44th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2000

REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE TO CONDUCT A SURVEY OF CLASSIFIED PUBLIC SCHOOL PERSONNEL SALARY SCHEDULES IN LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

WHEREAS, there is a critical need to raise the salaries of classified public school personnel; and

WHEREAS, classified public school personnel currently receive low salaries and often lack professional development opportunities; and

WHEREAS, there is significant evidence that the work of classified public school personnel augments and enhances the delivery of the services of certified personnel; and

WHEREAS, the recruitment and retention of high quality teachers is imperative in ensuring that students in the state receive a strong education; and

WHEREAS, the quality of the education that students receive is also based on the support that classified public school personnel provide to the schools; and

WHEREAS, it is evident that classified public school personnel in the public school systems struggle with low salaries; and

WHEREAS, the instructional staff training and experience index provides local school districts with a means to encourage and reward teacher training and experience; and

WHEREAS, there is no mechanism to encourage local school districts to provide classified public school personnel with similar salary incentives;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the legislative education study committee be requested to conduct a survey of classified public school personnel salary schedules in New Mexico public school districts; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislative education study committee be requested to gather input from classified public school employees when conducting the survey; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the survey be used as the basis, upon consultation with the affected employees and employers, for recommending a mechanism similar to the instructional staff training and experience index to the 2001 legislature in order to provide incentives to school districts to improve professional development and salary enhancements for classified public school personnel; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the chairman of the legislative education study committee for appropriate distribution.