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NEA-NEW MEXICO Great Public Schools Begin with US!
Making Students a Priority
Promoting Professional Excellence
Improving the Well-Being of School Employees
and
Annual Delegate Council, Virtual Saturday, November 6, 2021
This 136th NEA-NM Delegate Council is dedicated to
WILHELMINA YAZZIE
2021 NEA Human & Civil Rights Award Winner: Wilma Mankiller
Memorial Award Nominated by NEA-New Mexico on December 4, 2020
(For full information, please see Table of Contents)
NEA-NM DELEGATE HANDBOOK 2021 Virtual Delegate Council
Table of Contents
PAGE Letter from the State President ………………………………………………………………………………………… 1
Governance Team …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 2
Agenda & Order of Business …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3-4
Temporary Rules of Order ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 5
2020 Annual Delegate Council Minutes …………………………………………………………………………….. 6-17
NEA-NM Employee Milestone Recognitions ……………………………………………………………………... 18
At-Large Elections to the NEA-New Mexico Board of Directors …………………………………………. 19
Educational Retirement Board (ERB) Report ……………………………………………………………………… 20a-20b
NM Public School Insurance Authority (NMPSIA) Report …………………………………………………… 21
NM Retiree Health Care Update ………………………………………………………………………………………… 22
2022 NEA-NM Legislative Platform ……………………………………………………………………………………. 23-29
NEA-NM 3-1 (g) Plan for 2020-2021 ………………………………………………………………………………….. 30-32
NEA-NM 2022 Strategic Plan & Strategic Budget ……………………………………………………………….. 33-47
NEA-NM Constitutions & Bylaws, Standing Rules & Proposed Amendments ……………………… 48-80
NEA-NM Resolutions and Proposed Amendments …………………………………………………………….. 81-109
Wilhelmina Yazzie Dedication …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 110-116
Dear Council Delegate:
Congratulations on your election as a delegate to the NEA-NM Virtual Delegate Council, our highest representative governing body. The National Education Association is the largest network of education professionals in the country. The National Education Association of New Mexico has for 136 years sought to promote and advance the education profession, protect the rights and interests of our members, and secure an adequately funded and equitable public education system for all students. Educators, as always want a voice, and we want decision makers to hear our stories and know that we matter, and the future of the country lies in our hands: for these reasons the theme of this year’s council is “Disrupt and Create”
We continue to deal with the very real COVID-19 pandemic that is challenging us as a nation. We continue to battle the inequities and health challenges that our students and educators face. NEA-NM has been working around the clock to protect the health and well-being of our members, students, and families. You make a difference every day in the lives of our children, and your dedication and commitment to children and families is inspiring. Hearing stories of your service, creativity, and action on behalf of children and families is what keeps us focused on the work that needs to be done to support you. It will take every one of us to Disrupt and Create to make the changes that must be made to educate the citizenry of the future. Disrupt the practices that interfere with our mission to create opportunities for students to learn and thrive.
Since our country’s inception, we have fought for the right to assemble, and raise our voice. We must rededicate ourselves to teaching science and the social studies, which teach students how to interact in a very complex world. We must teach students how to be good consumers of information and to tell the difference between fact and fiction. We must work to protect ourselves and our planet from the misinformation that permeates our country and divides us. We must teach each other and our students to observe and to listen and to Disrupt and Create in our own collective best interests.
Our 2021 Annual Delegate Council will be held virtually, and delegate check-in is from 8:00-8:50 am and Council will begin promptly at 9:00 am. We will hear the latest from the programs and members who provide oversight on the Education Retirement Board (ERB), the New Mexico Public Schools Insurance Authority (NMPSIA), Retiree Health Care (RHCA) and others. These are programs and benefits created for member by members and education partners.
We will also hear about our 2021 NEA-NM Legislative Platform. Our Education Political Action Committee (EDPAC) and NEA-NM Board of Directors are recommending your approval of this platform and 2022 Legislative targets, which we will all need to act upon. We have made many changes to the platform, which evolves as we gather information from you, our members. We must all prepare to take bold action by disrupting bureaucratic mandates that don’t make sense and creating actions that do.
Be sure to have access to all the electronic delegate materials Elizabeth will send you prior to Council. Due to the virtual nature of this council, the NEA-NM Board of Directors has stepped in to provide a process that respects the tradition of previous council business, but that is not possible to conduct in a virtual setting. Please review the enclosed materials prior to the Delegate Council on Nov. 6th. You will be asked to approve the NEA-NM operating budget, so take some time to review those documents.
We are uplifted that you have made the decision to continue advocating for safety, equity, and excellence in our public schools.
