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1 month ago

Board reviews sweeping staff‑conduct policy update; members ask for clarifications In a detailed first reading of policy GBEBB, the board reviewed statutory (HB128/NMAC) language expanding ethical‑misconduct rules to ‘LCPS partners,’ debated limits on giving students rides, reporting timelines to PED, electronic communication with students, and grooming/undue‑influence language, and requested edits for second reading.

The board is redefining ethical misconduct standards, expanding rules to include not just employees but also volunteers and contractors, while tackling critical issues like student safety and communication policies.

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#NM #PolicyReform #CitizenPortal #NewMexicoEducation

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1 month ago

District weighing options to make up two storm-related lost days to avoid returning $1.7 million to state Administration told the board the district submitted a waiver after Winter Storm Fern; not making up two days could require returning about $1.7 million to the state and furloughing staff. Options discussed include Saturdays as community learning days, adjusting holiday days or limited remote instruction pending PED guidance.

The district faces tough choices after Winter Storm Fern, with a potential $1.7 million state funding loss looming if they can't make up two school days.

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#NM #CommunityLearning #CitizenPortal #InstructionalValue #FundingChallenges #NewMexicoEducation

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1 month ago

APS board approves $2.6 million housing‑stabilization contract to serve McKinney‑Vento students The board approved a $2.6 million state‑grant‑funded contract with Bernalillo County to provide eviction prevention and housing assistance for McKinney‑Vento eligible students in the 2025–26 school year; staff said the services cover all McKinney‑Vento students, including those in shelters or unstable housing.

The Albuquerque Public Schools board has made a groundbreaking move by approving a $2.6 million contract aimed at preventing evictions and stabilizing housing for vulnerable students.

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#NM #YouthStability #HousingAssistance #CitizenPortal #EvictionPrevention #NewMexicoEducation

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1 month ago

House passes memorial supporting 'Wild Friends' insect education and interagency workshop Lawmakers approved House Memorial 26 to support UNM’s 'Wild Friends' insect education work and to invite multiple state agencies to workshops at UNM, a program sponsor said has engaged over 14,000 students.

New Mexico lawmakers just passed a historic memorial to support the 'Wild Friends' program, engaging over 14,000 students in connecting science to civic action!

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#NM #CitizenPortal #CivicEngagement #NewMexicoEducation #YouthAdvocacy

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1 month ago

Committee advances memorial to study public education governance amid Martinez/Yazzie concerns House Memorial 30, which requests a study by the Legislative Education Study Committee to assess governance, roles and statutory barriers across early childhood, K–12 and higher education, received a do-pass recommendation; witnesses urged inclusive stakeholder representation and measurable guardrails tied to Martinez/Yazzie remedies.

House Memorial 30 is set to revolutionize public education governance in New Mexico by uniting diverse stakeholders to create a roadmap for a more cohesive system.

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#NM #EducationGovernance #CitizenPortal #InclusiveEngagement #StudentOutcomes #NewMexicoEducation

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2 months ago

Senate committee advances bill to preserve full‑time virtual education and fix related budget shortfalls The committee recommended the committee substitute for House Bill 253 as amended. The substitute preserves full‑time virtual education options, requires reporting and certification for full‑time virtual programs, includes temporary fiscal fixes to soften immediate budget impacts (including targeted funds for Gallup), and authorizes a comprehensive interim study.

The Senate Committee has taken a crucial step to ensure that full-time distance learning remains an option for students while addressing budget shortfalls that could impact rural districts.

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#NM #CitizenPortal #RuralEducation #NewMexicoEducation #FiscalTransparency

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2 months ago

Senate committee backs extending 80/20 health premium split for school employees The Senate Education Committee recommended a do‑pass for House Bill 47, which would set a minimum 80% employer / 20% employee health‑insurance premium contribution for school employees to match other public employees. An amendment to change procurement rules was proposed but not adopted; the bill moves to the Senate floor.

House Bill 47 is poised to transform health insurance for educators in New Mexico by ensuring employers cover 80% of premiums, a critical step toward fair treatment for school employees.

