Some high school students at Santa Fe’s two public high schools unhappy over state-mandated testing put their displeasure on display Monday. Their target was the set of tests called the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, or “PARCC”—computerized exams seeking to find students’ knowledge of the new Common Core academic standards. Santa Fe Public Schools says at least 250 students walked out of Capital and Santa Fe high schools to protest the exams. At Capital High School, some students tore down a gate to leave campus Monday. And Santa Fe High students walked out of class and gathered for an indoor "town hall" style meeting with the principal. The students say taking the tests--which are expected to consume nine hours over several days beginning next month—take too much time away from the classroom. They also contend the tests are too difficult.
Albuquerque State Senator Lisa Torraco has introduced what she’s calling a “baby step” towards breaking the cycle of incarceration. Torraco’s Senate Bill 363 seeks to save taxpayers money while at the same time encouraging family bonding and supporting the needs of newborns. *****022415-Torraco-1 :21*****Torraco, a Republican, says the bill would ask the courts to consider the status of the pregnant or lactating inmate when sentencing or setting conditions of release so she might have her baby on the outside. The Senator adds that babies born to women in prison tend to be expensive, high- risk deliveries that come at a high cost to the state. Torraco says her bill should reduce this cost.
The State Senate’s Rules Committee has forwarded with a positive recommendation an anti-bullying bill spurred by the 2013 suicide of a teenager who was bullied at school. Albuquerque Senator Jacob Candelaria’s bill calls for the creation of a five-member board to oversee grant applications to eradicate bullying in New Mexico schools and colleges. It garnered bi-partisan support Monday before the Rules panel with a unanimous vote. The legislation, called the Carlos Vigil Memorial Act, would create a fund to be administered by the University Of New Mexico Board Of Regents. Candelaria, a Democrat, says bullying is an issue that "warrants a state response." 17-year old Carlos Vigil of Los Lunas committed suicide in 2013. A twitter post he’d sent about his dealing with bullying brought widespread media attention after his death.
Lawmakers are set to consider a revamped gambling compact negotiated by Governor Susana Martinez's office and a handful of American Indian tribes. The Legislature's compact committee is meeting this morning to discuss the latest version, which would allow casinos to be open around the clock and have more flexibility to offer complimentary food and lodging. The Legislature is under more pressure to act this session because the current compact for the tribes expires later this year. Governor Martinez said in a letter to lawmakers that the proposed gambling agreement is the result of three years of negotiations with the Navajo Nation, the Mescalero and Jicarilla Apache and the pueblos of Jemez and Acoma. Aside from legislative approval, the proposal would have to clear the U.S. Interior Department.
Governor Susana Martinez on Monday announced the appointment of Jennifer Attrep of Santa Fe to the First Judicial District Court. Attrep’s appointment fills the vacancy created by the non-retention of Judge Sheri Raphaelson (Rahf-Ay-El-Son). Martinez’s office says Attrep has previously served as a judge with the First Judicial District Court, and that her legal background and experience includes criminal law, civil rights, contracts, securities and other areas.
New Mexico’s Film Office has announced that "Hellbent," the story of a teenage runaway, who enlists a fugitive drifter to take her on a cross-country journey to meet the father she's never known, will begin filming soon in Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Moriarty. The production will employ at least 90 New Mexico crew members, 12 New Mexico actors and approximately 60 local background talent. Santa Fe Mayor Javier Gonzales says, quoting, "Santa Fe's partnership with Hollywood is paying dividends through high paying quality jobs for local people. I'm thrilled with this latest announcement by the New Mexico Film Office and we are ready to roll out the red carpet for the cast and crew of 'Hellbent.'"
The Albuquerque Public School District on Monday started turning away students who are not vaccinated and those who do not have a waiver excusing them. APS said they turned away about 250 Students. They say as of Friday they had identified about 500 students who had not been vaccinated, didn’t have proof of vaccination or didn’t have a valid waiver. APS officials say as of Friday they also had 393 students who did provide valid waivers.
Santa Fe Weather: Mostly cloudy today with a 50-percent chance for snow showers, the high today, 39. Tonight: Mostly cloudy with a 20-percent chance for snow showers before 11pm, the overnight low, 25. Tomorrow: Mostly sunny with the high, 42.