Sincerely,
Mary Parr-Sanchez President
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NEA-NM GOVERNANCE TEAM
LEADERSHIP
Mary Parr-Sanchez, President
Bethany Jarrell, Vice President
Denise Sheehan, NEA Director
Melanie Hallbeck, Alternate NEA Director
Earl Wiman, Executive Director
Dave Greenberg , Executive Director of
Community Schools
Edith Brycelea, Deputy Executive Director of Operations
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mary Parr-Sanchez, President
Bethany Jarrell, Vice President
Denise Sheehan, NEA Director
Melanie Hallbeck, Alternate NEA Director
Grace Mayer, NE-NC
Kate MacDermott, NE-NC
Carolyn Serafin-Abeyta, Central
Jennifer Trujillo, Central
Tammie Yazzie, NW
Denise Dawson, SE
Bess Rusk, SE
Irma Valdespino, SW
Mary Daniel-Montoya, SW
Diana Jackson, SW
Delphina Ponce, ESP At-Large
Eloy Gonzales, Retired At-Large
Eduardo Holguin, Retired At-Large
CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS COMMITTEE
Melanie Hallbeck, Chair, SW
Sue Holland, NE-NC
Stephen Reynolds, SE
Kyla Johnson, NW
Jennifer Trujillo, Central
Ex-Officio:
Mary Parr-Sanchez, President
Bethany Jarrell, Vice President
Staff: Greg Maxie
Earl Wiman, Executive Director
Edith Brycelea, Deputy Executive Director of Operations
EDPAC (Education Political Action Committee)
Mary Parr-Sanchez, President
Bethany Jarrell, Vice President Kate MacDermott, NE-NC
Jonathan Martinez, NE-NC
Rebecca Gale, Central
Sandra Goldberg, Central
Shannon Facka, NW
(Education Political Action Committee Cont’d)
Kat Bustillos, SW
Thomas Esparza, SW
Yazmin Izquierdo, SE
Denise Dawson, SE
Rosalinda Carreon-Altamirano, Retired
Mary Lou Cameron, Retired Staff:
Steve Sianez, GR Director
Earl Wiman, Executive Director
RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE
Natalia Martinez, Chair, SW
Kim Avila, NE-NC
Maryann Chavez, Central
Diana Jackson, SW
Danielle Jim, NW
Tamaran Garriott, SE
Grace Mayer, NEA Resolutions Member, Ex-Officio
Lucille Martinez-Holguin, NEA Resolutions Alternate Member, Ex-Officio
Ex-Officio:
Mary Parr-Sanchez, President
Bethany Jarrell, Vice President
Staff: Brian Huebner, Liaison
STRATEGIC PLANNING - BUDGET COMMITTEE
Bethany Jarrell, Chair/Vice President
Henry Gonzales, Retired
Melanie Hallbeck, SW
Denise Sheehan, SW, NEA Director
Bess Rusk, SE
Janel Williams-Salazar, NE/NC
Royceann Lafayette, Central
Tammie Yazzie, NW
Ex-Officio:
Mary Parr-Sanchez, President
Staff:
Earl Wiman, Executive Director
CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE Sue Holland, Credentials Chair, NE-NC Region Chair
Bobbie Stratton, Interim Central Region Chair
Charity Cheung, SW Region Chair
Carrie Boatwright, SE Region Chair
Lisa Felix, NW Region Chair
NEA-NM VIRTUAL ANNUAL DELEGATE COUNCIL Sponsored by California Casualty NOVEMBER 6th, 2021, 9:00 AM
ORDER OF BUSINESS Open Hearings: Virtual Click on Zoom Link in Delegate Confirmation Email to Join
Budget, Nov 2, 2021, 5:00-5:30 pm Resolutions, Nov 2, 2021, 5:30-6:00 pm
Delegate Registration 8:00 am-8:50 am Click on Zoom Link in Delegate Confirmation Email to Join
Call to Order President Mary Parr-Sanchez
Pledge of Allegiance Mirieli Montes, US Flag Salute to State Flag: Monica Brycelea, NM Flag Melanie Hallbeck
“I SALUTE THE FLAG OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO, THE ZIA SYMBOL OF PERFECT FRIENDSHIP AMONG UNITED CULTURES.” Land Acknowledgement
Land Acknowledgement Moment of Silence: Necrology Report
Melanie Hallbeck We will have a moment of silence for all the friends, family, and members we lost this year.
Report of the NEA-NM President President Mary Parr-Sanchez introduced by Vice President Bethany Jarrell
BUSINESS MEETING
Introductions Vice President Bethany Jarrell introduces Governance Executive Director Dr. Earl Wiman introduces Staff/Employee Milestone Recognition
NOMINATIONS for ESP At-Large Board of Directors RA Delegates Election Ballot Placements
Jennifer Trujillo Elections Committee Chair President Mary Parr-Sanchez
Introduction of Keynote Speaker: Lieutenant Governor, Howie Morales
President Mary Parr-Sanchez
NEA Human and Civil Rights Award: Wilma Mankiller Awardee 2021
NEA Awards Video: Wilhelmina Yazzie
NEA-NM Special Award Wilhelmina Yazzie
Approval of Preliminary Credentials Committee Report
Sue Holland Credentials Committee Chair
Adoption of Order of Business President Mary Parr-Sanchez Adoption of: Temporary Rules of Order Minutes
President Mary Parr-Sanchez
Fund for Children & Public Education & NEA-NM EdPAC
NEA Director: Denise Sheehan NEA Alternate Director: Melanie Hallbeck
Election Business: • Announcement of Nominations
received by October 20 Deadline
• Nominations Closed for all positions
Jennifer Trujillo, Elections Committee Chair President Mary Parr-Sanchez
CALL TO ACTION NEA-NM PAC FUND
Steve Sianez Bethany Jarrell
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LUNCH BREAK 12:30-1:30
RECONVENE FOR AFTERNOON SESSION
Report of the NEA-NM Executive Director
Dr. Earl Wiman introduced by President Mary Parr-Sanchez
Credentials Committee Final Report
Sue Holland, Credentials Committee Chair
Bylaw/Standing Rule Amendments
Melanie Hallbeck, Const/Bylaws Committee Chair
Resolutions Natalia Martinez, Resolutions Committee Chair Fund Report Denise Sheehan: NEA Director
Melanie Hallbeck: Alternate NEA Director PRES-VP CANDIDATE SPEECHES ESP CANDIDATE SPEECHES
Jennifer Trujillo, Elections Committee Chair
Voting for ESP At-Large Jennifer Trujillo, Elections Committee Chair NM Public School Insurance Authority (NMPSIA)
President Mary Parr-Sanchez introduces Richard Valerio, Executive Director, NMPSIA Katherine Chavez, Benefits & Wellness Operations Manager, NMPSIA
Educational Retirement Board Report (ERB) Break
Mary Lou Cameron, Describes her role and directs delegates to the report.
Report of the NEA Director Denise Sheehan
Adoption of 2022 NEA-NM Legislative Platform
Vice President Bethany Jarrell
NEA-NM Vice President’s Report/ Budget Presentation
Vice President Bethany Jarrell Budget Committee Chair, introduce committee
Announcements and
Elections
President Mary Parr-Sanchez and Vice President Bethany Jarrell Jennifer Trujillo, Elections Chair
Final Tally of PAC Fundraiser and Prize Drawings & Final Tally of EdPAC Fundraiser and Drawings
Denise Sheehan, NEA Director Melanie Hallbeck, NEA Alternate Director
ADJOURNMENT President Mary Parr-Sanchez
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TEMPORARY RULES OF ORDER NEA-NM DELEGATE COUNCIL, Revised for Virtual Meetings and
based on the NEA national model regarding meeting rules and requirements.
