SENATE BILL 135

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2005

INTRODUCED BY

William E. Sharer

AN ACT

RELATING TO SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION; PROVIDING FOR A LEADERSHIP ACADEMY FOR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

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

     Section 1. A new section of the School Personnel Act is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] LEADERSHIP ACADEMY.--The department shall institute a leadership academy for level three-A and three-B licensees teaching or administering in public school districts, including charter schools. The leadership academy shall emphasize leadership training for level three-A teachers and school principals, but may provide courses for other school administrators and local school board members. The leadership academy shall not provide training in administrative functions. Proven leadership curricula may be purchased or received gratis from public or private sources. The department may conduct the leadership academy at one or more sites in New Mexico and is encouraged to select sites with appropriate facilities for residential programs. A leadership academy class may be of any duration as determined by the curriculum. The department shall notify each school district of the number and type of teachers or school administrators eligible to attend each leadership academy class. The department shall provide by rule how school personnel apply for and are accepted to the leadership academy. The department may charge tuition for leadership academy classes. Participants may receive per diem and mileage expenses as provided for employees in the Per Diem and Mileage Act or the department may determine by rule when a per diem allowance shall not be paid because room and board are provided by the academy. The department may use part of the appropriation for the leadership academy to pay the direct cost of providing room and board for participants or to reimburse participants for per diem and mileage expenses."

     Section 2. APPROPRIATION.--Three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the public education department for expenditure in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 to develop and conduct a leadership academy, with an emphasis on leadership training for level three-A teachers and school principals. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2006 shall revert to the general fund.

     Section 3. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.

- 3 -