The New Mexico Legislature convened on November 15, 2024, for a meeting focused on legislative education issues, with discussions led by Director Sena and other committee members. The meeting aimed to address various topics, including budget requests, special education, and upcoming legislative proposals.

Director Sena opened the session by highlighting the importance of the upcoming election cycle, noting that several new members would join the legislature. He emphasized the need for an onboarding program to familiarize these new legislators with the committee's work and how staff can support them in addressing education-related issues.

A significant point of discussion was the New Mexico Public Education Department's (PED) request for an additional $2 million to enhance its special education division. This funding aims to bolster the department's capacity to support special education services, which have been a growing concern among legislators. Sena underscored the importance of aligning educational systems and ensuring they operate under a unified set of principles, suggesting that a streamlined approach could improve efficiency across the state.

The committee also previewed a proposed bill regarding restraint and seclusion practices in schools, which will be further discussed in December. This topic has garnered attention and will be a focal point in future meetings.

In closing, Director Sena expressed gratitude for the hard work of the committee staff, acknowledging their efforts in managing the increasing workload and maintaining high standards of service. He specifically recognized Office Administrator Alonso Baca for successfully overseeing the recent annual audit, which resulted in zero findings, a notable achievement for the department.

The meeting concluded with a call for further discussion on the need for detailed data collection in education, particularly in special education, as legislators prepare for upcoming legislative sessions. The committee's focus on these critical issues reflects ongoing efforts to enhance educational outcomes in New Mexico.