Española Valley Schools superintendent resigns amid basketball coach’s firing

Española Valley Public Schools Superintendent Bobbie Gutierrez resigned from her role at the district Wednesday evening at a school board meeting in which the board discussed her role in high school basketball coach Richard Martinez’s firing, which also happened sometime Wednesday.

Martinez had been on paid leave since late March for unknown reasons, but sources confirmed to KOB Wednesday night Martinez was fired sometime before 9:45 p.m.

Gutierrez’s resignation will be effective May 6, but the school board voted to place her on leave until then. The board voted 3-2 to accept her resignation. She was named acting superintendent of the district last April and was to stay on as interim superintendent until at least June.

Many parents of students at Española Valley High School and community members from the valley divided into camps at Wednesday’s meeting: those in support of Martinez and those who say he works his kids too hard.

Martinez guided his team to a 5A state championship this year – the second in the school’s history under his guidance. Many in the community have been strongly supportive of him since he was placed on leave.

Some reports said Martinez had been originally placed on leave for leading a prayer at a game, though that was strongly questioned Wednesday. Some parents scoffed at the idea – noting that with a predominantly-Catholic population, “everyone prays” in Rio Arriba County, according to one parent.

“I have completed my investigation,” Guetierrez said. “The coach has the results of that investigation, and it would be up to him what he shares with the press.”
Gutierrez refused to comment further on the allegation or investigation into Martinez.

It is unclear what events led to Gutierrez being pressured to resign or her eventual resignation at this time.

“The School Board would like to thank Bobbie for her service to the District,” Board President Pablo Lujan said in a statement issued to KOB after the meeting. “Superintendent Gutierrez filled in when we needed immediate help stabilizing the management of the District. We all wish her the best in her future endeavors.”

“I am grateful for the Board having given me the opportunity to serve the District, its students, parents, and staff,” Gutierrez wrote in a statement. “Española is full of kind and wonderful people who rely on our schools to increase the education opportunities for our students. I will miss the talented staff and wish to thank the community for its support of the schools.”

New Mexico Activities Association spokesperson Dusty Young said there are no pending sanctions against the high school or school district.

Myra Martinez has been named interim superintendent in the meantime.