I. Meeting format: Zoom will be used as the meeting platform.
II. Voting will be conducted through Zoom and/or delegate email throughSurvey Monkey.
III. To address the chair, delegates must use the “raise hands” feature on theZoom platform. Having been recognized by the chair the delegate mayspeak for no more than 3 minutes, and will state:
a) his or her nameb) the name of the local Association representedc) the purpose for seeking recognition:
• to speak in favor
• to speak in opposition
• point of information
IV. Discussion, debate, points of information, will be allowed following theinitial report after a motion has been moved and seconded for acceptanceor adoption. Each member will be recognized for a period of three (3)minutes only in debate requiring action of the Council. This is intended togive each member an opportunity to speak on each item for action.
V. The chair requests the right to recognize an NEA-New Mexico memberother than delegates or committee members for the purpose of:
• point of information
• to speak in favor
• to speak in opposition
Such time yielded by the chair shall not exceed three (3) minutes.
VI. Main motions will not be amended, votes on main motion will be yes or no.
VII. Robert’s Rules of Order Completely Revised shall be the parliamentaryauthority for this Council on all questions not covered by the Bylaws andsuch Standing Rules as the Council may adopt.
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NEA-NEW MEXICO
2020 DELEGATE COUNCIL
OCTOBER 24, 2020
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
President Mary Parr-Sanchez brought the one hundred thirty-fifth annual NEA-New Mexico Virtual Delegate Council
to order at 8:30 AM, using the gavel of her father-in-law Albert Sanchez, state president of NEA-NM in 1966.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND SALUTE TO STATE FLAG
President Mary Parr-Sanchez introduced Jacqueline Sanchez to lead in the United States pledge and Monica Brycelea
to lead in the New Mexican pledge.
Each year brings some sorrow as we lose some of our cherished members and friends of NEA-New Mexico. President
Parr-Sanchez held a moment of silence for those we have cherished and lost.
President Parr-Sanchez read the Land Acknowledgement.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Vice President Bethany Jarrell introduced President Mary Parr-Sanchez for the President’s Report. She stated she
grew up in Albuquerque, UNM and moved to Las Cruces with the love of her life. Received her master’s degree and
taught 28-years, with 4 children 2 grandchildren; she assisted members employee rights issues, worked with local
bargaining team to ensure employees of LCPS would not have to deal with the same types of treatment she endured.
she has served as a NEA-NM Board member and vice president prior to becoming president of NEA-NM. She
observed community schools in the district on how they supported the students and families in the community. She
worked tirelessly to transition a middle school in Las Cruces to a community school. She coordinated with NEA and
NEA-NM to expand community schools throughout the state. Now, as state president, she has advocated for all
educators across the state. She has increased communications with the local leaders and members of New Mexico.
She has advocated for our members by communicating with the PED Secretary and the Governor.
President Parr-Sanchez thanked Bethany for that introduction and stated she didn’t do it all on her own, but with the
support of the NEA-NM Board members and staff.
She attributed this Council meeting as being the first virtual and most challenging we’ve had. Along with high COVID-
19 rates, unemployment, and children facing hunger, loneliness, and isolation. Many of our members are placing their
own lives at risk. Our elected leaders have failed to provide a second relief package for our schools, our states and
people are facing unemployment. Our members have been in an impossible situation, affecting every area of our lives
and yet, teachers are being dinged in their evaluations when they go out of their lane to help kids or when they dare to
express their first amendment rights. A new teacher evaluation system has rolled out. She shared eight reasons to feel
hope:
1) You’re not in this alone. We have worked with the PED Secretary to let him hear firsthand from our members
what the challenges are in teaching schools. The governor has done everything within her power to keep us safe. She
signed into law the new public employee bargaining act that expands the rights of workers and will have a positive
impact for years. She shared the fact that we have depended our partnerships with NM Center on Law and Poverty,
Voices for Children, Transform Education, and AFT New Mexico to name a few. We stand together going into the
upcoming 60-day legislative session.
2) NEA has taken our leadership and staff to the next level. Dr. Earl Wiman was recently accepted with a three-
year contract, bringing a wealth of knowledge to NM. He has sharpened and grown the skills of the NEA-NM staff
who work hard for you every day.
3) We’re changing the way we’re working, learning new skills, and trying new approaches and we’ve gotten
out of our comfort zones. We have upped our game in providing e-news at a minimum of two times a month and
sending additional information to our members. We have been much more intentional in collecting data from our
members and putting into formats that have been widely shared with the legislature, PED, and the governor so that
people in power hear directly from our collective voice. We have strengthened our relationship with the Jones Firm
and speak with them almost daily and working with NEA national.
4) Leaders throughout the state have risen to the challenge. We have all of our members fighting for all ranges
of education employees on the ground. We have leaders like Mary Lou Cameron, past president of NEA-NM,
advocating for us and monitors the Education Retirement Board. The Delegate Council last year asked her and the
Education Retirement Board to divest from private prisons. Last week the Board voted to do so.
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5) We’re recommitting to social, racial, and education justice so that when we go back to school we’re fighting
for safety and equity. The future of schools isn’t online, it’s in our schools. We’re ready to lead NEA-NM by launching
a fellowship that will be discussed later in being involved across the state.
6) We’re going to elect education friendly candidates on November 3rd! She shared several candidates NEA-
NM recommended. She talked about the “Get out the Vote” campaign and asked that everyone encourage all to vote.
7) We have been here before. In 1919, the Spanish Flu happened, and we have had experience. We are going to
make it through.
8) Because we’ll get through this together.
President Parr-Sanchez spoke in support of NM Constitutional Amendment 1 to change the Public Regulations
Commission to appointed positions.
INTRODUCTIONS
Vice-president, Bethany Jarrell, introduced the 2020-2021 NEA-New Mexico Board of Directors.
Mary Parr-Sanchez President Denise Dawson SE
Bethany Jarrell Vice President Bess Rusk SE
Ashley Peacock Alternate NEA Director Melanie Hallbeck SW
Grace Mayer NE-NC Mary Daniel-Montoya SW
Cindy Sandoval NE-NC Denise Sheehan SW
Carolyn Serafin-Abeyta Central Delphina Ponce ESP At-Large
Jennifer Trujillo Central Henry Gonzales Retired At-Large
Tammie Yazzie NW Rosalinda Carreon-Altamirano Retired At-Large
NEA-NM Executive Director Dr. Earl Wiman introduced the staff. He shared that several staff have reached a certain
milestone with the organization and that those recognitions were in the delegate handbook.
Danielle Smail, Accounts Receivable and Administrative Program Assistant, 5 years
Danielle Ontiveros, Program Assistant
Yuyu Cheng, Staff Accountant, 15 years
Julie Gonzales, Program Assistant, 30 years
Elizabeth Martinez, Executive Program Assistant and RA Coordinator, 20 years
Robbie Morgan, Program Assistant, 15 years
Roxana Brinkley, Program Assistant, 5 years
Edie Brycelea, Deputy Executive Director of Operations, 30 years
Steve Sianez, Government Relations and Communications
Alice Chavez-Villa, Southwest UniServ
Ignacio Sanchez, Professional Learning Coordinator & Jumpstart Grant Facilitator, who was leaving by the end of
October for a UD position in New Hampshire, 5 years
Brian Huebner, Central UniServ, 10 years
Ewa Krakowska, Northwest UniServ, 5 years
Betty Patterson, Northeast/North Central UniServ
Marco Nunez, Membership Coordinator and Organizer
Greg Maxie, Southeast UniServ, 10 years
NOMINATIONS FOR EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MEMBERS AT-LARGE and NEA RA DELEGATES
NEA-NM’s governing documents require that teachers and Educational Support Professionals be represented on the
board of directors in proportion to their membership in the association. If the normal region election process does not
reach this proportionality, at-large elections are held at Delegate Council to create the proper proportionality. One ESP
At-Large member was needed for this year’s Council. President Parr-Sanchez opened nominations, which were
received electronically. She also opened nominations for the NEA RA delegates. A listing of RA delegates was
presented on the Zoom screen and were received by the October 20 deadline. Nominations were time stamped and
would be listed on the ballot in the order they are submitted.
Write-ins are always allowed for RA Delegate positions. She announced that candidate speeches would take place
during the afternoon agenda for ESP, NEA Director, and NEA Alternate Director. She also announced nominations
for both ESP at-large directors, and RA delegates would close shortly after morning break when she announces
nomination closure.
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KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
President Parr-Sanchez introduced Tax Reform Speakers: James Jimenez, Executive Director, NM Voices for
Children.
Mr. Jimenez stated NM Voices for Children is over a 30-year-old organization formed by pediatricians to advocate
for child wellbeing, doing work on the national, state, and local levels. They have mainly three buckets of work:
healthcare, family economics and education. They don’t claim to be education policy experts but rely on NEA and
AFT leaders to advise them on education policy. They mainly engage in making sure there is adequate funding in
order for educators to earn wages and resources in the classroom. Not only K-12, but the early childhood education
as well. They’ve learned a lot about brain development and has been important of the way they think of their work.
They also do some work with the higher education and working to make sure there are good programs in place to train
teachers and others in the system.
He then reviewed how tax policy is education and education policy is tax policy. He shared slides that included:
• Percentages of lower-income communities in NM have a higher prevalence of COVID-19 infections
• Racial wealth gap – net worth of households in NM shows approximately $100,000 difference in worth
• Government policies & actions have reinforced and further widened racial divides
All budgets are a moral document and a reflection of our values. They advocate for increased funding for K-12
education, higher education funding, childcare assistance, home visiting and pre-K, maximize the ACA benefits, and
affordable housing.
He shared how the NM state tax code is upside down. New Mexicans with the lowest incomes pay the highest rates
in state and local taxes. They believe this is the reverse of what they should be.
The racial and ethnic implications of policy is not race neutral. We are supporting a system that is not that robust or
supporting children of color. We can change this as voters. The best path forward involves fair, reliable revenue, not
cuts to the education and health care our families rely on. The right approach is get money out there and support the
kinds of programs good for children and families. We know among the most stable jobs are those provided for public
employment, like the public schools. Continuing to employ people on an annual basis is really a stability for
communities large and small. Public investments create jobs. Supporting those families that create the demands for
business sectors.
He reviewed a few things to create fairness of our tax code and make it more stable.
• Repeal the capital gains deduction
• Increase corporate income taxes
• Increase property tax on high-dollar properties
• Lower the gross receipts tax by broadening the base
Tax credits are proven to help increase family economic security and improve equity in our tax.
• Increase low-income comprehensive tax rebate
• Expand the working families tax credit
• Enact a child tax credit
Additional policies to promote equity and economic well-being:
• End predatory lending
• Continue to raise the minimum wage
• Paid sick leave and family medical leave
• Protect voting rights
• Require a racial impact analysis of all legislation
He stated that NEA-NM has been a great partner. The call to action is asking candidates what they plan to do in
creating child well-being. New Mexico is on a path to greater opportunity for all, let’s not leave anyone behind.
President Parr-Sanchez thanked Mr. Jimenez for his presentation and his service to NM. She stated he was the chief
of staff for Governor Bill Richardson and knows how government works.
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President Parr-Sanchez introduced Representative Javier Martinez who represents NM in House District 11
(Albuquerque). She stated he is a social justice warrior and an advocate for children and families. He is the executive
director of the Partnership for Community Action.
