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

SPONSOR Campos

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

2-10-2006

2-10-2006 HB

SHORT TITLE Luna Community College Math & Science Program SB 559

ANALYST Dearing

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY06

FY07

$250.0

Recurring

General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED)

New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 559 appropriates $250,000 from the general fund to the Governing Board of Luna

Community College in fiscal year 2007 for the purpose of expansion of the mathematics, science

& technology program, to improve alignment and articulation among local school districts and

the community college.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $250,000 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund.

Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2007 shall revert

to the general fund.

This request was not on the list of priority projects submitted by LCC to the New Mexico Higher

Education Department (NMHED) for review and was not included in NMHED's funding rec-

ommendation for FY07.

NMHED is committed to the adequate and equitable support of necessary instructional, student

services, and academic support initiatives for all students in New Mexico. Activities to be funded

Senate Bill 559 – Page

2

in this proposal are currently recommended for funding through the Instruction and General

(I&G) higher education funding formula within the General Appropriation Act. Funding of this

program without consideration of similar needs at all institutions could weaken the equitability

and thus the integrity of the established I&G formula funding process.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

The appropriation sought after within this bill will allow Luna Community College the ability to

create and strengthen outreach programs with schools including Wagon Mound Public Schools,

Spring Municipal Schools, Maxwell Municipal Schools, Mora Independent Schools, Las Vegas

City Public Schools, West Las Vegas Public Schools and Santa Rosa Consolidated Schools. The

goals of this outreach program are intended to align curriculum, such that the lower level

schools’ material prepares students for a smooth transition into higher education. In general, pro-

grams of this nature promote increased teaching of core competencies in math and science to fa-

cilitate ease of transition.

LCC is a public post-secondary institution committed to serving the changing needs of its student

population and the surrounding communities. Its mission is to provide comprehensive education,

preparation for relevant employment, and opportunities for life-long learning. The guiding prin-

ciples of LCC are to: Prepare students for employment in entry-level positions through a broad

range of vocational, technical, and professional education programs; enhance job effectiveness

and continue training in keeping up with changes in the job market and technology; assist stu-

dents in gaining equitable accessibility to education opportunities; provide continuing education

and community service to northeastern New Mexico; and offer certificates and Associates of

Arts and Applied Sciences degrees.

LCC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electronic Engineering, Drafting Tech-

nology, and Manufacturing Technology and awards certificates in Drafting and Electronics.

Electronics Engineering Technology is designed to provide students with technical knowledge

and skills necessary for employment in the field of electronics and its related occupations. Draft-

ing Technology and Manufacturing Technology degrees provide students with technical knowl-

edge and skills necessary for employment in the field of drafting, manufacturing, and related

fields upon transfer to a four-year university.

The LCC Mathematics, Science, and Technology Department will use the appropriations from

this bill to upgrade equipment and labs for the Manufacturing Technology and Robotics courses.

Currently, there are 46 students who have declared majors participating in these programs. LCC

has an articulation agreement with Pecos High School and would like to establish articulation

agreements with West Las Vegas and Robertson High Schools. The articulation with Pecos High

School allows high school students to take classes at LCC once a week and use LCC's technol-

ogy and robotics lab/equipment. Although New Mexico Highlands is located in

same community, many LCC graduates do not transfer to NMHU due to course transfer is-

sues. LCC graduates are immersed in Algebra-based math courses and NMHU courses are calcu-

lus-based. LCC wishes to work with NMHU in developing an articulation agreement so that

more LCC graduates can transfer to NMHU.

Senate Bill 559 – Page

3

PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

The New Mexico Post-Secondary Educational Planning Act authorizes NMHED to identify

cases where "establishment of new programs and program expansion are needed in order to meet

the present and projected needs for post-secondary education on a statewide basis in an effective

and efficient manner." A requirement that educational sites receive approval for new programs or

program expansion from the NMHED prior to their operation is established through a pattern of

statutory requirements.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

LCC will offer and administer the programs requested in this proposal. Under NMHED proce-

dures for requests for program expansion LCC will be asked to provide a statement of need for

program expansion including: projected enrollment, cost associated with program expansion, and

existing program accomplishments.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

The promotion of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education pro-

grams within secondary institutions within New Mexico have recently been high-lighted as is-

sues that are at the forefront of both the New Mexico Federal Congressional Delegation’s as well

as the federal Executive’s funding and legislative initiatives. This initiative is an effort to pro-

mote New Mexico’s development of a technically proficient state population that is able to com-

pete in attracting investment at both the national and global level in high-tech manufacturing,

engineering and research.

There is an established correlation among STEM education programs and incrementally higher

rates of high-wage employment.

WHAT WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ENACTING THIS BILL

The Mathematics, Science, and Technology Program at LCC will have to seek other funding

sources to support the expansion of the program.

PD/nt