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

REQUESTING THE CONTINUATION OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION TASK FORCE.

WHEREAS, the public school transportation distribution of the public school fund is used for the purpose of making payments to each school district for to-and-from school transportation costs of students in grades kindergarten through twelve, three- and four-year-old developmentally delayed children and for transporting students to vocational education programs; and

WHEREAS, there is a perception that the current public school transportation formula has not been fair and equitable to school districts; and

WHEREAS, the public school transportation task force was instituted during the 1997 and 1998 legislative interims to provide school districts and school bus contractors with the opportunity to provide input into the process and assist the state department of public education in seeking a fair and equitable process for funding transportation; and

WHEREAS, the public school transportation task force believes that there are a number of issues regarding transportation that need to be monitored during the implementation of funding formula changes;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the legislative education study committee, in cooperation with the state department of public education and the school superintendents, be requested to continue the public school transportation task force; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be requested to monitor the implementation of changes to the funding formula and the transportation management information system and study the methods used for distribution of capital outlay; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force report its findings and recommendations to the legislative education study committee by November 1, 1999; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the director of the legislative education study committee, the superintendent of public instruction and the director of the New Mexico school superintendents' association.