SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 24

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2006

INTRODUCED BY

Sue Wilson Beffort

FOR THE WELFARE REFORM OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT CREATE A COMMUNITY SCHOOL TASK FORCE TO STUDY WAYS TO ENHANCE COMMUNITY USE OF PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS FOR BEFORE- AND AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS.

     WHEREAS, the need for quality before- and after-school programs continues to increase with the numbers of working parents; and

     WHEREAS, before- and after-school programs can increase academic achievement while linking school-age children with the community; and

     WHEREAS, finding safe, affordable and stimulating before- and after-school programs can pose a challenge for working parents; and

     WHEREAS, "latchkey" children who leave school with no organized program for care or learning are at increased risk for danger; and

     WHEREAS, national figures demonstrate that only one-third of the children who need before- and after-school care receive such care and that federal grants fill only one-fourth of community school grant requests; and

     WHEREAS, public school support increases when community members participate in adult education programs, such as English as a second language or citizenship classes, skills enhancement, arts, crafts and other classes at local school buildings; and

     WHEREAS, taxpayers pay for public school buildings even when they are not in use and therefore benefit from efficient increases in use of school buildings; and

     WHEREAS, insurance coverage for community use of public school buildings is becoming more accessible; and

     WHEREAS, several community coalitions and departments within state government have considered ways to enhance use of public schools for community initiatives, but the groups lack a common focus;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the public education department be requested to create a community school task force to review the recommendations of the several studies and reports already completed on community schools and the inventory of child care programs now being completed by the children, youth and families department, and that the task force use those findings to recommend ways to enhance community use of public school buildings for before- and after-school programs; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the secretary of public education be requested to appoint to the community school task force the following:

          A. members of community schools coalitions;

          B. the compilers of the children, youth and families department child care inventory;

          C. one person who is involved in the twenty-first century community learning centers program within the public education department;

          D. one person who is involved in the Albuquerque public schools community schools programs; and

          E. one person who is aware of the special problems of rural before- and after-school programs; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force meet during the 2006 interim and report its findings and its recommendations for legislation to the welfare reform oversight committee by its November 2006 meeting; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretaries of public education and children, youth and families and to school superintendents statewide.