Representative Martinez thanked James Jimenez for all the work he has done and as a guiding light in the social justice
and policy worlds. He thanked the educators across the state for their tireless work. He is a graduate of UNM law
school and has been doing community organizing work for over 20 years and still doing it. Most of his work has been
focused on immigrant rights, early childhood education, and healthcare. He talked about the political history between
2010 and current. Most recently, the proposal to try to make up for the loss last decade that needed to be made up. He
believes the funding provided during the 2019 session came through with raises for our educators. In 2020, they
continued the trend but unfortunately, the policies passed in the House died in the Senate. He reviewed the numbers
of votes to date alerted to decline of state on absentee voting. He shared concerns of targeted races, eight seats in the
house being targeted. These are all swing seats. He talked about seats that were held by republicans are against
education policy funding. The problem is we have divested from education funding for many years. Policies that
James Jimenez talked about make sense and are a necessity. Increased investments in early childhood education is
important. Every dollar spent on early childhood education will receive a 13% return on investment. We can leverage
our land grant permanent funding to ensure every child from the age 0-5 could participate in a robust early childhood
education. Also, what needs to happen is analyzing policy not only through the financial lens but the racial equity lens
as the majority of NM population are people of color. He believes NM is at the cusp of doing amazing things. As a
father, organizer, lawyer, it’s not a lot of fun to leave your family to work at the legislature. However, it is our
generation’s time to step up and lead. The system has to be updated and changed. He encouraged everyone to vote.
The next couple of sessions we have a chance to transform education in NM.
President Parr-Sanchez thanked Representative Martinez for being a powerful speaker for our students. She stated we
stand with him and will advocate and organize during the legislative session to be a powerful voice for our kids and
our public schools.
CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE PRELIMINARY REPORT
President Parr-Sanchez introduced Sue Holland, Credentials Committee Chair, to present the preliminary report of the
Credentials Committee.
Holland reported having duly checked membership rolls, 311 eligible delegates, 113 were elected and duly certified;
94 or 83% registered and are present; 50 are minority and 0 are administrator.
Sue Holland declared a quorum present, and the business of this Council may be transacted.
Sue Holland, NEA-Raton, on behalf of the Credentials Committee, moved that the NEA-NM Council Delegates accept
the preliminary report.
President Parr-Sanchez asked without objection the delegates adopt the preliminary report by consensus by raising
their Zoom hand.
Unanimous Approval
Motion carried
ADOPTION OF ORDER OF BUSINESS
The agenda is on pages 3 and 4 of the 2020 delegate handbooks. It has been NEA-NM’s tradition to adopt the agenda
with flexibility such as adding the NEA Director’s and Alternate NEA Director’s speeches to the agenda, to allow the
presiding officer to change the order of business to facilitate unexpected changes or to keep business moving; the
order of business was adopted by the Board of Directors.
ADOPTION OF TEMPORARY RULES OF ORDER AND MINUTES
The next order of business is the adoption of temporary rules for the conduct of the delegate council and 2019
Council minutes. The rules were printed on page 5 and 6 of the electronic delegate handbook. The 2019 Council
Minutes were on pages 7 – 17 of your electronic handbook. The Board of Directors approved the recommended
temporary rules of order and minutes.
FUND FOR CHILDREN & PUBLIC EDUCATION AND NEA-NM EDPAC
President Parr-Sanchez spoke of the importance of electing friends in education. The national NEA Fund for Children
and Public Education (NEA Fund) provides financial assistance to NEA and NEA-NM endorsed way beyond what is
collected by NEA-NM members.
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Vice President Bethany Jarrell provided the different ways to donate to the NEA Fund and the NEA-NM EdPAC.
The NEA Fund is to support federal candidates and the NEA-NM EdPAC supports state candidates.
SPONSOR ANNOUNCEMENT – CALIFORNIA CASUALTY
Vice President Jarrell introduced Brandon Watson of California Casualty. Mr. Watson talked about the new convenient
services and customed benefits.
• 24/7 for emergency claims service, plus Snap Appraisal
• Flexible payment plans, including Summer and Holiday Skip-Payments
• $0 deductible for vandalism or collision while parked at a school, administration office or association
building
• Pet injury coverage up to $1,000
• Free ID defense
• Unique member recourse available
• Available to extended family members
He stated California Casualty has a five-star rating on Trustpilot. He also recognized Beverly Whygles, NEA-Las
Cruces, for the Awards for Teaching Excellence.
He reviewed the Community Impact Programs:
• $2,500 Giveaway
• Music & Arts Grant
• $7,500 School Lounge Makeover
• Create Real Impact
• Win a Jeep Compass
He shared information on his virtual world member engagement activities that include incentives to our members.
He announced the Music & Arts Grant winners in NM who each received $250 for their schools: Camellia Termini
of NEA-Belen and Pattie Burnam, NEA-Deming.
President Parr-Sanchez thanked Brandon for his sponsorship, work, and partnership with NEA-NM.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF NOMINATIONS AND REPRESENTIVE ASSEMBLY NOMINATONS
President Parr-Sanchez closed nominations at this time of the agenda, 10:50 am, for ESP board member at-large and
NEA RA delegate nominations; candidates for the NEA RA delegates can still be written in on the ballot.
She introduced Elections Committee Chair, Tammie Yazzie with the announcement of our statewide nominations.
Our governing documents require that nominations for office occur in writing; the deadline for receipt of nominations
was October 20th.
Yazzie stated the elections calendar for this year is accessible on the NEA-NM website and a quick link was provided
in the chat.
The ballot positions for RA delegates are in the order received. Statewide and Region Candidate ballot positions were
determined by lot prior to delegate council and are indicated in the projected list. Nominations received by the October
20 deadline are as follows:
Active Member Nominations
NEA-NM Officers
NEA Director for New Mexico and delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly, three-year term, beginning
September 1, 2021. (all active nonsupervisory members eligible)
Denise Sheehan, Las Cruces
NEA Alternate Director for New Mexico and delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly, three-year term,
beginning September 1, 2021. (all active nonsupervisory members eligible)
Melanie Hallbeck, Alamogordo
Region Board of Directors
Northeast/North Central Region Member of the NEA-New Mexico Board of Directors, three-year term beginning July
15, 2021. (all active members of a local in Northeast/North Central Region are eligible)
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Kate MacDermott, Santa Fe
Cindy Sandoval, West Las Vegas
Southwest Region Member of the NEA-New Mexico Board of Directors- Election District representing Las Cruces-
CSEC and NEA-Las Cruces, unexpired term, commencing upon election through July 14, 2023 (all active
nonsupervisory members of a local in the Election District representing Las Cruces-CSEC and NEA- Las Cruces are
eligible)
Mary Daniel-Montoya, Las Cruces
Central Region Member of the NEA-New Mexico Board of Directors, three-year term beginning July 15, 2021. (all
active nonsupervisory members of a local in Central Region are eligible)
Jennifer Trujillo, Bernalillo
Region EdPAC
Northeast/North Central Region Member of the Education Political Action Committee, three-year term beginning July
15, 2021. (all active members of a local in Northeast/North Central Region are eligible)
Kate MacDermott, Santa Fe
Jonathan Martinez, West Las Vegas
Northeast/North Central Region Member of the Education Political Action Committee, unexpired term commencing
upon election and ending July 14, 2023. (all active members of a local in Northeast/North Central Region are eligible)
Kate MacDermott, Santa Fe
Northwest Region Member of the Education Political Action Committee, three-year term beginning July 15, 2021.
