The New Mexico House of Representatives recently passed House Bill 199, which will increase funding for at-risk schools, and fine arts education and support pay increases for principals and assistant principals.
“I am encouraged that our legislative body could come together to pass common-sense policy to ensure that our at-risk schools and arts programs can maintain their funding at a time of radical inflation,” Rep. Brian Baca, the bill's sponsor, said in a press release. “Investments made in our schools will surely provide a strong foundation for educational outcomes at our at-risk schools and in our arts programs. Additionally, providing an increase to principal salaries will allow our schools to remain competitive in recruiting talent to educate our students.”
New Mexico ranked 17th in public school quality in 2022, then fell to the bottom five this year, according to a report by Scholaroo.
A 2021 study by WalletHub ranked New Mexico last for quality of education system due to its rural nature and high poverty levels, but the state is beginning to reverse the trend. In 2021, it ranked 31st in pupil-to-teacher ratio and 31st in public spending per student. The state is expected to rise in the rankings by 2028.
Baca was appointed to the New Mexico House of Representatives to replace former Rep. Alonzo Baldonado in 2022 and won reelection in November, according to Ballotpedia.
According to the state legislature's website, co-sponsors of his bill include Reps. Andres Romero, Joy Garratt, Tanya Mirabal Moya, and Jason Harper.