NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.

Only the most recent FIR version, excluding attachments, is available on the Intranet. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC office in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates/Relates to Appropriation in The General Appropriation Act: HB81,HB82, HB378 HB 414

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

State Department of Education (SDE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 503 relates to elementary and secondary education, provides for additional procedures when a local board is suspended from authority, assists public schools that fail to meet education standards, authorizes redemption of vouchers at public and private schools by students attending public schools that fail to meet state education standards; enacts the Children's Educational Guarantee Act, amends and enacts sections of the Public School Code.

If House Bill 503 is enacted it would:

- expand the authority of the State Department of Public Education to include taking over the control and management of a public school that fails to meet the requirements of law or education standards adopted by the State Board of Education;

- extend the enforcement authority (including suspension from authority) of the State Superintendent for failure to meet requirements to local superintendents and school principals in addition to local school boards;

- the State Superintendent is directed to appoint independent assistance teams to independently assess school districts ans public schools and to make recommendations to the State Board following the suspension of a local school board;

- proposes to enact the Children's Educational Guarantee Act so as to make vouchers available to students eligible for enrollment at a public elementary or secondary school that fails to meet education standards adopted by the State Board of Education.

The State Department of Education has provided technical and substantive issues related to House Bill 503, they are attached.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The fiscal impact is indeterminate. The SDE indicates that a fiscal impact report will be provided under a separate cover. This bill is similar to other legislation introduced this session that relates to school reform, and because of the complexity of the issues the appropriation is detailed in separate legislation.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

According to SDE, the passage of HB 503 would have a significant impact upon the department and local school districts.

CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP

House Bill 81, House Bill 84, House Bill 378 and House Bill 414.

The department also indicates that, Section 22-1-4 NMSA 1978 currently provides for "open enrollment " within New Mexico. As long as maximum allowable class size is not met or exceeded by enrollment of first priority students, the school is required to enroll other students in accordance with the priorities established by statue.

The bill does not address the interface with the 1999 Charter Schools Act.

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Attachments