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#NM #CitizenPortal #TeacherSupport #NewMexicoEducation #PublicPolicy #HealthInsuranceReform

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2 months ago

Committee recommends do-pass on multiple education measures, advances constitutional amendment for regents nominations The Senate Education Committee gave do-pass/due-pass recommendations to HJR 1 (regents nominating commissions), SB 306 (higher-ed reporting alignment), SB 210 (Highlands University facilities funding, $80M request) and others; committee noted a fiscal-report discrepancy on SB 210.

The Senate Education Committee is making waves with key recommendations on higher education funding and new regents nominating commissions that could reshape student agency in New Mexico!

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#NM #CitizenPortal #HigherEdReform #FiscalAccountability #NewMexicoEducation

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2 months ago

Committee recommends due‑pass on amended bill to adjust funding and reporting for distance learning programs The House Appropriations and Finance Committee gave a due‑pass recommendation to a substituted, amended bill that removes several restrictions on full‑time distance learning, requires school reporting and authorizes PED evaluations; an amendment averages Gallup Public Schools’ enrollment across two years to soften a projected $49 million funding cliff to roughly $23–26 million.

A pivotal change in New Mexico's distance learning landscape could reshape education funding and access for thousands of students, with significant implications for the Gallup Public Schools.

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#NM #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #EducationFunding #NewMexicoEducation

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2 months ago

Senate committee backs changes to teacher-residency stipends and service rules The Senate Education Committee recommended a do-pass for HB 30, which indexes teacher-residency stipends to entry-level teacher pay and expands flexibility on service locations to help recruit and retain educators, supporters told the committee.

New Mexico's House Bill 30 could revolutionize the teaching landscape by making residency programs more financially viable and attractive for aspiring educators.

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#NM #CitizenPortal #EducationReform #WorkforceDevelopment #NewMexicoEducation #TeacherResidency

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2 months ago

Senate committee approves $5M measures for UNM and NMSU student‑athlete and student support programs The committee recommended do‑pass on Senate Bills 243 and 244, each proposing $5 million for institutional student health, nutrition, travel and athletics needs; athletic directors from both campuses described travel and new revenue‑share requirements as drivers of the request.

New Mexico's Senate Education Committee just backed $5 million funding for each university to bolster student health and athletics amidst skyrocketing travel costs!

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#NM #AthleticFunding #CitizenPortal #StudentSupport #HigherEducation #NewMexicoEducation

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2 months ago

Committee advances math bill that requires early screeners and new teacher-prep coursework The House Education Committee adopted an amendment and gave a do-pass to Senate Bill 29, which creates a statewide math framework with early screening and family notification and requires additional mathematics methods coursework for teacher preparation pathways. Supporters cited low proficiency and workforce needs; districts urged more study on timeline and capacity.

A new statewide math framework in New Mexico aims to boost student proficiency by enhancing teacher preparation and introducing quick screening tools for early intervention.

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#NM #CitizenPortal #EducationReform #NumeracyScreening #NewMexicoEducation #TeacherPreparation

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2 months ago

Committee approves memorial to study teacher workloads after survey finds heavy paperwork and strain House Education Committee gave a due‑pass recommendation to House Memorial 47 directing study of teacher roles and non‑instructional workload after testimony that a district survey found many teachers reporting unmanaged workload, paperwork overload and poor work‑life balance.

New Mexico teachers are facing overwhelming workloads and paperwork, with nearly half reporting a poor work-life balance—will the new study lead to the support they desperately need?

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#NM #CitizenPortal #EducationReform #WorkLifeBalance #TeacherWorkload #NewMexicoEducation

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2 months ago

House committee advances substitute tightening oversight of full‑time distance learning; Gallup faces large funding cut The House Education Committee approved a committee substitute for House Bill 253 (8–4) that expands state oversight and reporting for full‑time distance‑learning programs, allows PED to certify compliance and withhold funds for noncompliance, and includes temporary finance provisions that staff said would reduce Gallup School District funding by about $49 million while redistributing roughly $40 million statewide.

The House Education Committee just took a bold step to tighten oversight of online learning programs, potentially slashing Gallup School District's funding by $49 million!

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#NM #CitizenPortal #EducationOversight #NewMexicoEducation #DistanceLearning #FundingImpact

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2 months ago

Panel advances bill to raise and index teacher residency stipends, broaden hiring flexibility The House committee gave HB30 a do‑pass recommendation after sponsors and education groups said indexing residency stipends to beginning teacher pay and raising amounts for degree‑holders will improve recruitment and retention; witnesses warned funding choices could reduce slots or shift stipends elsewhere.

