44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

RELATING TO EDUCATION; CREATING A TASK FORCE TO REVIEW MERIT PAY FOR TEACHERS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

Section 1. TEACHER MERIT PAY TASK FORCE CREATED.--The "teacher merit pay task force" is created.

Section 2. MEMBERSHIP--APPOINTMENT--VACANCIES-- COMPENSATION.--

A. The teacher merit pay task force shall be composed of eighteen members.

B. Members of the task force shall be appointed as follows:

(1) three members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

(2) two members appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives;

(3) three members appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate;

(4) two members appointed by the minority leader of the senate;

(5) one member of the governor's staff appointed by the governor;

(6) three members of the business community, who are not employed in education services, appointed by the governor;

(7) three school parents, who are not employed in education services, appointed by the governor; and

(8) one member appointed by the state board of education.

C. Vacancies on the task force shall be filled by appointment in the same manner as the original appointments.

D. The speaker of the house of representatives and the president pro tempore of the senate shall each designate one co-chairman of the task force.

E. The members of the task force shall be paid pursuant to the Per Diem and Mileage Act and shall receive no other perquisite, compensation or allowance.

Section 3. DUTIES.--

A. After its appointment, the teacher merit task force shall hold one organizational meeting to develop a work plan.

B. The task force shall hold monthly meetings.

C. The task force shall examine the statutes, constitutional provisions, rules and court decisions governing merit pay for teachers in New Mexico and shall recommend legislation or changes, if any are found, to the legislature.

D. The task force shall examine what other states have done to recognize the importance of rewarding educators who strive to improve the quality of education and student performance.

E. The task force shall examine what other states have done to provide incentives for educators who improve student performance in the classroom and who decrease the dropout rate in their classrooms.

F. The task force shall examine what other states have done to reward educators who demonstrate the achievement of excellence with their students.

G. The task force shall examine what other states have done to compensate educators who assume additional educational responsibilities.

H. The task force shall examine how to increase New Mexico's educational proficiency as compared to other states and what role teachers can contribute to student proficiency.

I. The task force shall determine standards for teacher merit pay in the classroom and schools in New Mexico.

Section 4. REPORT.--The teacher merit task force shall make a report of its findings and recommendations for the consideration of the legislative education study committee preceding each session.

Section 5. STAFF.--The staff for the teacher merit task force shall be provided by the legislative education study committee and the legislative council service.

Section 6. APPROPRIATION.--Twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the legislative council service for expenditure in fiscal year 2000 to assist the teacher merit pay task force in carrying out its duties. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2000 shall revert to the general fund.