New Mexico bill seeks school board transparency, training

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — College board members throughout New Mexico could be required to reveal marketing campaign contributions below a measure that cleared its first legislative hurdle on Saturday.

Presently solely college board members representing districts which have greater than 12,000 college students are required to report donations, a threshold met by solely 4 of the state’s 89 districts.

“Within the curiosity of transparency and equity, communities, people, New Mexicans in small cities need to know what marketing campaign contributions have been acquired by the candidates simply as a lot as individuals in massive cities do,” stated Rep. Natalie Figueroa of Albuquerque. “So we’re putting that exemption and saying, ‘Everyone, simply all people declare your marketing campaign contributions.’”

The measure additionally would codify coaching necessities for board members and permit members to use for a waiver to keep away from state statutes prohibiting the hiring of members of the family. Supporters say it’s typically troublesome for varsity districts in small communities to recruit individuals, and a waiver choice may assist.

Opponents say some mandates outlined within the invoice could be burdensome, significantly the reporting of marketing campaign contributions. They are saying candidates typically use their very own cash to run and by no means obtain exterior donations.

Dymorie Maker, a member of the Lovington College Board and president of the New Mexico College Boards Affiliation, stated virtually 60% of state college boards are in tiny communities.

“I grew up in a small neighborhood,” she instructed the lawmakers. “If you wish to know who, what, the place, when and the way a lot, go to the submit workplace, go to the espresso store — it’s there. It is a punitive measure in these small communities.”

The laws’s aim is to spice up the standard of native college boards with enhanced coaching, accountability and transparency via reporting. It was developed by the nonpartisan group Suppose New Mexico, which beneficial such reforms as a part of a roadmap launched final 12 months amid persistent poor scholar efficiency.

Many districts already assist coaching alternatives for board members in the case of the authorized facets of their duties. However supporters stated the laws would go one step additional by codifying coaching necessities and guaranteeing that members are up to the mark on financing, budgeting and fiduciary obligations.

In addition they pointed to the significance of board members being educated about how they’ll consider the educational achievement of scholars and use knowledge to set objectives for every college.

Fred Nathan, govt director of Suppose New Mexico, stated the position of a faculty board in figuring out the standard of public faculties is commonly missed.

“College boards approve the district’s finances, rent the superintendent and finally set the tone, tradition and expectations for superintendents and faculties,” he stated.

The measure additionally would require that board conferences be webcast and the recordings archived for public entry.

The Legislature has reached the midpoint of its 60-day session, and the invoice must clear another committee earlier than being taken up by the total Home.