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

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO APPOINT A TASK FORCE TO ATTEMPT TO ENSURE EQUITY IN THE APPLICATION OF INELIGIBILITY PERIODS IMPOSED FOLLOWING THE TRANSFER OF A STUDENT.

WHEREAS, thousands of New Mexico families have taken the opportunity to improve the quality of their education, instruction and services they receive by transferring schools under the state law allowing open enrollment; and

WHEREAS, some students possess athletic talents that enrich their high school experiences and, in some cases, contribute tangibly to their ability to attend and succeed in higher education; and

WHEREAS, some athletic coaches unscrupulously recruit student-athletes in order to selfishly improve their own stature among their colleagues and the public; and

WHEREAS, because of this unethical action, the New Mexico activities association has taken it upon itself to impose ineligibility periods on student-athletes who choose to transfer schools; and

WHEREAS, these restrictions have been applied unevenly among schools and school districts, denying student-athletes the same opportunities to succeed academically and athletically;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to appoint a task force consisting of legislators and representatives of school district superintendents, principals, coaches, the New Mexico activities association, parents and any other interested parties as may be appropriate to work toward an acceptable method of ensuring equity in the application of ineligibility periods following a student's transfer; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that whatever solution is proposed put the student-athlete's needs and concerns ahead of all others.