Teacher pay boost part of N.M. Legislature's 11 percent increase in spending proposal

SANTA FE - Leading New Mexico lawmakers on Monday proposed a 5.5 percent increase in spending on teacher pay with minimum salary raises of as much as 13 percent as they grapple with a court order to increase resources to improve learning opportunities for students from minority and law income households.

Unveiled on the eve of a 60-day legislative session, the budget proposal from the Legislative Finance Committee would increase overall, annual state general fund spending by 11 percent, or $673 million, to $7 billion for the fiscal year starting July 1.

More than 60 percent of the increase in general fund spending — $417 million — would go toward public education. New Mexico’s school districts and charter schools rely primarily on state funds for operations and facilities.

That proposed increase includes major investments in preschool, spending directed at at-risk students and a five-week extension to the school year for many elementary schools.

Read more: https://www.currentargus.com/story/news/local/new-mexico/legislature/2019/01/14/nm-public-school-system-teacher-pay-legislature-finance-committee/2575775002/