Logan school leader opposes mandate for longer school year

SANTA FE — Even before schools reopen, New Mexico lawmakers are mapping out how to help students catch up next year after a lack of in-person learning over the past 10 months.

One possibility began moving through the Capitol on Wednesday — a $139 million plan requiring schools to extend the next academic year by either 10 or 25 days, depending on which program they opt into and the age of the students.

Teachers would be paid for the extra work, and districts would decide when to add the days.

The proposal immediately drew opposition from at least one local school official.

"The mandate runs afoul of our guiding principle — our platform that calls for local decision-making," said Dennis Roch, superintendent of Logan schools and president of the state superintendents association.

He is a former state representative, a Republican who served for 10 years, through 2018.

Sen. Gay Kernan, R-Hobbs, supported the bill Wednesday but said she wants to address some questions before final passage. She feared the proposal would have the effect of penalizing districts that return to in-person learning, and some districts, she said, may already have enacted longer school years.

Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, said it's critical to give students more instructional time — a strategy with a proven record, she said, of boosting academic achievement.

"This bill is designed to be as flexible as possible," Stewart told a committee hearing Wednesday, but "we have to deal with learning loss."

Her proposal, Senate Bill 40, divided school districts and boards — some of whom said the state should let local educators decide whether to extend the school year. At least one teachers union also raised concern about the legislation.

"We just continually mandate everything from Santa Fe," said Senate Minority Whip Craig Brandt, R-Rio Rancho. "We just continue to take away local control."

The proposal, he said, might lead to teachers leaving the state.

Senate Bill 40, nonetheless, picked up bipartisan support and advanced past the Senate Education Committee on a 7-1 vote. It heads next to the Senate Finance Committee.

The legislation would require public schools, including charter schools, to provide either the K-5 Plus program — which calls for elementary schools to add 25 days to the school year — or participate in extended learning time programs, which add 10 days and require after-school programming and 80 hours of professional development for teachers.

"We think those two programs are evidence-based — have really proven themselves," Stewart said.

Elementary schools could choose either option. Other schools would have to participate in extended learning time.

There's one exception: The requirement wouldn't apply if in-person learning is prohibited either because of a statewide executive order or a local resolution.

"This bill really looks at students and getting them back in person and getting them more instruction," Stewart said.

Paying for the extra time would come out of a school reform fund. Teachers' take-home pay increases about 14% when they participate in K-5 Plus and about 6% for extended learning time programs, according to state estimates.