Resigned APS deputy superintendent facing trial in Colorado

Attorney General Hector Balderas will announce Monday his office will look into why Albuquerque Public Schools’ safety protocols were breached and Jason Martinez was hired in June before a background check was completed. It later surfaced that Martinez faces six felony counts of sexual assault on a child in Colorado.

Martinez started his $160,000-per-year job this summer as the handpicked deputy of new Superintendent Luis Valentino.

The controversy over Martinez’s hiring has placed heavy scrutiny on Valentino, who took over the district in June.

Martinez submitted a letter of resignation Thursday, citing personal and family commitments as reasons for quitting.

In a letter obtained by the Journal on Saturday, APS interim assistant superintendent for HR Karen Rudys stated she “raised the issue (of Martinez’s incomplete background check) directly” with Valentino “on or about” June 24, July 2, July 8, July 15, August 11 and August 19.

Before coming to Albuquerque, Martinez worked as the vice president of education solutions at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, a publishing house, and previously served as an administrator in the Denver, Co., school system. Former superintendent Winston Brooks abruptly resigned last August.

Asked whether the incomplete background check played a role in Martinez’s decision to leave APS, [spokesman Rigo] Chavez said he didn’t know.

After several hours, the Albuquerque Public Schools board announced late Sunday night that they’re putting off any decision on the superintendent until later in the week.

First, Valentino sent a text message saying that he was going to “go after” one of his employees.

An APS spokesperson said Valentino came to the meeting after it was closed to the public.