Exciting Developments: Legislative Education Study Committee Approves Nine New Proposals for New Mexico’s Future

On Monday, lawmakers from the Legislative Education Study Committee (LESC) backed nine proposals aimed at improving education in the state. These plans include raising teacher salaries, starting a STEM innovation network, and launching a pilot program for universal basic income.

In December, the committee approved two important bills. One of them, House Bill 63, suggests changes to the funding formula that decides how much money schools receive. The other bill aims to extend a temporary reduction in local funding matches for programs like free and reduced lunch. This will help schools continue accessing these programs while research on local funding challenges is conducted.

Lawmakers also expressed strong support for raising minimum teacher salaries to $55,000 for entry-level teachers, $65,000 for mid-level teachers, and $75,000 for experienced teachers. Additionally, they want to ensure non-certified school staff, like cafeteria workers and custodians, earn at least $30,000. If approved, these increases would start in the 2025-2026 school year.

LESC Director John Sena shared that both the governor’s office and the Legislative Finance Committee suggested a salary increase of 3% to 4%. “This means all school personnel will see a salary bump first,” he explained. “After that, anyone who doesn’t reach the new minimums will get adjusted up.”

Sen. Craig Brandt (R-Rio Rancho) proposed a three-year Career Development Success pilot program. This initiative, overseen by the Public Education Department, would offer financial incentives to school districts whose students achieve industry-recognized credentials through Career Technical Education (CTE) programs. Brandt noted that districts would have the freedom to use these funds however they see fit, promoting real-world readiness for students.

Another significant bill discussed would broaden the LESC’s focus to include not just K-12 public education but also early childhood and higher education. LESC Vice Chairman Sen. Bill Soules (D-Las Cruces) emphasized that the current narrow focus complicates legislative sessions, as many relevant issues go unstudied during interim periods. He pointed out that aside from the Legislative Finance Committee, there’s no designated body for higher education and early childhood education topics outside of the regular sessions.

A similar bill has been presented multiple times in recent years but has not passed or was vetoed in previous sessions.