The Latest: Gov. Martinez praises outgoing ed secretary

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The Latest on the resignation of Hanna Skandera (all times local): 11 a.m. New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez is praising Public Education Secretary Hanna Skandera who announced Thursday she is stepping down. The Republican governor says the state's students and schools are better because of Skandera's leadership and commended her for taking on teachers unions and "other entrenched special interests." Martinez says Skandera helped increase the state's high school graduation rates and improved student proficiency. Skandera says it was a privilege to work with Martinez but declined to get details about her upcoming plans. As public education secretary, she often clashed with Democrats and teachers' unions over various reforms pushed by Martinez. Rep. Alonzo Baldonado, a Los Lunas Republican, says teachers' unions blocked those reforms and came to discussions with closed minds. Deputy Secretary Christopher Ruszkowski will serve as acting cabinet secretary. ____ 9 a.m. New Mexico Public Education Secretary Hanna Skandera is stepping down after seven years on the job. Public Education Department spokeswoman Lida Alikhani confirmed Thursday that Skandera will resign on June 20. It was not immediately clear if Skandera was resigning to take another job or why she was resigning with more than a year left on her tenure. Skandera often clashed with Democrats and teachers unions over various reforms pushed by Republican Gov. Susana Martinez. Senate Democrats for years held up for appointment in committee although she ran the department as a designate. Under Skandera, the Public Education Department introduced a new teacher evaluation system and standardized tests with tougher requirements. American Federation of Teachers New Mexico President Stephanie Ly says Skandera's resignation is "welcome news."