Top administrator at Jefferson Montessori Academy arrested for driving intoxicated

Editor's note: This story will be updated as more information is available

The head administrator at a Carlsbad charter school was arrested May 1 for allegedly driving intoxicated after police said she was observed speeding on South Canal Street early in the morning.

Kelli Barta, 49, was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated, driving with no insurance and speeding at 11 to 15 miles per hour above the speed limit, court records show. All three charges were listed as petty misdemeanors, according to court records.

Barta was listed as Jefferson Montessori Academy’s head administrator on the school's website. Council of Trustees President Deanna Weston-Helmer declined to comment on the incident or verify if Barta was still employed at the school. Weston-Helmer said the Council was investigating the matter and “would act accordingly.”

The Carlsbad Current-Argus has as yet been unable to contact Barta for comment.

Police said Barta was driving at about 1:40 a.m. May 1 on South Canal Street at 52 miles per hour in a 35-mile-per-hour zone, according to a citation, and refused a field sobriety test, resulting in the aggravated DWI charge. She was booked into the Eddy County Detention Center at about 3 a.m. and released at about 4:45 p.m. that afternoon.

She was stopped by police on North Mesa Street about 141 feet south of Elm Street, read the citation. During the subsequent investigation, police said Barta lacked proof of car insurance to drive her 2020 Acura RDX.

She was ordered to appear June 1 in Carlsbad Magistrate Court, and records indicate as of 4 p.m. the day of her arrest, Barta was being held without bail.

Barta formerly served in acting and assistant superintendent roles at Carlsbad Municipal Schools and served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Carlsbad Boys and Girls Club before taking the job at JMA.

Carlsbad Municipal Schools Superintendent Gerry Washburn said the charter school operates independently of the district on personnel matters, with the Carlsbad Municipal School Board approving JMA’s annual budget and providing oversight in compliance with state laws.

Jefferson Montessori Academy was named after Thomas Jefferson and Dr. Maria Montessori who first founded the Montessori style of education.

The school, which serves children in Carlsbad and Eddy County, said in its mission statement on the school website that it aims to “provide a rigorous, comprehensive curriculum that challenges and engages each student to achieve his/her full academic excellence. Attract, hire, develop, and retain an excellent professional staff. Ensure parental and community trust and involvement through clear, open and timely communication.”

The mission statement also notes goals of maintaining a balanced budget and providing “a safe, well-maintained school environment.”

Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Carlsbad school official arrested for intoxicated driving