This bill aims to restructure the governance of charter schools in New Mexico by transferring the Charter Schools Division from the Public Education Department to the newly established State Charter Schools Office under the Public Education Commission. Key amendments include the deletion of the Charter Schools Division from the Public Education Department's structure and the creation of the State Charter Schools Office, which will provide staff support to the commission and oversee state-chartered charter schools. The commission will now have the authority to appoint a director for this office, which will be responsible for monitoring compliance with the Public School Code and providing nonpartisan advice regarding chartering.

Additionally, the bill outlines the duties of the Public Education Commission, which will now include overseeing the State Charter Schools Office, acting as the chartering authority for state-chartered schools, and collaborating with the Public Education Department for data-sharing agreements. The commission is also tasked with developing a five-year strategic plan for public education and soliciting input from various stakeholders. The bill specifies that all personnel, records, and resources from the former Charter Schools Division will be transferred to the new office, ensuring a seamless transition in governance and oversight of charter schools in the state. The provisions of this act are set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 9-24-4, 9-24-9, 22-2-2.2, 22-8B-2, 22-8B-13, 22-8B-17, 22-8B-17.1