Message from the Executive Director
This February, we reflect with gratitude on the work we have across our organization. To be a Region 9 employee, requires passion, persistence, and stamina. Take time to reflect on being Region 9 proud!
Region 9 continues to be the REC in NM that provides leadership not only in our member districts but also across the state. Our new vision statement says it well, “Region 9 - Your innovative Regional Education Cooperative providing exceptional services to children, families, and communities across New Mexico.”
The NM Legislature is in full swing under the leadership of a new governor. Here are a few of the bills we are watching with interest due to the potential impact they would have on services and funding for Region 9. If you have questions about any of these, or have others you would like to know more about please let me know.
- House Bill (HB) 71 - School Based Health Clinics: Funding includes an LFC recommendation of $1.5 million to the Public Education Department for SBHCs.
- (HP 111) - Cultural and Linguistic Education Support: This bill would create a new section of the Regional Cooperative Education Act that would allow Regional Education Cooperatives (RECs) the opportunity to provide culturally and linguistically responsive technical assistance, and professional development for teachers, educational assistants, and other instructional support staff. RECs would submit one joint application to the Public Education Department (PED) for funding.
- (HB 431) Termination of School Employees: This bill would provide RECs with the same level of personnel authority as Local Education Agencies.
- Senate Bill (SB) 247: This bill establishes a new section of the Public School Code, the “Teacher Evaluation Act” that provides the framework for a new teacher evaluation system, and directs the Public Education Department (PED) to consult with school districts, charter schools, school personnel, other stakeholders, and the LESC to promulgate rules to carry out the provisions of the teacher evaluation system.
- (SB 254) General Appropriation Act of 2019: This bill keeps the annual legislative allocation from RECs flat, meaning if passed we would receive the same $100,000 as in prior year.
- (SB 47) Increase School Personnel Salaries: This bill would amend the School Personnel Act to increase minimum salaries over three years to $45 thousand for level 1 teachers, $55 thousand for level 2 teachers, and $65 thousand for level 3-A teachers and counselors. The bill would also index minimum salaries for principals and assistant principals to the minimum salary for a level 3-A teacher.
