Federation Lobbying Brings Legislative Successes

6% for teachers Starts in December;  $30,000 Minimum Pay for Teachers Starts in December

3% for Classified Employees starts July 1, 2003

New Mexico Federation of Education Employees
Phone: 1-800-224-3270
www.nmfee.org

$30,000 Teacher Starting Salary
  • A legislative session that started with Governor Richardson proposing raises only for classroom teachers; ended with raises for all employees, a $30,000 minimum salary for teachers and a minimum 6% raise for teachers and other professional instructional staff.

  • The $30,000 minimum salary is the first phase of implementation of a three-tired licensure structure for teachers which will phase in a $50,000 minimum salary for teachers who obtain a Tier 3 license.

Classified Get 3% Raises

  • Classified school employees were not slated to get any raises under the Governor’s proposal.

  • Led by Christine Trujillo, Federation State President and State Vice-President Kathy Chavez, the Federation persuaded legislators and the Governor to guarantee 3% raises for all classified employees.

Help for Insurance Increases 

  • Increases in health insurance premiums have hurt school employees the last few years.  This year the legislature appropriated more money and Districts will pay a greater share of the premiums.

Full Day Kindergarten 

  • Appropriates $11 million which will pay for the fourth year of a five-year phase-in of full day kindergarten.

Vote for $77 Million – Sept. 23

  • Voters will go to the polls on Tuesday, September 23, 2003, to vote on a proposed Constitutional Amendment that will add $77 million for schools.

  • The money will come from investing more of the interest earned by the permanent school fund.

  • The Federation will launch a massive effort to educate the public and get school employees to get out to vote.

Landmark Education Reforms

The legislature passed major education reform measures this session.  HB 212 as amended.  They include:

  • Development of a professional three-tiered licensure structure.  It requires demonstrated teacher competency in order to move to the next tier and higher minimum salary.

  • Moves personnel responsibilities   to the District Superintendent.

  • Requires measurement of adequate yearly progress for all students.

  • Enacts Assessment and Accountability Act which complies with the Federal No Child Left Behind Act of 200.