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Board discusses NMSBA resolutions on special education funding, federally funded positions and transportation; action deferred
Summary
The board reviewed three proposed legislative resolutions for the New Mexico School Boards Association—special education funding formula, federally funded positions and full transportation funding—and agreed to refine language and return on Sept. 2 for potential submission; no adoption occurred Aug. 19.
Las Cruces Public Schools Board members and staff discussed three proposed resolutions for the New Mexico School Boards Association (NMSBA) legislative packet on Aug. 19 but took no final vote, directing staff and board champions to refine the language and bring the items back at a Sept. 2 work session.
Shirley O'Brien and board member Tonorio presented draft resolutions that would ask the NMSBA to advocate (1) revisions and increased funding to the special education funding formula, (2) solutions for a gap in federally funded positions that leaves district services vulnerable as federal allocations decline, and (3) full funding for daily and activity transportation, including activity buses used for tutoring, sports and clubs.
Board members discussed wording that would make the resolutions more appealing to other districts and to NMSBA’s statewide committee. Member Tenorio suggested universal/statewide language rather than district-specific phrasing and asked whether it was possible to include dollar figures or multipliers; budget staff and Chief Financial Officer Josh Montoya cautioned that specific dollar asks can complicate adoption because districts’ needs vary. Montoya recommended adding precise facts where possible, such as the last federal IDEA funding baseline year and the degree to which IDEA funding has lagged.
Secretary Wofford asked whether the special education resolution duplicated prior requests; staff and Montoya said the proposed formula-language was different and that discussions could include reference to underfunding trends since 2004 and the mismatch of multipliers to student needs. For the federally funded positions resolution, Doctor Lozano noted prior COVID-era requests and said the current ask focuses on the structural gap created as federal funding circulates to pay raises and benefits.
Transportation director Luis Rodriguez outlined the transportation resolution requests, saying the district currently spends millions on transportation and is requesting full state funding to include after-school activity buses to remove barriers to participation.
No resolutions were adopted during the Aug. 19 meeting; board members agreed to revise language to emphasize statewide relevance and to add quantifying material where appropriate. The board plans to finalize and vote on any resolutions at the Sept. 2 work session so the district can meet the NMSBA internal deadlines ahead of the 2026 legislative session.
