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

SPONSOR Griego

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

3-7-2007

HB

SHORT TITLE Study Teacher Attendance and Substitutes

SJM 19

ANALYST Dearing

ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL OPERATING BUDGET IMPACT (dollars in thousands)

FY07

FY08

FY09 3 Year

Total Cost

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

Total

$15.0

$15.0

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

SUMMARY

Synopsis Joint Memorial

Senate Joint Memorial 19 requests the Legislative Education Study Committee to conduct a

study on the current substitute teaching environment within the State, to include: salary,

qualifications, benefits, statewide frequency of their use, availability, parental notification, and

duration of duty. Senate Joint Memorial 19 would also require a study of effective methods of

increasing regular teachers’ classroom attendance in conjunction with the necessity of ongoing

professional development. Senate Joint Memorial 19 requires recommendations to improve

teacher attendance in order to improve student achievement.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

Senate Joint Memorial 19 carries no appropriation. If enacted, the legislation would create an

estimated $15 thousand budgetary impact to assign staff to conduct the study.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

• December 2006, a group was formed to examine the issue of substitutes. This group

represented geographical locations from throughout the state. The membership

representation included principals, unions and other groups impacted by this issue.

• Other identified differences are the rate of pay, amount of training and classroom

observation time required.

• 6.63.10 NMAC guides substitute teacher licensure. Recommendations that are a result of

examining substitute requirements can potentially amend 6.63.10 NMAC

Senate Joint Memorial 19 – Page

2

According to the department of Finance and Administration, during the current school year, the

PED professional licensure unit indicates that there are approximately 11,000 licensed substitute

teachers across the state. According to PED, their compensation ranges from $45/day to over

$80/day; however, there continues to be a shortage of substitutes to cover classrooms during

teacher absences.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS/ AMENDMENTS

Senate Joint Memorial does not impose a reporting requirement. The memorial could be

amended to require reporting to the Legislature, or a standing committee.

PD/mt