SENATE BILL 124

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Gay G. Kernan

FOR THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE

AN ACT

RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION; CREATING THE SCHOOL LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE; PROVIDING POWERS AND DUTIES; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. A new section of Chapter 21 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] SCHOOL LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE--CREATED--PURPOSE.--

          A. The "school leadership institute" is created and is administratively attached to the higher education department. The department shall provide administrative services for the institute. The institute shall provide a comprehensive and cohesive framework for preparing, mentoring and providing professional development for principals and other public school leaders.

          B. The institute shall offer at least the following programs:

                (1) licensure preparation for aspiring principals;

                (2) mentoring for new principals and other public school leaders;

                (3) intensive support for principals at schools in need of improvement;

                (4) professional development for aspiring superintendents; and

                (5) mentoring for new superintendents.

          C. The institute shall partner with state agencies, institutions of higher education and professional associations to identify and recruit candidates for the institute."

     Section 2. APPROPRIATION.--Two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) is appropriated from the appropriation contingency fund of the general fund to the higher education department for expenditure in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 to establish the school leadership institute and provide for salaries and benefits for up to three full-time-equivalent positions. The appropriation shall be from the separate account of the appropriation contingency fund created in Laws 2004, Chapter 114, Section 12, commonly known as the "education lockbox". Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2010 shall revert to the appropriation contingency fund.

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