House panel backs bill letting local boards set charter school instructional days

House lawmakers on the House Education Committee voted unanimously to send House Bill 65 out of committee after witnesses and members argued the measure would clarify local authority over school calendars.

House Bill 65, sponsored by Representative Armstrong, would explicitly state that local school boards and governing bodies of charter schools determine the total number of instructional days per year and the number of instructional days per week that students must attend, provided districts meet the 1,140-hour statutory requirement currently in state law. The sponsor said the bill reflects a district court ruling while clarifying the statutory test for local calendars.

Supporters called the bill a protection of local control for diverse communities. Stan Rounds, executive director of the School Superintendents Association, told the committee the bill aligns with a district court decision and would reduce uncertainty while the case remains subject to appeal. John Durch of AFT New Mexico, Matt Paul of Public Charter Schools of New Mexico, Lily May Ortiz of the New Mexico School Boards Association and representatives of rural districts said a single, statewide five-day requirement would harm many rural communities that now operate four-day weeks.

Colton Grau, president of the Grady School Board, said his rural district operates a four-day week and reported a 98% attendance rate for the 2023–24 school year, attributing those results to schedule flexibility. Bronson Korn of the New Mexico Cattle Growers described long bus rides and local budget reliance on existing calendars.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about the bill's interaction with the 1,140-hour statutory standard and with the court case. Stan Rounds and Representative Armstrong said the bill codifies the court's interpretation that meeting 1,140 hours allows local prerogative on how those hours are scheduled. Several members described work-based learning, Career and Technical Education and agricultural apprenticeships that occur on days when some districts are not in session.

Representative Buck moved a due-pass motion on the bill; Representative Cohen seconded. The committee adopted the motion by roll-call (unanimous). The bill advanced from committee to the next stage of the legislative process.

The committee record shows broad bipartisan support in committee but includes questions about potential appellate review and the statute-to-court relationship; no panel member identified any change to the 1,140-hour requirement itself.