(all active members of a local in Northwest Region are eligible)
Shannon Facka, Central Consolidated
Southeast Region Member of the Education Political Action Committee, Election District 1, unexpired term
commencing upon election and ending July 14, 2023. (all active members of a local in Southeast Region-Election
District -1 are eligible) Election District 1—NEA-LOVINGTON, NEA-PORTALES, NEA-CLOVIS, HED-ENMU
PORTALES, NEA-CARLSBAD, NEA-EUNICE, NEA-HOBBS, NEA-JAL, NEA-LOVING, NEA-DORA, NEA-
TATUM, and NEA-TEXICO—are eligible)
Yazmin Izquierdo, Lovington
Central Region Member of the Education Political Action Committee, three-year term commencing beginning July
15, 2021 (all active members of a local in Central Region are eligible)
Rebecca F. Gale, Los Lunas
2021 NEA Representative Assembly Delegates
State Delegate to the 2021 NEA Representative Assembly (all active nonsupervisory members are eligible)
Cindy Sandoval, West Las Vegas
Michael Campbell, West Las Vegas
Lucille Martinez-Holguin, Espanola
Kate MacDermott, Santa Fe
Delphina Ponce, Roswell
Shelly Dunaway, Roswell
State Category Two Delegate to the 2021 NEA Representative Assembly (all category two members-NEA members
who are active supervisors, NEA retired Life members, or NEA staff Life members-are eligible)
No Nominations
Cluster Delegate to the 2021 NEA Representative Assembly (all active nonsupervisory members in locals of 75 or
fewer members are eligible)
No Nominations
Retired Member Nominations
NEA-New Mexico Board of Directors (Two positions to be elected):
Member of the NEA-New Mexico Board of Directors, representing Retired Members, one-year term beginning July
15, 2021 (only retired members eligible to nominate and be nominated)
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Eloy Gonzales, Albuquerque
Rosalinda Carreon-Altamirano, Las Cruces
Henry M. Gonzales, Albuquerque
Eduardo Holguin, Rio Rancho
2021 NEA Representative Assembly Delegate:
Retired delegate to the 2021 NEA Representative Assembly (only retired members eligible to nominate and be
nominated)
Eduardo Holguin, Rio Rancho
Carol Teweleit, Alamogordo
Mary Lou Cameron, Deming
Rosalinda Carreon-Altamirano, Las Cruces
Member of the NEA-NM Education Political Action Committee, representing Retired Members, three-year term
beginning July 15, 2021 (only retired members eligible to nominate and be nominated) Two positions to be elected.
Mary Lou Cameron, Deming
Stephen W. Reynolds, Clovis
Rosalinda Carreon-Altamirano, Las Cruces
Student Member Nomination
Student delegate to the 2021 NEA Representative Assembly (only student members eligible to nominate and be
nominated)
No Nominations
President Parr-Sanchez thanked Tammie, and delegates and candidates, for their attention to this very important part
of our association’s life. She reminded the delegates that all region and statewide elections are by an all-member online
ballot in February. Voting instructions for the statewide election will be mailed on January 29, 2021, and the balloting
will close at 5:00 PM on February 19, 2021. Only eligible retired members may vote for the Retired At-Large Board
Members and the Retired Delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly. Only members of locals of 75 or fewer
members may vote in the state cluster NEA Representative Assembly delegate election.
The deadline for declarations of candidacy for write-in candidates is October 30. Unopposed candidates for state and
region offices will be declared elected on that day if there are no write-in nominations for that office.
CALL TO ACTION
President Parr-Sanchez stated the NEA-NM Education Political Action Committee are elected members and she
shared their work/responsibilities to create candidate questionnaires, interview candidates and make recommendations
of those candidates. She reviewed some of the closer races around the state for federal or state positions and recognized
candidates running who are members of NEA-NM.
President Parr-Sanchez introduced Representative Ben Ray Lujan. She stated he is the highest-ranking Hispanic in
Congress today. He is a champion of working families, small business, public education, environment, access to clean
water, lowering prescription drug prices, ensuring protection for immigrants. He has refused to accept corporate PAC
money for his race, now running for US State Senate.
Representative Lujan shared the importance of the responsibilities of educators molding and shaping the young minds,
embracing what NEA is about. You fight for them to make sure they have meals, food and strong classrooms.
Providing behavioral health support; the support staff of the schools. Growing up in Nambe, he attended the head start
program and believes there should be more investment for early childhood education. Under the Suzanna Martinez
administration, there were some bad decisions made that cost NM IDEA money. He’s been working hard to get those
funds back. Working at closing the digital divide and internet access for the good of our communities. The older
schools need modernizing and bringing those buildings up to date. He talked about how Betsy DeVos has ruined
programs in education. He thanked all the educators for the support they bring in our communities. He talked about
his support of Vice President Biden and Senator Kamala Harris. He talked about his mother who was an educator. He
encouraged all educators to vote. He thanked all educators for their hard work and dedication.
President Parr-Sanchez introduced Luis Guerrero and Cheryl Carreon who shared the various locations to find out
more details of candidates. They reviewed the website and Facebook and how to maneuver through different sites to
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get details of candidates. They reviewed various social media sites to share your vote and support of public education
through Outreach Circle.
