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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to SB 248

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC files

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Joint Memorial requests the SDE and NMAA (New Mexico Activities Association) in conjunction with school districts, develop and implement an intermural competition and that participating students be allowed to "letter" in one or more academic subjects.

Significant Issues

The issues stemming from this bill include:

• Traditionally, the NMAA has been the governing body over interscholastic competitions in New Mexico. Its policies and the activities governed by its policies have been determined by a vote of participating schools. NMAA staff enforce the policies adopted by its governing board which is comprised of superintendents from participating school districts and representatives from the SBE and non-public schools. The SBE also exercises some oversight over the NMAA's operations.



• The memorial recognizes the responsibility of the three entities responsible for establishing interscholastic competitions. The SDE reports that the NMAA currently has 19 different activity and academic organizations representing a wide variety of disciplines, such as Math/Science, Speech/Debate, Future Farmers of America, Journalism and Academic Decathlon.



• The long-range plan of the NMAA, according to information it submitted to the SDE, is "to align activity competitions with athletic competitions."



• The NMAA has indicated its strong support for the implementation of academic competitions.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

None apparent at the state level. Expenses incurred for coaches, equipment, travel and other elements that are a part of the program will be incurred by local school boards. At first glance, it does not appear these academic competitions, however desirable and productive for students, will be revenue generating events - at least in the formative years.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

Employees of local school boards will be charged with administering and implementing the activities.

LB/gm