Rio Rancho board renames social-communication program for late special-services director Tamara Wheeler

The Rio Rancho Public Schools Board of Education voted June 23 to rename its district social communications program in memory of Tamara Wheeler.

Jerry Reeder, executive director of special services, told the board that Wheeler led development of the district's social-communication services for students with significant communication and social-emotional needs. "She helped to develop this program to support our students' unique needs by providing additional support from speech language pathologists and social workers to support the development of social emotional and communication skills," Reeder said while describing the program's four sites in the district.

Superintendent Lisa Cleveland and board members praised Wheeler's work in special services and noted staff requests to include Wheeler's first name in the program title. Reeder told the board that adding her first name would not pose problems and that staff had requested it; several trustees indicated that either "Wheeler Social Communications Program" or the "Tamara Wheeler Social Communications Program" would be acceptable.

Vote and motion: Board member Jeff Morgan moved to approve renaming the program to the Tamara Wheeler Social Communications Program; Beth Miller seconded. The motion passed by roll call; the clerk announced the motion carried.

Why it matters: Board and staff described the program as serving students with autism and other communication needs at four campuses (Cielo Azul, Maggie Cordova Elementary, Rio Rancho Middle School and Rio Rancho High School) and said the renaming honors Wheeler's leadership in developing services for some of the district's highest-need students.

Implementation: The board approved the name change as presented. Staff said the district will update program materials and continue operating the four program sites under the new name.