New Mexico is taking a bold step to enhance teacher residencies by linking stipends to starting teacher salaries, ensuring better support for future educators!

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#NM #CitizenPortal #EducationalReform #FundingEducation #NewMexicoEducation #TeacherPreparation

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2 months ago

Committee debates restoring appointed state board of education; resolution does not advance Senate Joint Resolution 3 (SJR3) to send a constitutional question to voters to restore an appointed state board of education prompted extended debate and mixed testimony; supporters urged greater stability for education leadership, opponents warned of reduced public accountability and unspecified appointment mechanisms, and the committee did not advance the resolution at this meeting.

A heated debate in New Mexico's Senate Education Committee over the proposed restoration of an appointed State Board of Education has left the future of educational leadership hanging in the balance.

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#NM #VoterEngagement #CitizenPortal #NewMexicoEducation #EducationStability

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2 months ago

Committee gives due pass to school-restraint bill after hours of testimony on training, safety and rural concerns House Bill 120, which narrows when physical restraint and seclusion may be used in schools and mandates training, documentation and review, received extensive testimony from advocates and educators; the committee recorded a due pass by roll call (7–2–5). Supporters said the bill protects students and clarifies practice; opponents warned of unfunded mandates and risks for small or rural districts.

New Mexico’s House Bill 120 aims to reshape how schools handle restraint and seclusion, emphasizing training and prevention to protect students and staff alike.

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#NM #DisabilityRights #CitizenPortal #TrainingReform #NewMexicoEducation #SchoolSafety

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2 months ago

House work group debates CTE funding plan, keeps $12 million pilot with 50% local match Lawmakers pressed staff on a proposed $12 million career‑technical education pilot that includes a 50% local match, raised concerns about reporting and unspent awards in prior NextGen/innovation grants, and asked staff for LEA‑level data and clearer statutory language to ensure funds reach intended programs.

Lawmakers in New Mexico are debating a bold $12 million pilot for career-technical education that could transform local workforce pathways, but concerns over funding equity and past grant performance loom large.

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#NM #EducationPolicy #PublicFunding #NewMexicoEducation

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2 months ago

Lawmakers push to protect CTE funding and broaden charter hold‑harmless after HB63 impacts Members warned that LFC's reduction of the CTE bucket and LFC's $6 million charter‑only hold‑harmless could harm students; representatives asked that hold‑harmless aid Magdalena and other districts, and urged reviewing moving some funding into recurring appropriations.

Lawmakers are sounding the alarm on proposed cuts to Career and Technical Education funding that could jeopardize students' pathways to success!

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#NM #StudentSupport #NewMexicoEducation #FundingEquity #CitizenPortal #CareerTechnicalEducation

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2 months ago

LESC staff warn enrollment decline will reshape K‑12 budget; 80/20 health plan would add roughly $73 million LASC staff told the Legislative Education Study Committee that state K‑12 enrollment has fallen about 10% since FY18 and that the Legislative Finance Committee recommends a $44.9 million reduction to the State Equalization Guarantee. Staff also described proposals to increase employer health‑insurance cost share to 80/20 with an estimated $73.2 million price tag.

New Mexico's K-12 schools face a staggering 10% decline in enrollment since 2018, forcing tough budget decisions that could impact student services.

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#NM #HealthInsuranceReform #BudgetAdjustments #CitizenPortal #K12Enrollment #NewMexicoEducation

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2 months ago

Senate committee gives ‘do pass’ to High Quality Literacy Instruction Act after hours of testimony The New Mexico Senate Education Committee voted to give Senate Bill 37 a "do pass" recommendation after sponsor remarks, a Public Education Department briefing and wide public testimony supporting structured literacy, while stakeholders raised concerns about coach funding, materials flexibility and retention policy.

New Mexico's Senate Education Committee has advanced a groundbreaking literacy bill that could boost reading proficiency by up to 12% in schools statewide!

