Committee narrowly backs constitutional amendment to reestablish appointed State Board of Education

The Senate Education Committee voted to pass Senate Joint Resolution 15, a proposal to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot to reestablish a State Board of Education with authority to appoint a State Superintendent of Schools. Sponsor Senator Michael Sowell said the measure aims to reduce policy “whiplash” by creating a stable constitutional office focused on statewide education leadership.

Sowell described a board appointed by stakeholders (legislative leaders, tribes, unions, superintendents and others) rather than directly elected, and said enabling legislation would be developed after voter approval to specify appointment mechanisms and member makeup. Stan Rounds, representing the Superintendents Association, argued an appointed board would provide an appellate governance body and continuity that saves time and legal expense when state-level disputes arise.

Public testimony included supporters such as the New Mexico School Board Association; witnesses in opposition included the Public Education Department’s assistant secretary Gregory Frosted, who said there was insufficient research that changing governance would improve student outcomes and argued the current structure facilitates collaboration among agencies (PED, HED, ECECD). Business and education groups asked for more time and study; several organizations urged the Legislature to send the question to the Legislative Education Study Committee for more deliberation.

Committee members debated the merits and risks of the change. Questions focused on whether an appointed board would actually improve student achievement, how appointments would be allocated across geography and stakeholders, how removal of the superintendent would work, and whether the change risks creating a leadership vacuum during an upcoming gubernatorial election. Sponsor Sowell and supporters said the amendment is a general framework; if voters approve, the Legislature would draft enabling law to determine composition, appointments and removal processes.

On a roll call the committee approved the resolution with six yes votes and two no votes (one senator excused). Supporters said the question should go to voters; critics said more interim study is needed before changing governance of a $5 billion system that serves roughly 300,000 students.