Alamogordo Schools suspends Pam Renteria, names Michael Crabtree interim superintendent

Juan Corral, Alamogordo Daily News
·2 min read

The Alamogordo Public Schools Board of Education appointed Michael Crabtree as interim superintendent following the suspension of Pamela Renteria who had been offered a one-year contract for the position in 2024.

In a Jan. 11 meeting the Board announced its unanimous vote to appoint Crabtree pending what it called a series of investigations involving Renteria. Renteria was placed on administrative leave with pay.

The Alamogordo Daily News inquired about the alleged investigations to the school district but was not provided information regarding the situation.

The Alamogordo Daily News asked Renteria for comment but did not receive a response by the publication of this article.

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Michael Crabtree was announced as Alamogordo Public Schools interim superintendent, having been in his first meeting Wed. Jan. 17. Crabtree was principal at High Roll's Mountain Park Elementary School before filling in as superintendent.
Michael Crabtree was announced as Alamogordo Public Schools interim superintendent, having been in his first meeting Wed. Jan. 17. Crabtree was principal at High Roll's Mountain Park Elementary School before filling in as superintendent.

In December, Renteria was offered a contract to act as superintendent for one year, a move that then-board members said would allow the district to search for a permanent hire. That contract was criticized as impinging on work that should be left to the Board when three new member - Criag Dankis, Shannan Wright and Brandy Murphy - were seated in January.

Renteria's removal was the new board's first official act of 2024.

Crabtree was offered an annual salary of $140,000 plus benefits as interim superintendent. The School Board and District did not offer a timeline for the completion of the investigation of Renteria.

The Alamogordo Daily News contacted Crabtree but did not receive a response.

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Crabtree was hired by Alamogordo Public Schools in 2015 as a baseball coach and recently was High Rolls Mountain Park Elementary's principal.

The School District said it would release a statement on Friday, Jan. 12, with comments from Crabtree but no such statement had been issued by Jan. 22.

Juan Corral can be reached at JCorral@gannett.com or on X, formerly Twitter at @Juan36Corr.

This article originally appeared on Alamogordo Daily News: Alamogordo school boards suspends Pam Renteria as superintendent