[Volcano_Vista_HS] State Senator Proposes Westside split of APS

Moderator's Note: Two west side lawmakers are sponsoring bills dealing with splitting school districts.

These bills affect anyone's ability to create a new district in New Mexico, not just in Albuquerque. Las Cruces is the second largest district & will have the same issues as to how big is too big. People in the east mountains have expressed interest for years in having their own district. Again, merits, costs, boundaries would all be thoroughly analyzed and discussed at the hearing. Also keep in mind that it takes 2 years to create any new district. This is about self determination and transformation of failing educational systems.

According to an ABQ Journal article, Competing School Bills Introduced (February 14, 2011), it was APS that requested Ms. Lopez bring forward her version of a school bill (not Albuquerque parents).

Bernadette Sanchez's, bill, on the other hand, would lower the number of citizens needed to sign a petition which would in turn get a HEARING that would address splitting a school district. To be clear, this bill does not make it easier for a small number of people to go out and split a district...it just makes it easier to get a hearing to address such possible splits.

No matter where you fall on the issue of whether to split or not split, Ms. Sanchez's bill appears to be more favorable for the citizens of New Mexico, while Ms. Lopez's bill seems to give more power to the large school districts to remain status quo.

Some of Ms. Lopez's own constituents have written a petition against her bill and are in favor of Ms. Sanchez's bill (see it at the end of this email). APS obviously favors Ms. Lopez; their opinion on the bills can be found on their web site (web link below).

This is very important for educational reform in our state! Please do not wait around for some other parent to respond to these senators about this issue!

It could be as easy as copying the info found in that petition at the end of this email and forwarding it to the following NM Senators. If you are in favor of Ms. Lopez's bill, you can copy info from the APS web page that gives their opinion on the issue and forward it on.

Here are some email addresses to write to immediately:

• senb26@yahoo.com (Bernadette Sanchez)
• linda.lopez@nmlegis.gov (Linda Lopez)
• sanderrue@comcast.net (Sander Rue is a west side rep)

Info about a proposed split of APS can be found at:
http://abqpass.org (web site from west siders in favor of a split; the site has valuable information about splitting our district but does need updating with latest developments)

APS's Legislative Agenda can be found at:
http://www.aps.edu/about-us/legislative-affairs/legislative-agenda

Story from KOB News

The latest move to split the Albuquerque Public School district in half arrives at the state senate in the form of a proposed bill - the first of its kind.

As it stands, 60 percent of Westside voters must sign a petition to obtain a hearing to split APS into two districts.

“There are 68,385 registered voters on the Westside...that would mean 40,800 petition signaturesâ€"that’s impossible,” said Senator Bernadette Sanchez, a Democrat who represents part of Albuquerque’s Westside in District 26.

State Senator Bernadette Sanchez’s bill (SB 219) proposes dropping that number to 10 percent meaning the petition would only need around 6,800 signatures.

“It’s an avenue for parents and community members to have an opportunity for this issue to be talked about, for them to get information, to get the secretary to even consider it,” said Sanchez.

Sanchez says she’s met opposition from State Senator Linda Lopez (D) District 11, who also represents the Westside. Lopez has introduced a bill (SB 351) that would require 60 percent of all registered voters in the entire district to sign a petition.

Sanchez says that would make the process even more impossible.

“The reason I’m opposed is because it really closes the door to parents and community members,” said Sanchez.

She says it’s time to take out the road blocks which have hampered the idea many times in the past. “It doesn’t mean that the secretary is going to create it, it just means you get a public meeting on one,” said Sanchez.

For the video, go to: http://www.kob.com/article/stories/s1971589.shtml

Here's a petition that some parents from Linda Lopez's area have put together:

School District Choice

Petition

(SB219 and SB351)

This petition addresses two pending education bills that will impact the right for parents across the state of New Mexico to actively be engaged in their child’s education by providing them the attainable option to create new school districts.

Support - SB 219

I support Senator Bernadette Sanchez’ Bill SB 219 which allows folks in communities across the state; a carefully crafted and attainable option to create new school districts as the need may arise in the future. I respectfully, urge the Senate Education Committee to support the pro-parent Bill SB 219.

Oppose - SB 351

Conversely, I oppose Senator Linda Lopez’ bill SB 351 because it limits parental and community choice and negates the opportunity to create new school districts. Parents must have a legitimate voice and opportunity to not simply change schools but transform ineffective and failing school districts as needed.  I am dismayed that Senator Lopez would choose to limit the access and the opportunity for parents in every New Mexico community to exercise their right to achieve a better education for their child. We respectfully urge the Senate Education Committee not to support the anti-parent bill SB 351.

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For more information, go to our web site: http://www.volcanovistahawks.com

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