Farmington board installs new leaders, signals fiscal and workforce focus

Farmington Municipal Schools' board of education selected new officers and swore in newly elected members during a Jan. 13 meeting, moves that set the district's immediate priorities on academic improvement, student safety and fiscal stewardship. For San Juan County residents, those priorities will shape classroom resources, career pathways and budget decisions that affect local taxes and services.

The board voted unanimously to name Krista Lee McWilliams as president, Andra Stradling as vice president, Lisa Lynn Maxwell as secretary and Deazhan Maize as deputy secretary. Andra Stradling, Deazhan Maize and newly elected member Alyssa Begay were formally sworn in by presiding District Judge Brenna Clani-Washinawatok. Clani-Washinawatok, a Farmington attorney and member of the Navajo Nation, is the first Native American to serve as a district court judge in the 11th Judicial District, which covers San Juan and McKinley counties.

McWilliams, who brings a background in engineering, business leadership and public service, said she was "honored to serve the Farmington Municipal School District as board president." She outlined goals that include measurable gains in academic proficiency, strengthening student safety and well-being, and maintaining strong fiscal responsibility. McWilliams holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from New Mexico Tech, is co-COO and co-owner of LOGOS Energy, and serves on the State of New Mexico's Water Quality Control Commission.

The meeting also recognized eight teachers who earned National Board Certification, with their names permanently recorded on a plaque at the district central office. Research shows that advanced teacher certification can correlate with classroom effectiveness and improved student outcomes; locally, the district's investment in teacher quality bolsters Farmington's efforts to raise proficiency levels across grades. The board additionally celebrated students participating in the 2025 Petroleum Engineering Mentorship Class, a long-standing collaboration among Farmington High School, Piedra Vista High School and San Juan College High School that channels local students into energy-sector learning and potential careers.

Those career-pathway programs carry particular market implications in San Juan County, where energy and resource industries remain central to the local economy. The mentorship class functions as a workforce pipeline, offering students technical exposure that can translate to local hiring or continued study. McWilliams' dual role in energy business and state water policy suggests the board may weigh industry partnerships alongside environmental and regulatory considerations when setting district priorities.

Board members plan to attend the New Mexico School Boards Association Board Member Institute Conference in Santa Fe Feb. 5–7, an event likely to inform upcoming budget, governance and policy decisions. For residents, the immediate takeaway is clear: the newly constituted board is signaling a blend of classroom quality, student safety and fiscal caution that will influence program funding, staffing and partnerships in the year ahead. Expect school budget discussions and program updates to reflect these priorities as the district moves into the spring budget cycle.