REPORT OF THE NEA NM EXECUTIVE DIRETOR
President Parr-Sanchez introduced Dr. Earl Wiman. She feels so fortunate of our national search and his national
qualities. He has the persona of larger than life and a very moving person. Prior to NM, he has served on the NEA
Executive Team, bringing leadership with his new position.
Dr. Wiman shared a video clip of “I will Survive” alien rendition. He’d been here about three months in the Land of
Enchantment and THEN: the virus starts to explode, responses to the virus become politicized, the state along with
our schools close down and BAM the ball drops again and again. He began to think what NEA-NM needs to do to
survive. As the pandemic progresses, layered on top our Federal Secretary of Education, Betsy Devos, who is from
the 88th riches family in America, with 5.4 billion dollars, the person who started her tenure by recommending cuts
to Special Olympics.
He talked about GOTV efforts and what NEA-NM is doing. He talked about the increased communications and
engagements with the members. He stated we have been maintaining our message around school re-opening and have
been very clear to the PED and the Governor’s office that what’s key for us is that teacher, educators, and students
will be safe for any physical reopening and listening to the science and not the politics of it. We’ve moved quickly
with COVID leaven and surveillance testing.
He stated that our President Mary Parr-Sanchez has stepped up in communications with the PED and has built a
positive relationship with the Secretary and the Governor’s office. She has stepped up with our partner organizations
to represent our members and students. Our Vice President has been with her in this process. Our board has changed
the way they communicate and work with each other and engaging local leaders. Our local leaders are stepping up
across the state to bargain, meet and confer, cajole and support members, students, and parents during this pandemic.
He reported the associate staff have continued to work successfully from home and without missing a beat, moving to
Telephonic Join, moving to entirely digital communications and totally changing the context of their work, they have
stepped up. Our professional staff has retooled for a virtual setting; including member and local advocacy, bargaining,
communications, employee rights and professional development, and membership recruitment and retention,
continuing to move forward under very challenging and in many aspects a completely new environment.
He talked about Community Schools being the closest to doing what we need to do for our students. A Community
School wraps its arms around a family providing services that extend far beyond academics. These kinds of services
can make or break a crisis situation. If we have no way to support students, they have little chance of success. Dave
Greenberg, Las Cruces Public Schools, Community Schools Coordinator will be coming to NEA-NM to lead this
work.
Dr. Wiman talked about membership recruitment and retention; it’s about how do we get members and engage
members to increase power. We tend to focus on new teacher recruitment, we must remember there are thousands of
New Mexico educators who are currently working across the state who are not members and are not Early Career
Educators. We’ve done different things in the last few months including the Telephonic Join and adding on our website
asking if people want to join. We have organizing money from NEA to follow-up with the nonmembers. He shared
that the Join Now button is now online and allows people to join online. He thanked the associate staff for making this
new feature happen.
He shared the decline in membership and the disconcerting trend with the declined. We have to work together to turn
around this trend. If this trend continues, we will have limited resources for our members.
We will survive when we listen to our members. We will build alliances in our communities; build alliances of those
who will support public education, doing what’s right for all of our children. We will survive when we work for
legislative justice for public schools, our education employees and the students we serve. You know, when legislators
get out of the schoolhouse, NEA-NM will get out of the state house. We must be issue driven and party blind.
Our national NEA President, Becky Pringle, paraphrases Socrates when she says if you think you are too good or too
smart to be involved in politics – then you will be governed by bad, stupid people! We must be acutely aware that
those who despise government, govern despicably. We will survive when we organize for economic justice.
Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, tells us: There is nobody in this country that got rich on his own
– nobody! You built a factory out there, good for you. But I want to be clear – you moved your goods to market on
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the roads the rest of us paid for. You hired workers the rest of us paid to educate. You were safe in your factory
because of police and fire forces that the rest of us paid for; OK, look, you built a factory and it turned into something
terrific or a great idea, God Bless! Keep a big hunk of it, BUT part of the underlying social contract is you take a
hunk of that and pay forward for the next kid who comes along. NEA-NM let me say right now when others say to
us do more with less, we should say – you do more with less. You, Mr. Corporation, do away with your tax incentives.
You, Mr. Wealthy Donor to the campaigns of the people, who work to silence the voice of school employees, do away
with your tax loopholes.
We will survive when we demand social and racial justice for our students and our communities. Yazzie-Martinez
must be upheld and funded. Let me tell you fundamental to that responsibility is a commitment to the proposition that
each student, and all students, can excel. There is no room for excuses or rationalization from anybody – student or
adult. Barriers must be dismantled; historical disenfranchisement must be rectified; disadvantages must be mitigated;
disabilities must be accommodated; opportunity must be equalized, and support systems must be universal. It is only
through this unequivocal commitment to both opportunity and outcomes that the vision becomes reality, and that
responsibility becomes a social justice responsibility, not an individual one. NEA President Becky Pringle and I say:
In America, it is a sin and a shame for those students who need most to have the least.
Like a three-legged stool, our union cannot stand on traditional union advocacy alone to survive and thrive, our future
demands traditional union advocacy as well as social justice and professional issues agitation. We, the union, must
take as much responsibility for teaching and learning as we do for our traditional advocacy issues. Our members must
feel at home in their union whether:
• Bargaining a contract
• Lobbying the legislature
• Disrupting the school to prison pipeline
• Providing safe, bully-free schools and workplaces
• Ensuring developmentally appropriate curriculum
• Addressing institutional racism
Our survival requires a strong three-legged stool with the legs of traditional unionism, social and racial justice, and
professional practice, our survival requires NEA-NM to stand-up and show-out for all of our members and each of
our students.
To Survive, we must take to heart the words of Delores Huerta, “Every moment is an organizing opportunity, every
person a potential activist, every minute a chance to change the world.”
NEA-NM to survive, we must move forward with a clear vision, for me Chief Seattle says it best: When you know
who you are; when your mission is clear, and you burn with the inner fire of unbreakable will; no cold can touch your
heart; no deluge can dampen your purpose. You know that you are alive.” To survive, we must become alive!
