Judge halts 180-day school mandate

ROSWELL -- A district court judge on Monday granted an injunction prohibiting the state Public Education Department from implementing its 180-day school calendar.

Judge Dustin K. Hunter of Roswell stated in his ruling that the injunction will remain in effect “pending final determination of the merits of this cause.”

About 50 school districts, including most in eastern New Mexico, joined the lawsuit challenging the change. They have argued the mandate would result in budget shortfalls, essentially eliminate four-day school weeks that have been observed in the state’s smallest districts for decades, and limit control by local school boards.

Teacher unions and many lawmakers joined the districts in opposing the 180-day rule.

“Today (Monday) marked a huge win for school districts,” said Corey Stevens, communications director for the New Mexico House Republicans.

“The judge acknowledged legislative intent was extremely clear, and PED overstepped its authority by implementing the mandatory minimum instructional days for all school districts statewide.”

The rule was scheduled to be implemented July 1. It wasn’t immediately clear if PED has given up on the 180-day rule for the 2024-2025 school year. Judge Hunter’s ruling noted “This matter will be set for an expedited briefing schedule.”

Michael Coleman, communications director for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, said PED is “exploring our legal options as we continue to fight this lawsuit and do everything we can to improve the public education system in New Mexico.”

“We believe the public education department has the rule-making authority to set guidelines for school calendars in the best interest of students,” he said in a statement.

“Evidence shows more days in the classroom, not just more hours, improves student performance and ensures that New Mexico children receive the classroom time they need to succeed.”

Current PED standards require schools set a minimum 1,140 hours of classroom instruction time.

Clovis has been operating on a 175-day calendar that Superintendent Renee Russ said “generates more total instructional hours” than the state’s 180-day mandate would require.

Plaintiffs attorneys Andrew Curtis and Matt Chandler issued a joint statement saying they are “very encouraged” and that the court’s ruling “indicates there is a substantial likelihood that the plaintiffs will prevail.”

“This ruling recognizes the significant concerns that we raised about the unconstitutional overreach from the PED and the potential negative impacts of imposing a uniform school calendar across New Mexico,” their statement reads.