Charter Schools in New Mexico

Law:   Passed in 1993

Rank:   20th strongest of the nation's 40 charter laws

CER Grade:   B

Schools:   28

Students:   4,234

BLOCK & TACKLE: A new charter school in New Mexico is running into numerous roadblocks at what appears to the behest of the local superintendent and the Carlsbad Municipal School District. The Jefferson Montessori Academy, a K-9 school expected to open this fall, has faced obstacles ranging from being frozen out of participating in the school board's public meetings, to being charged $1 per page for copies of public records or policies, while other public schools are charged at cost. On a more critical issue, the school has had its budget vote postponed, then denied (twice) by the local district and now remains pending at the state level where the school has been told it will have to make a few more "changes." Apparently the necessity of a budget for hiring teachers, ordering supplies and confirming enrollment has escaped the reviewers. This situation illustrates why charter schools need real fiscal autonomy where they actually have complete control over their own budgets. From CER Newswire July 16, 2002.

BLUE RIBBON: Taylor Middle School in Albuquerque was the only National Blue Ribbon School selected in the state for the 1995-1996 school year. The school converted to charter school status in the fall of 1994 and reverted back to district status in the fall of 1999. Charter Schools Today: A Sampling of Their Successes

New Mexico League of Charter Schools 2259 Camino Iris Santa Fe, NM 87505	Contact: Tony Gerlicz Telephone: (505) 995-8950 Fax: (505) 984-2727 Email: tonygerlic@aol.com
New Mexico Charter School Resource Center 8300 Phoenix Venue NE Albuquerque, NM 87110	Contact: Robin Troup, Director Telephone: (505) 291-8149 Email: vtroup@nmia.com