Students frustrated over a new standardized test are planning school walkouts across New Mexico today to protest the required exam. Students in Santa Fe began protesting the PARCC or Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers exams last week and now their colleagues from Las Cruces to Albuquerque, are calling for walkouts today through social media as districts try to work on preventing the protests. The backlash comes as millions of students across the country start taking the new, more rigorous exams aligned with Common Core standards. Albuquerque community organizer Moises Venegas, a retired educator, says the planned protests remind him of the school walkouts of the 1960s by Mexican Americans and black students contesting the Vietnam War and poor school conditions.
Citing an outpouring of community support, Santa Fe Public Schools Superintendent Joel Boyd has announced that he has withdrawn his candidacy the top job in the Fort Worth, Texas schools and will stay in Santa Fe at least through the summer of 2017, when his contract expires. The Texas district had planned to offer Boyd the job there, but under Texas state law had to wait three weeks before tendering an offer. The situation had led Santa Fe School District officials to discuss various scenarios to keep him or name a successor. Boyd was hired in 2012. Fort Worth school officials say they regret Boyd’s decision.
A proposal to ban trapping and poisoning on public lands has died in the House Agriculture, Water and Wildlife Committee. House Bill 426, sponsored by Taos Democrat Bobby Gonzales, drew supporters who testified that traps are dangerous to people, pets and wildlife. One was OksanaForet. *****030215-Foret-1 :30***** Opponents said the legislation wouldn’t solve the problem of illegal trapping that may have caused such incidents, and that trapping was important to predator control. Robert Griego testified from the perspective of the New Mexico Conservation Officers’ Association. *****030215-Griego-1 :21***** The Committee voted 8-2 to table the bill, and did the same with a bill that would ban coyote-killing contests across the state.
The New Mexico legislative Committee on Compacts is supporting a proposed new gambling compact between the state and Native American tribes. The compacts panel voted 15-1 in favor of the proposal Saturday after hearing several hours of public testimony. The revamped gambling compact would let tribal casinos stay open around the clock and offer complimentary food and lodging. The committee also voted against six amendments. The proposed agreement now heads to the Senate for consideration. Lawmakers are facing a March 21st deadline as agreements that allow a handful of tribes to operate casinos approach their expiration date.
A bill aimed at encouraging whistleblowers to foil fraud in New Mexico cities, counties and public schools—including charters—is moving on to the State House. Senate Minority Whip William Payne is sponsor of the bill that expands the Fraud Against Taxpayers Act. *****030215-Payne-1 :24***** Payne says the existing act applies only to state agencies. His Senate Bill 208 passed the Senate 42-to-zero on Friday.
A public sculpture outside the State Land Office in Santa Fe is relocating at the request of a New Mexico land commissioner. Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn tells the Albuquerque Journal that the large brick head on display outside the State Land Office on Old Santa Fe Trail is unattractive and he doesn't like it. The sculpture, which is called "Brickface Hope" and has the word "hope" etched in several places, was created by artist James Tyler. "Brickface" is part of New Mexico's permanent collection and has been on a five-year loan to the Land Office since 2011. New Mexico Arts officials say the city of Santa Fe will take the sculpture. But no location has been found yet. Dunn says he will replace the piece with an oil field pump jack.
Santa Fe Weather: Cloudy today with showers likely and the high, 48. Tonight: Mostly cloudy and breezy with rain likely before 11pm and then snow overnight, with the chance of precipitation at 70-percent. Tomorrow: mostly cloudy with the high 42 and a 30-percent chance for showers.