Dr. Steven Sanchez appointed Interim LCPS Superintendent

The Las Cruces Public School Board voted Steven Sanchez as interim superintendent at a meeting Tuesday night.

Sanchez previously served as deputy superintendent for the district for eight years.

LCPS Spokeswoman Jo Galvan said the board will soon begin the search for a permanent superintendent. The process is expected to take about 134 days, Galvan said.

The district will post an application on the LCPS website. Galvan said the board will also meet with advisory committees, possible made up of teachers and principals, to vet candidates.

Galvan said Sanchez will make a yearly salary of $145,000, but could be paid only half of that depending on how many months he serves.

Last week, the board voted to approve Superintendent Stan Rounds’ resignation. They also voted to approve a $140,000 severance package. Galvan said that money will not impact next year’s budget because it’s coming out of the current 2015-2016 cash balance. Sanchez’s salary will come from the 2016-2017 budget.