House panel OKs public school budget bill

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — State spending on public schools would be cut by more than 1 percent next year under a budget proposal approved by a House committee Monday.

The House Education Committee recommended spending nearly $2.4 billion on schools, the Public Education Department and education programs such as pre-kindergarten in the fiscal year that starts in July. That's about $30 million, or 1.2 percent, less than this year's spending on public education.

Committee chairman Rep. Rick Miera, D-Albuquerque, said the panel tried to protect school funding as much as possible.

But he said, "Times are tough. We are going to be cutting."

The panel's spending recommendations could force schools to eliminate one professional development day for teachers and other employees.

About $5 million of the proposed cuts are expected to come from administrative cost-savings. However, Republican Gov. Susana Martinez has proposed trimming school administrative costs by $30 million next year. The department's budget would be trimmed by $3 million, or about 21 percent, which was recommended by the governor.

The committee's bill isn't the final word on school finance and more cuts are likely for schools before the Legislature finishes work on a state budget for next year.

If you subscribe to the newspaper, you receive FREE access to all the exclusive content of the web site! Simply register to receive uninterrupted access to our award-winning and in-depth local online content!

Renew Current or Past Subscription / Register for Online Subscription

If you currently subscribe or have subscribed in the past to the Los Alamos Monitor, then simply find your account number on your mailing label and enter it below.

Click the question mark below to see where your account ID appears on your mailing label.

Newspaper Acct. ID:
Street Address:	(exactly as it appears on the label)

If you are a subscriber and you do not know your account ID or don't have a copy of your newspaper available that shows the information on the address label you can click continue below to search for your account.

New Subscription/30 Day Free Trial Account

If you are new to the award winning Los Alamos Monitor and wish to get a subscription or simply gain access to our online content then please enter your ZIP code below and continue to setup your account.

ZIP Code:

Create a limited access account.
Register to participate in community forums, post on the community calendar, blog etc. This registration does not give you full access to read our award winning content, etc.

The Los Alamos Monitor | lacirculation@lamonitor.com | 505-662-4185
256 DP Road, Los Alamos, NM 87544
Office Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday