FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 14, 2019
Contact: Chris Nordstrum chris.nordstrum@nmlegis.gov, 415-601-1992
LESC Previews Education Bill, Joins in LFC Funding Recommendations
Santa Fe, NM
Today in a joint press event with the Legislative Finance Committee, the Legislative Education Study Committee outlined the funding and legislative priorities for public education in the upcoming 60-day session of the New Mexico Legislature.
“The close collaboration between the LFC and LESC has resulted in a bold plan that will put the needs of New Mexico students at the forefront of this year’s legislative agenda,” says Senate Majority Whip and Chair of the LESC Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque). “Together with our colleagues in the LFC, we’ve addressed the ruling from Judge Singleton on the Martinez and Yazzie lawsuits to ensure that there is both a plan and sufficient funding to level the playing field and expand access to the high-quality education every student deserves.”
The budget recommendation from LFC includes money to expand K-3 Plus to K-5 Plus, and enough to fund the more than 90 thousand elementary school students at high-poverty and low-performing schools in FY20. There is also funding for increasing minimum teacher salaries and across-the-board salary increases for teachers and other school personnel.
“Our teachers and school personnel play a key role in improving the academic outcomes of students,” says Gay Kernan (R-Hobbs). “So it is incumbent upon us to treat them as the professionals they are and do everything we can to recruit and retain the very best. With higher base pay and salary increases I believe we will see improved morale, higher retention rates, and more people choosing to go into the teaching profession.”
“Our plan and the associated funding recommendations reflect a refocusing on our at-risk students. By fixing the funding formula and expanding programs geared toward early learners, we broaden the opportunities for schools across the state to participate and begin to close the achievement gap,” says Senator Bill Soules (D-Las Cruces), member of the LESC and Chair of the Senate Education Committee.
###