy Anatomy and Rio Rancho’s Emerging Identity
A Rio Rancho resident reflects on the city’s growth from land fraud schemes to incorporation and “West Mesa suburbanism.” He proposes the term Academy Anatomy to describe the evolving local identity and debates the influence of Intel and RR Public Schools, questioning diversity, privatization, and taxpayer participation in shaping the community’s future.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Rio Rancho
Rio Rancho Estates
West Mesa
Intel
Rio Rancho Public Schools
Maslow
Big Rancho
Academy Anatomy
RRHS
Gallup McKinley County
GMCS
Fair housing concerns voiced in Rio Rancho letters
Catherine Sidoti criticizes Skip Fay and local real estate agents for monopolistic control, arguing housing prices rise to exclude low income residents. She condemns a ruling against manufactured homes, calls government actions deceptive, questions tax spending, and warns of erosion of democratic voice for homeowners.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Skip Fay
Rio Rancho
Catherine Sidoti
Debate Over Hate Crime Legislation Cited by Adams
Donald L. Adams argues that the proposed hate crimes bill is unnecessary due to existing laws and cites FBI data showing hate crimes are a small share of crime. He warns of chilling effects on free speech and notes critics claim public opposition to homosexuality is mislabeled as hate.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ector
Clinton
FBI
District of Columbia
Family Research Council
Clarence Page
Canada
Washington Post
Donald L. Adams
Tracking district dollars When state funds fund schools
The writer responds to Michael Ryans editorial, explaining school funding sources in New Mexico. He outlines that day to day school operations come from the general fund via income and other taxes, while capital improvements rely on severance taxes from oil, gas, and mining. He notes a permanent fund from severance tax investments funds the general fund and estimates individual taxpayers would pay about 575 more yearly without these investments. He acknowledges concerns about fees for activities and the need to scrutinize how money is allocated to districts.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Michael Ryan
the Observer V
New Mexico
Ryan
Citizen involvement key to school funding oversight
Commentary urges active parent participation in budgeting and monitoring school funds. It calls for questioning spending, administrator headcounts, perks, and alignment with educational goals, insisting citizens supervise boards and administrators beyond elections.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Anna Parsons
Pueblo
Colorado
Gsa
General Services Administration
Lifelinknetwork.com
Jim
Judy Vanderstar Russell
Ola
St. Joseph Northeast Heights
Montgomery NE
St. Joseph West Mesa
Golf Course Rd
Ie Joseph
St. Joseph
Bernalillo
Sandoval
Torrance
Valencia
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