Proposed rule regarding instructional time subverts the will of the Legislature, local school districts

SANTA FE—Today, Republican legislators from the Senate and House of Representatives issued a joint letter to the Public Education Department (PED) and Secretary Arsenio Romero urging the rejection of a proposed rule regarding instructional time. The rule proposes a mandated 5-day school week and 180 days of instructional time for public schools—a deviation from the expanded learning hours recently approved by the Legislature. The letter was signed by Eunice School Board Member Senator David Gallegos (R-Eunice); Senate Republican Leader, Senator Greg Baca (R-Belen); former Rio Rancho School Board Member, Senator Craig Brandt (R-Rio Rancho); Senator Pat Woods (R-Broadview); High School Teacher, Representative Tanya Mirabal Moya (R-Belen); and School Administrator, Representative Brian Baca (R-Los Lunas). 

Senator Gallegos released the following statement regarding the proposed rule change:

“This rule change is a direct challenge to local school districts and their ability to act in the best interest of their students. The legislature was clear when we wrote the law and the hourly unit we chose to define instructional time was intentional. An executive agency like PED should not be able subvert the will of the Legislature and local school districts through rule changes that strip more local control. I urge PED to reject this rule, and if they do not, I call on the Legislature to immediately address this overreach when we convene in January.”

The letter, attached below, was also submitted as public comment to the Public Education Department. For anyone who wishes to submit a comment on this matter, please send an email to Rule.Feedback@ped.nm.gov  by 5:00 p.m. on December 18.