19-year-old runs for school board

RIO RANCHO, N.M. (KRQE) - A 19-year-old UNM student is running for Rio Rancho School Board, hoping to share his own experience in the school system and make a difference.

Alexander Weimer attended elementary and part of middle school in the public education system.  His parents, disappointed with the education he was receiving, decided to homeschool him.

Weimer tells KRQE News 13 that at an early age he learned that if you are going to complain about something - you should do something about it.

"Now I am old enough to do something." says Weimer

Weimer is running in District 5 against Victor J. Rodriguez, a father.  Catherine Cullen, a realtor with two children and Kelly Howe, a faculty member at UNM, also with two children in the district.  Sandra Atwood, who had declared her candidacy has since dropped out of the race.

Weimer says there are many things he would like to do if elected to the school board including reducing the bullying rate, introducing the Montessori method, which takes a more hands on approach to learning.  He'd also work to raise teacher pay, as mandated by the federal government and wants to do away with standardized testing.

"Testing kids on subjects that they haven't even learned yet does nothing - it shows us nothing," says Weimer

Weimer is currently studying political science at UNM.

He says if he is not elected to the Rio Rancho School Board he will continue to work towards some type of career in politics.

The school board election is February 5th, early voting has already begun.