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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T





SPONSOR: Carraro DATE TYPED: 01-29-00 HB
SHORT TITLE: Abolish State Board of Education SB SJR 14
ANALYST: Baca


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
 Recurring

or Non-Rec

 Fund

Affected

FY00 FY01 FY00 FY01
NFI



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



Duplicates/Conflicts with/Companion to/Relates to



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



LFC files



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



Senate Joint Resolution 14 amends Article 12, Section 6 of the New Mexico Constitution to abolish the State Board of Education and create a department within the executive branch headed by a secretary appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate.



Significant Issues



The 15-member State Board of Education would be abolished. How policies governing public schools would be developed is not addressed in the bill and will be determined by the "new" secretary pursuant to authority and powers provided by law.



Pursuant to an amendment adopted in 1958, the SBE became an elected body of nine members elected from each of the state's nine judicial districts. In accordance with the provisions of an amendment adopted by the voters in 1986, the nine elected members were joined by five members appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate. These education policy-makers are perceived to represent their respective areas, and, as such, to represent public participation in the education policy making process. Abolishing the SBE raises the question:



FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



If no advisory or policy-making entity exists, expenses currently incurred to support operations

of the SBE would no longer be necessary - small but potential savings to the general fund..



ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS



See Fiscal Implications above.



LB/gm