Committee backs bill clarifying local control over school instructional days

The House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee voted to recommend a do-pass for House Bill 65, a bill that would clarify that local school boards and charter governing bodies determine the total number of instructional days per year and the number of instructional days per week while meeting the statutory requirement of 1,140 instructional hours.

Stan Rounds, executive director of the New Mexico School Superintendents Association, told the committee the bill responds to recent rulemaking and litigation over calendar requirements: "This clarifies that the governing body of the local district, that being the school board or for a charter, their governing body are the ones who would prescribe the numbers of days meeting your law of 1140 hours." Rounds said the association represents 230,000 students and all 89 superintendents.

Supporters said the bill is intended to preserve local control after an executive-branch rule had sought to impose a 180-day, five-day school week statewide; Rounds said his group prevailed in district court and that an appeal was pending. John Dirch of the American Federation of Teachers–New Mexico also testified in support and said the union "believe[s] in local control." Vice Chair Little described how shifting calendars have helped accommodate cultural traditions and local needs.

Representative Zamora moved a do-pass recommendation on floor action; the committee recorded a do-pass recommendation and will forward the bill for further consideration. Sponsors said the measure is being carried as an emergency to ensure districts have calendar clarity before budgeting begins in April.