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Committee backs charter school audit and finance changes to let locally authorized charters select auditors and qualify as boards of finance
Summary
Senate Education Committee gave SB245 a do‑pass recommendation to allow locally authorized charter schools to select their own auditors and to qualify as boards of finance, a change state‑authorized charters already have; proponents said it increases financial transparency and direct access to grants, opponents urged care for local oversight and
The Senate Education Committee gave Senate Bill 245 a do‑pass recommendation after testimony from charter leaders and school district representatives. SB245 would require separate audits for charter schools and allow locally authorized charter schools to qualify as boards of finance so they can administer certain funds and apply directly for state grants.
Sponsor Senator Mark Maestas described the bill as a technical change that ‘‘tweaks’’ the charter school statute to allow a locally authorized charter to select its auditor and, if it chooses, to operate as a board of finance. Matt Paul of Public Charter Schools of New Mexico said the change would let charter schools develop a direct relationship with their auditors rather than being an ‘‘afterthought’’ as a component unit of a district audit. Paul also said board‑of‑finance status would let locally authorized charters apply directly for state grants and avoid losing a portion of federal indirects to the district.
Supporters — including locally authorized charter leaders and superintendent organizations — said separate audits would improve accountability and help small charter operators manage budgets. Asia Curry, interim director of Rio Gallinas Charter School, said the change would let locally authorized charters ‘‘reach students in a more positive way’’ by reducing administrative barriers for grant administration. Bonnie Lightfoot, president of the New Mexico Coalition of Educational Leaders (NEMCELL), and other witnesses said separation of audits can improve transparency.
Opponents and some school district representatives urged caution. A school‑district witness argued local authorizers provide important oversight through charter contracts and that the district role should not be diminished; the witness asked the sponsor to consider retaining district involvement for locally authorized charters. Several senators questioned whether rural charter schools could find auditors and expressed concern about the added cost of a separate audit; testimony and committee discussion noted an audit cost estimate in the fiscal analysis of roughly $20,000 and that charter schools currently share audit costs with authorizing districts.
Votes at a glance: The committee voted to report SB245 with a do‑pass recommendation. Senators moved and seconded the do‑pass motion and the committee chair announced a do‑pass result at the end of the hearing.
Remaining details and implementation: The bill requires rule and administrative steps to let locally authorized charters become boards of finance by July 1, 2026. Committee members asked for clarifications about auditor availability in rural areas and how separate audits will be coordinated with district audits; the sponsor said if auditor capacity is insufficient a charter would continue to be audited through the district as today. Proponents argued the change is voluntary for charters and intended to increase direct accountability and grant access.
What’s next: The committee reported SB245 with a do‑pass recommendation; the bill will move to the next committee as scheduled.
