LCPS Transportation Director on Paid Leave

The transportation director for Las Cruces Public Schools is on paid administrative leave, according to district spokeswoman Jo Galvan.

An internal review involving Larry Altamirano, who has worked 35 years for the district, is underway.

Altamirano’s suspension comes after the school district decided not to cancel classes during a snowstorm last Thursday, upsetting many parents.

Schools opened that morning, but as the conditions worsened, the district decided to send students home early.

Bridget Spedalieri, a spokeswoman for the New Mexico Department of Transportation, told the ABC-7 New Mexico Mobile Newsroom the district did not call her for information on road conditions.

New Mexico State Police in Las Cruces also tell ABC-7 their office was not contacted for information.

Altamirano’s responsibilities include gathering information from NM-DOT, state police and the National Weather Service.