TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, N.M. — State Senator Crystal Brantley (SD-35) is applauding the New Mexico Public School Capital Outlay Council's approval of a three-phase capital outlay award to replace Truth or Consequences Middle School and its associated JROTC facilities, calling the decision a long-overdue win for Sierra County students.
Senator Brantley has worked for several years to advance the project, including coordinating with the Legislative Finance Committee to evaluate the school's condition and advising the district on how to meet PSCOC funding requirements.
"This has been a long time coming for the students and families of Truth or Consequences," said Senator Brantley. "No child should have to learn in a building with collapsed plumbing, fire alarm systems that don't meet code, and roofs that leak into classrooms. This approval means they won't have to."
The current middle school's deficiencies have been well documented — collapsed underground plumbing causing sewage backups, outdated fire protection and mechanical systems, chronic roof failures, ADA noncompliance, and fire alarm systems that do not meet New Mexico building code for the building's occupancy classification. The PSCOC's approval initiates a phased process beginning with Planning and Assessment, with Design and Construction phases to follow as the project advances. The district's estimated cost for the full replacement is $44 million.
The Truth or Consequences Municipal School District secured local voter approval in November 2025 for an $8 million general obligation bond to meet its local match obligations. The district also qualified for a local match reduction under state statute, available to small districts with enrollment under 1,500 students that have demonstrated a good-faith effort to maximize local resources.
Senator Brantley represents District 35, which includes Sierra County and the communities of Elephant Butte and Truth or Consequences.
