House Education Committee backs bill to allow flexible community-school disbursements, rename fund for Jeanne Oakes

Senator Figueroa, sponsor of Senate Bill 387, told the House Education Committee the bill makes two primary changes: it removes a rigid disbursement requirement tied to a $150,000 threshold and renames the Community Schools Fund to honor Dr. Jeanne Oakes.

"This bill, Senate Bill 387, does 2 things. Number 1, and probably the most important thing, it adds 2 words to the disbursement language. It adds up to 150,000 is the disbursement rate setting statute, and that's a hard figure," Senator Figueroa said, adding the statutory language currently limits the Public Education Department's flexibility.

The change would allow the Public Education Department (PED) to make smaller awards when the Community Schools Fund balance is limited, a shift supporters said would let funds reach more districts. "They would like to see this money available to be disbursed in other amounts," Figueroa said. He also told the committee the bill would "rename our community schools fund to be called the Doctor Jeanne Oakes Memorial Community Schools Fund" in recognition of Oakes' work on community-school models.

Testimony from school leaders, unions and county officials emphasized the local impacts supporters expect from the change. Lillian Aertis of the New Mexico School Boards Association said, "We believe the program is very beneficial to our students. It addresses barriers holistically, and it creates an excellent learning environment for our students." Dan Weeks representing Bernalillo County and John Dirich of the American Federation of Teachers, New Mexico, both urged committee approval. Edward Webster of NEA New Mexico asked members to "Please vote yes on this bill."

District and county practitioners described outcomes they attribute to the community schools approach. Brian Garcia, community school development specialist for Albuquerque Public Schools, said the district has seen "tangible results in our community schools that range from improvements in attendance and chronic absenteeism, growth in students' skills, mindsets, and habits, as well as increased family and community engagement and partnerships." Deanna Creighton of the ABC Community School Partnership and Bernalillo County's community-school office said the proposed changes "will help ensure that resources are distributed fairly and effectively." Michael Nolan, community schools coordinator for Penasco Independent School District, described increases in reading scores and post‑graduation outcomes at his high school.

After public testimony, Representative Latta moved a do-pass recommendation; the motion was seconded and, with no opposition recorded in the hearing transcript, the committee issued a do-pass recommendation on Senate Bill 387.

The bill's supporters said the statutory change is intended to give PED discretion to award smaller grants when the fund is limited and to honor Dr. Jeanne Oakes by renaming the fund. Committee members did not record further amendments or a roll-call vote in the transcript; committee staff and PED representatives were present to answer technical questions on implementation and fund administration.

Supporters urged the committee to advance the bill so districts can use community-school strategies more flexibly. The committee's do-pass recommendation sends the measure on for further House consideration and any budget or implementation work that may follow.