The following memo was shared with LCPS middle school and high school families:
MEMORANDUM
TO: Las Cruces Community, Parents, and Student-Athletes
FROM: Executive Director of Athletics, Las Cruces Public Schools
DATE: June 19, 2026
SUBJECT: LCPS Decision Regarding NMAA 2026-2027 Eligibility and Transfer Bylaw Amendments
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide a clear update regarding the New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) proposed eligibility changes for the 2026- 2027 school year and how they will be addressed within Las Cruces Public Schools (LCPS).
Recently, the NMAA proposed significant amendments to its bylaws, most notably a “one-time free transfer rule,” which would allow students to transfer schools once without penalty and be immediately eligible at the school of their choice. Additionally, the NMAA proposed an 8th-grade Open Enrollment change that would allow middle school students to open enroll at the high school their current school feeds.
In accordance with NMAA bylaws that permit districts to implement stricter local policies, Las Cruces Public Schools has decided NOT to implement these proposed changes.
Commitment to Balanced Enrollment and Rezoning
This decision is rooted in our ongoing commitment to the stability and equity of our educational environment. In the 2024-2025 school year, LCPS established a committee dedicated to rezoning school attendance boundaries. The primary goal of this initiative is to balance enrollment across all schools and ensure the efficient and equitable use of district facilities.
Because the redistricting process is designed to manage school capacity and maintain the integrity of our neighborhoods, adopting the NMAA's free transfer or expanded open enrollment rules would conflict with these efforts.
Adherence to Current District Policy
LCPS will remain under the current rules set forth in our existing Board Policies and Regulations, specifically Policy JCAA and Regulation JFB-R. Under these established guidelines:
• Geographic Boundaries: Students are expected to attend the "home school" assigned based on Board-approved geographical boundaries.
Transfer Process: All student transfers must continue to follow the established LCPS process, which includes specific application windows (typically starting February 1) and prioritization based on residence and capacity.
Eligibility: All NMAA guidelines currently in place for LCPS will remain, ensuring that the transfer process is not used to provide any team or school a competitive advantage.
Important Actions for Families
To ensure a smooth transition into the next school year, we ask for your cooperation with the following:
Contact Athletic Coordinators: If you have questions regarding a student's future eligibility or how these rules apply to a specific situation, it is vital that you communicate directly with your school’s Athletic Coordinator.
Update Synergy Information: It is of the utmost importance that all student information is current and accurate in Synergy. This includes your current physical address, as this data is essential for determining home school assignments and processing any correspondence regarding enrollment or transfers.
We appreciate your continued support of LCPS athletics as we strive to maintain a fair and balanced competitive environment for all our student-athletes.