45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2002

RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS; REQUIRING SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO INFORM PARENTS AND OTHERS IF CERTAIN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ARE PROPOSED TO BE OFFERED IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS; MAKING PARTICIPATION NOT MANDATORY.

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

Section 1. A new section of the Public School Code is enacted to read:

"[NEW MATERIAL] EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS OF PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS--PARENTAL NOTIFICATION--PUBLIC HEARING--PARTICIPATION NOT MANDATORY.--

A. If a school district or a public school proposes to offer an educational program that is conducted, sponsored, carried on or caused to be carried on by a private organization or agency, the local school board shall notify parents, guardians and other interested persons of the proposal, including the contents of the educational program. Notification is not required to be by mail, but the school district or public school shall provide for the widest possible dissemination of the notice.

B. The local school board shall hold a public hearing to give parents, guardians, students and other interested persons an opportunity to comment on the proposed educational program.

C. If the local school board decides that the educational program should be offered, it shall submit its request for approval from the state board as required by Section 22-2-2 NMSA 1978. The request for approval shall include an objective synopsis of the public comments and the reason for the local board's decision.

D. Enrollment in an educational program that is conducted, sponsored, carried on or caused to be carried on by a private organization or agency shall require permission of the student's custodial parent or guardian."