Alma d'Arte Receives Amended Lease From School Board
The charter school may continue operating in its current building after the board voted to amend its lease agreement.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Administration
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The Las Cruces Public School Board has unanimously voted to offer an amended lease to Alma d'Arte following the charter school's default on its previous agreement. The school, which operates out of a district-owned building at 402 W. Court Ave., is currently facing scrutiny after a recent audit revealed significant financial and administrative issues.
Why it matters
The board's action allows the charter school to sublet its facility, potentially stabilizing its operations as it approaches a critical charter renewal review this year. Families with students at the school should be aware of the ongoing financial findings that have prompted this increased oversight from the district.
A fiscal year 2025 audit uncovered 4 material weaknesses and 5 additional findings, including an improperly procured contract exceeding $100,000. These issues, alongside reports of missing governing council minutes and payroll discrepancies, follow the school's default on its current lease.
The players
Las Cruces Public School Board
The local district governing body responsible for overseeing school operations and facility leases in Las Cruces.
Alma d'Arte
A charter school in Las Cruces currently operating under district oversight amid financial and administrative audit findings.
The details
The audit identified systemic issues including failures in payroll tax payments and insufficient controls over payroll processes. Beyond financial management, the school failed to maintain required documentation, specifically regarding governing council minutes. The board's vote to offer the amended lease and permit subletting serves as a pathway forward for the school as it navigates both these operational findings and the upcoming state charter renewal process.
Timeline
Fiscal Year 2025 served as the period covered by the charter school audit.
September 2026 marked the executive session where the board discussed the lease.
October 20, 2026, was the date of the board's unanimous vote to tender the lease.
The Home Front
The school's administrative and financial hurdles highlight the rigorous compliance landscape set by New Mexico Public Education Department charter school renewal requirements. Local charter schools must strictly adhere to these fiscal transparency standards to maintain their standing within the district.
Families enrolled at Alma d'Arte should monitor official communications regarding the school's upcoming charter renewal hearing. Parents may also wish to review the publicly available fiscal year 2025 audit findings to understand how administrative oversight affects school resources.
The takeaway
The district's decision provides a bridge for the school to address its audit findings before the state renewal process concludes. Parents should stay informed on the school's corrective action progress to ensure the stability of their student's learning environment throughout this fiscal cycle.
Further reading
Learn more about local school oversight in the Administration section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KRWG.
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Should local school boards grant lease flexibility to charter schools that fail their financial audits?