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#NM #EducationReform #LiteracyInstruction #CitizenPortal #CivicAccountability #NewMexicoEducation

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3 months ago

Deming board hears new strategic‑plan partnership and calendar survey results; Everest Analytics to support plan refinement Board heard a presentation of a proposed partnership with Everest Analytics to refine Deming Public Schools’ strategic plan, provide monthly monitoring and quarterly outcome reports, and build board visibility into implementation; staff also presented calendar survey results showing strong support for ending before Memorial Day and preferences for PD scheduling and conference timing.

The Deming board is taking bold steps toward a refined strategic plan and a school calendar that aligns with community preferences—find out what changes are on the horizon!

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#NM #CommunityEngagement #StrategicPlanning #CitizenPortal #ProfessionalDevelopment #NewMexicoEducation

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4 months ago

Board accepts monitoring report on bilingual seal; administration outlines recruitment, early warning steps The APS Board on Nov. 19 accepted the progress monitoring report for Interim Goal 3.1 (bilingual seal). Administrators described a preK–12 bilingual pathway, early‑warning data tools, expanded indigenous language access and recruitment strategies for bilingual/TESOL educators; the board requested follow‑up data.

Albuquerque Public Schools is taking bold steps toward bilingual education, aiming to equip students with the skills they need for the future while fostering cultural connections.

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#NM #CitizenPortal #IndigenousLanguage #NewMexicoEducation #CulturalBelonging

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5 months ago

Board hears milestone and state assessment update; officials flag math proficiency and K–2 assessment questions Associate Superintendent Cindy Barris presented district milestone and state-assessment data, reporting milestone-bank development by teachers, concerns about math proficiency statewide and locally, and a vendor claim about the K–2 Istation/Amira product not being intended for proficiency determinations.

The Silver Consolidated Board of Education is revamping its assessment system to better predict student performance and tackle pressing concerns about math proficiency.

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#NM #CitizenPortal #NewMexicoEducation #AssessmentReform #K12Literacy #MathEquity

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6 months ago

New Mexico Education Officials Discuss Preliminary Data and Upcoming Accountability Reports Officials anticipate lifting data embargo on October 3 and report student success metrics.

Albuquerque Public Schools is sharpening its focus on reading fluency to boost student comprehension, with critical performance data set to be unveiled soon.

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#NM #CitizenPortal #StudentFluency #NewMexicoEducation #EducationalStrategies #DataTransparency

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8 months ago

Former College President Advocates Growth Model for Dual Language Student Assessment Education expert stresses the need for growth measurement over status in dual language education.

A former college president reveals how shifting to a growth model in assessments could transform the future of dual language learners in New Mexico.

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#NM #CitizenPortal #StudentGrowth #DualLanguageLearners #NewMexicoEducation #AssessmentReform

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8 months ago

La Cueva Parent Advocates for Educational Excellence Across APS Schools Parent emphasizes the need for improved communication and resource sharing in APS schools.

A passionate La Cueva mom is rallying parents and educators to demand better communication and resources in Albuquerque Public Schools, advocating for an exceptional education for every child.

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#NM #CitizenPortal #NewMexicoEducation #CommunityInvolvement #EducationalExcellence

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8 months ago

Gadsden ISD Director Nicholas Wilkamet Reflects on 23-Year Career Ahead of New Role Wilkamet expresses gratitude to Gadsden ISD community before becoming Deming Public Schools superintendent.

Gadsden ISD is set to kick off its second annual race on October 18, celebrating community engagement and honoring the legacy of Director Nicholas Wilkamet as he transitions to a new role.

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#NM #CitizenPortal #NewMexicoEducation #CommunityEngagement #PhysicalEducation

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9 months ago

Gadsden education coordinator prioritizes balanced education and teacher support for District 4 Coordinator emphasizes balanced opportunities and teacher training to enhance student achievement.

A seasoned education coordinator is advocating for a balanced approach to learning in District 4, emphasizing the importance of teacher support and student engagement.

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#NM #StudentAchievement #CitizenPortal #TeacherSupport #NewMexicoEducation #GovernanceCollaboration

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9 months ago

APS community demands accountability and equity in school governance process Community members question APS board decisions and stress the importance of equity for students.

Albuquerque's education community is demanding accountability and equity from APS, highlighting urgent concerns that could reshape student outcomes.

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#NM #EquityInEducation #CitizenPortal #NewMexicoEducation #CommunityEngagement #TransparencyInGovernance