HOUSE BILL 159

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

Bill McCamley

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING; PROVIDING FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS COACH PROGRAM UNITS; PROVIDING FOR A ONE-TIME SALARY DIFFERENTIAL OR STIPEND FOR SUCH COACHES EACH YEAR; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

     SECTION 1. A new section of the Public School Finance Act is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS COACHING--COACH PROGRAM UNITS--QUALIFIED COACHES.--

          A. The number of program units for science, technology, engineering and mathematics coaches is determined by multiplying by one-fourth for middle school coaches and one-half for high school coaches the number of those coaches employed by or contracted with the school district or charter school on or before the first reporting date of the school year and verified by the department. Department approval of these units is contingent on verification by the school district or charter school that these coaches are receiving a one-time salary differential or contract stipend equal to or greater than the amount generated by the units multiplied by the program unit value during the fiscal year in which the school district or charter school will receive these units.

          B. Coaches shall receive the one-time salary differential or contract stipend each year at the end of their service for that year.

          C. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics coaches may be licensed school employees or school volunteers. A coach shall:

                (1) serve as a science, technology, engineering or mathematics club sponsor;

                (2) with club members, develop club activities and goals and identify competitions in which club members will participate; and

                (3) assist students as needed to reach club goals.

          D. An applicant who is not a licensed school employee and wishes to serve as a science, technology, engineering and mathematics coach shall submit a resume and letter of interest to the local superintendent. The applicant shall submit to a background check as required for licensed school employees in the School Personnel Act. The local superintendent shall consider the qualifications of all applicants and select the most qualified applicants to serve as science, technology, engineering and mathematics coaches."

     SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION.--Six hundred sixty thousand dollars ($660,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the state equalization guarantee distribution of the public school fund for expenditure in fiscal year 2017 to provide salary differentials or stipends for science, technology, engineering and mathematics coaches. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2017 shall revert to the general fund.

     SECTION 3. APPLICABILITY.--The provisions of this act apply to the 2016-2017 and succeeding school years.

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