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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR HEC

DATE TYPED 03/03/05 HB 933/HECS

SHORT TITLE Pojoaque Schools Teacher Development

SB

ANALYST Chabot

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

$75.0

Recurring General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Education Committee Substitute for House Bill 933 appropriates $75 thousand from the

general fund to the Public Education Department (PED) for the purpose of training Pojoaque

Valley public school teachers in prevention and intervention strategies for substance abuse and

child abuse.

Significant Issues

Substance abuse is a major problem in some Northern New Mexico counties. This problem also

shows up in abuse and neglect of children. Teachers are often the first individuals that can detect

changes in a student’s behavior, personality or performance. Professional training will assist

teachers in recognizing patterns indication abuse or neglect at home. In addition, family drug

abuse problems may manifest themselves in the child’s reactions to classroom situations. A

teacher’s early detection of potential problems can lead to getting families or the child help to

combat the problems of drug or child abuse.

PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

Children who are safe in their environment perform better in the classroom.

House Bill 933/HECS -- Page 2

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $75 thousand contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general

fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2006 shall

revert to the general fund.

The LFC FY06 appropriation recommendation is balanced between revenues and expenditures

and any increase in recurring funding must be offset by reductions in other areas of the recom-

mendation. The Legislature must consider all priorities and funding requirements to find reve-

nue to support this legislation.

Education reform may require the expenditures of at least an additional $26 million in FY07 as

follows: $16 million for raising minimum salaries of level 3-A teachers to $45,000; $4 million

for pre-kindergarten; and $6 million for fine arts. These will be in addition to expected increased

costs for opening the doors (fixed costs, insurance, enrollment growth, and increased employer

contributions to the educational retirement fund) which could be another $35 million. In addi-

tion, $4 million is needed for increased employer contributions to educational retirement fund

from higher education institutions. It may be prudent to avoid additional commitments to recur-

ring appropriations in future fiscal years.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The Pojoaque Valley Public School district will need to determine the best method for obtaining

and delivering the desired training.

WHAT WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ENACTING THIS BILL.

Teachers may not receive training in the early detection of child abuse and potential drug abuse

problems.

GAC/lg