Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The superintendent of Logan Municipal Schools informed school board members last week of bills in the New Mexico Legislature that may affect school districts, including one that could lengthen the school year.
Superintendent Dennis Roch said during the board’s Feb. 13 meeting about House Bill 130, would increase the yearly minimum instruction time from 1,080 to 1,140 hours.
However, he said that 60-hour increase can be used for professional development entirely, which has gained support from the state’s superintendents and teacher unions.
Another bill, HB 194, would require 1,140 hours of instruction time, plus professional development on top of that.
Roch also talked about other bills:
— HB 285, which would create an Office of Special Education, appointed by the governor. Superintendents, school boards and special education directors have voiced opposition to the measure.
— HB 126, which would give school districts more flexibility in defining graduation requirements. Roch said it’s a bipartisan measure that’s “getting traction” from lawmakers.
— Senate Bill 4, which would give free school lunches to all children. Roch said some have questioned whether such a measure is fiscally sustainable.
— SB 234, which would ban all soda sales on school grounds. Soda sales to students are prohibited, but not in the teachers’ lounge or at concession stands during games.
— SJR 1, which would change the New Mexico Constitution to eliminate the Public Education Department and transition to an elected state board of education.
After an executive session to discuss litigation and possible land acquisition, board action was postponed on the district’s involvement in a mass-action lawsuit against vape manufacturer JUUL until the district receives a formal settlement offer.
The board voted to make an offer buying some land, but it requires the seller’s acceptance before entering into a purchase agreement. The board had been discussing a land acquisition in closed session during the last few meetings.