Gallup-McKinley County School District in New Mexico is facing renewed scrutiny over disproportionate disciplinary practices affecting Navajo students, according to a recently released report by the Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission (NNHRC). The findings, stemming from public hearings held in late 2025, reveal allegations of racism, funding inequities and inadequate communication within the district, echoing earlier investigations that highlighted a pattern of harsher punishments for Indigenous students compared to their peers. This situation has prompted calls for greater accountability and systemic change to address long-standing issues of inequity within the school system.
The 25-page report, published on March 3, 2026, details testimony from parents, students, and community members who shared experiences of a climate of fear and discrimination. The NNHRC’s investigation was prompted by prior research indicating that Native students within the Gallup-McKinley district, the largest in the country with an Indigenous student body, were disciplined at a significantly higher rate than other students in New Mexico. This disparity, first brought to light in a December 2022 investigation by New Mexico In Depth and ProPublica, has fueled concerns about systemic bias and its impact on the educational opportunities of Navajo children.
Report Details Allegations of Systemic Issues
The NNHRC report draws on four public hearings conducted in McKinley County, providing a platform for community voices to express their concerns. Testimony revealed a range of issues beyond disciplinary practices, including language barriers, discriminatory hiring practices, challenges with special education plans, and even inadequate heating systems in school buildings. Wendy Greyeyes, chair of the NNHRC and an associate professor of Native American studies at the University of New Mexico, emphasized the pervasive fear of retaliation that prevented some witnesses from speaking openly. “Some witnesses cried at hearings, she said — afraid their words would get back to the district — and parents spoke on behalf of children too afraid to testify themselves,” according to reporting from New Mexico In Depth.
The report specifically cites the 2022 investigation by New Mexico In Depth and ProPublica, which analyzed student discipline records across the state and found that Indigenous students were punished more harshly than their counterparts during the four years ending in 2020. The investigation revealed that the Gallup-McKinley district was largely responsible for this disparity. In response, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez launched an investigation into the district’s disciplinary practices in 2023.
Attorney General’s Investigation and Legislative Hurdles
On Wednesday, March 6, 2026, Lauren Rodriguez, chief of staff to Attorney General Torrez, announced that the office’s investigation had been completed and revealed “troubling disciplinary practices.” Rodriguez stated that the investigation recommends the New Mexico Public Education Department enforce student discipline data reporting requirements and improve data tracking. Though, the Attorney General’s office has acknowledged legal limitations in pursuing formal action against the district. According to a statement provided to New Mexico In Depth, We see currently unclear whether state law authorizes the office to prosecute systemic inequities within the district.
This legal ambiguity has prompted Attorney General Torrez to advocate for comprehensive state civil rights legislation since 2023. The proposed legislation would grant the Attorney General broader authority to investigate and address civil rights violations within state and local agencies, mirroring the powers held by the federal Department of Justice. In 2023, a bill with bipartisan support passed the New Mexico legislature, but it was ultimately vetoed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. Governor Lujan Grisham cited concerns that the bill would “create confusion” and argued that much of the proposed legislation could be implemented without it. Torrez, however, maintained that enshrining this authority in law would provide greater clarity and strengthen the state’s ability to address systemic inequities.
Recommendations for Reform and Restorative Justice
The NNHRC report outlines several recommendations aimed at addressing the issues identified in the investigation. These include establishing a formal agreement between the Navajo Nation and the Gallup-McKinley district to adopt a discipline policy based on restorative justice principles. Restorative justice focuses on repairing harm and rebuilding relationships, rather than solely relying on punitive measures. The report suggests modeling this policy on existing programs at New Mexico’s Cuba Independent School District and the STAR School, located east of Flagstaff, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation.
the commission recommends a comprehensive financial audit of the district’s spending on Native education compared to that of other student populations. This audit would aim to identify any disparities in resource allocation and ensure equitable funding for all students. The report too calls for improved data management and tracking of student discipline data by the state education department, enabling more effective monitoring of potential inequities.
The Gallup-McKinley school district did not respond to requests for comment regarding the NNHRC report. The commission’s findings underscore the deep-rooted challenges facing Native students within the district and the urgent need for systemic reform. Greyeyes emphasized that the problems are “rooted in colonization” and “institutional racism,” requiring a fundamental shift in attitudes and practices to ensure equitable educational opportunities for all students.
Key Takeaways
- The Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission released a report on March 3, 2026, detailing allegations of discriminatory disciplinary practices within the Gallup-McKinley County School District.
- A 2022 investigation by New Mexico In Depth and ProPublica found that Indigenous students in the district were punished more harshly than their peers.
- The New Mexico Attorney General’s office has completed its own investigation, finding “troubling disciplinary practices,” but faces legal limitations in pursuing formal action.
- The NNHRC recommends adopting restorative justice practices, conducting a financial audit of Native education spending, and improving data tracking.
The NNHRC’s report represents a critical step in addressing the systemic inequities facing Native students in the Gallup-McKinley district. The next step will be to spot how the New Mexico Public Education Department responds to the Attorney General’s recommendations and whether the state legislature will revisit the proposed civil rights legislation. The future of equitable education for Navajo students hinges on a commitment to meaningful change and a willingness to address the deeply rooted issues of racism and discrimination within the school system. Readers are encouraged to share their thoughts and experiences in the comments below and to engage in constructive dialogue about this important issue.
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