SENATE BILL 290

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

William P. Soules

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOL FINANCE; GIVING SCHOOL DISTRICTS THE FLEXIBILITY NEEDED TO OPERATE WHEN THE STATE EQUALIZATION GUARANTEE IS REDUCED AFTER SCHOOL BUDGETS HAVE BEEN APPROVED; WAIVING CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS WHEN SUCH FUNDING SHORTFALLS OCCUR; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

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] FISCAL CRISIS--TEMPORARY WAIVER OF REQUIREMENTS.--

          A. When the legislature decreases the state equalization guarantee by two percent or more or when the secretary of public education decreases the unit value by two percent or more after school budgets have been approved, a local school board may change statutory minimums for individual class load, teaching load and length of school day or school year; modify staffing patterns, subject areas and purchases of instructional materials; or make other adjustments as required. The local school board may keep these measures in place until the end of the school year.

          B. The local superintendent and the local school board shall seek input from school employees, parents and other community members on the budget adjustments.

          C. The school district shall report to the department the steps it has taken to avoid deficit spending and shall report again when statutory minimum requirements are restored."

     SECTION 2. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.

- 2 -