Will we survive and thrive? Will we build power through membership recruitment and retention? The answer is in
your hands!
FINAL CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE FINAL REPORT
President Parr-Sanchez introduced the chair of the credentials committee, Sue Holland, to move the committee’s
final report.
Having duly checked the membership rolls, 311 eligible delegates, 113 were elected and duly certified; 94 or 83%
registered and are present; 50 are minority and 0 administrators. Sue Holland declared a quorum present, and the
business of this Council may be transacted.
Sue Holland, NEA-Raton, on behalf of the Credentials Committee, moved for acceptance of the final report.
Unanimous Approval
Motion carried
CANDIDATE SPEECHES: ESP Director, NEA Director, NEA Alternate Director
President Parr-Sanchez stated that the Elections Committee met on October 21st to determine ballot positions and the
names shared on the screen. The candidates for ESP At-Large, NEA Director and NEA Alternate Director will provide
their campaign speeches. Two names were submitted for the ESP At-Large position on the Board of Directors, Tamara
Gabrel, Farmington and Delphina Ponce, Roswell. She called on Tammie Yazzie, Elections Committee Chair, to
preside over this section.
Page 14
Yazzie reported candidate speeches will be in the order in which nominations were received. Tamara Gabrel was
asked to speak.
Tamara Gabrel thanked everyone for their time and listening. She has worked for education for a long time and
currently working with ancillary and custodians through COVID. She would like to represent NEA-NM in this
capacity and asked for support.
Yazzie called on Delphina Ponce.
Delphina Ponce, an EA from Roswell School District. She has served in this capacity for the past year and has passion
for advocating for the ESP members. Recently, she received a call from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham thanking
Delphina for her service in the community.
Yazzie explained the paper ballot process for the ESP At-Large, NEA-NM Budget and Legislative Goals will be
mailed to the delegates present for the Council meeting. She explained the timeline for the ballot mailing and return.
President Parr-Sanchez called on Melanie Hallbeck, candidate for the NEA Alternate Director.
Melanie Hallbeck provided her work experience of 18 years as an educator and 7 years serving on the local and state
levels. She loves public education, its educators, and her union. She knows, every day NEA is supporting educators
in the schools. She believes in the power of NEA for improving public education and securing the best interest of all
educators. Believes in building strong, open, clear, and consistent communication that foster active member
engagement, increase new membership, and strengthen the capacity and reach of our organization. Educators, as
experts, deserve a place at the table to advocate for and to inform effective, equitable, and inspired public education
policy. We need to use our collective voice and our collective action as NEA members to protect health and wellbeing
of educators and students.
President Parr-Sanchez called on Denise Sheehan, candidate for the NEA Director.
Denise Sheehan is in her 10th year in education. She started her journey at 16 years old as a tutor and worked her way
up as an EA and then a teacher. She is now working to support our early career educators. She is committed to our
union, students, and educators in NM. She is a strong advocate for social and racial justice. She has experience at all
levels: local board member, vice president and now the local president. At the state level she serves on the Board of
Directors as well as several state committees. At the national level she has worked with amazing organizers to create
training for organizing around racial and social justice, local elections, and our beloved community schools. She will
work to represent all of your voices and the needs of our state at the national level.
VOTING INSTRUCTIONS
Tammie Yazzie explained that voting for ESP At-Large Board of Directors member, NEA-NM Legislative Goals and
the 2020-2021 NEA-NM Strategic Budget will be conducted by paper ballots sent to all attending delegates of the
2020 Delegate Council to allow for secret ballots. She provided the schedule and process.
NEW MEXICO PUBLIC SCHOOL INSURANCE AUTHORITY REPORT
President Parr-Sanchez reported NEA-New Mexico has, also by state statute, two representatives on the New Mexico
Public School Insurance Authority Board of Directors. Currently serving in those positions on our behalf is Bethany
Jarrell, Alamogordo, NEA-NM VP, and David Martinez, Jr. of NEA-West Las Vegas. A shout-out to our very own
Trish Ruiz, Hobbs who represents the PEC on the NMPSIA Board.
She introduced Richard Valerio, the Executive Director of NMPSIA to provide us with the report on the work of the
Authority. He has a lot of responsibility. He is a very serious and dedicated guardian of our NM Public School
Insurance benefits.
Richard Valerio, joined with Katherine Chavez, NMPSIA Benefits Operations & Wellness Manager, thanked Mary
for having them join the council meeting. He reviewed the history of NMPSIA, the purchasing agency of employee
benefit and risk insurance coverages for public schools’ districts, post-secondary educational entities and charter
schools. It was formed by the NM Legislature in 1986. Currently covering 88 school districts, 96 charter schools, 27
educational entities with an average monthly membership of 47,672 employees and dependents. He shared the listing
of the current board members. He reviewed all the employee benefits & wellness and well-being program. He reviewed
the health & resources benefits and encouraged members to access their website for more detailed information. He
talked about the open and switch enrollment running through November 13, 2020. He reviewed the medical claims
Page 15
summary. In the prior year, NMPSIA paid out over $323 million. He continued to review the other details about the
benefits and risk programs provided through NMPSIA. He provided his contact information for members to contact
him with any further questions, [email protected], 505-988-2736, www.nmpsia.com.
ERB REPORT
President Parr-Sanchez introduced Mary Lou Cameron of the NM ERB. New Mexico Statutes enables NEA-New
Mexico to elect one member to the New Mexico Educational Retirement Board who represents active school
employees. That member is former NEA-New Mexico President Mary Lou Cameron of NEA-Deming. The ERB
report can be found in your electronic handbook on pages 20 and 21.
Mary Lou Cameron reported on the divest of funds into prisons. She stated the ERB joined other organizations in
divesting funds for prisons. These are funds that hurt our children. She reported other details are included in her written
report provided in the handbook.
President Parr-Sanchez thanked Mary Lou for her many years of oversite and support of educators and her advocacy.
Any changes will go through the ERB before investing.
NEW MEXICO RETIREE HEALTH CARE AUHORITY
President Parr-Sanchez reported the retired public employees have their health care needs overseen by the Retiree
Health Care Authority. We share a joint representative on that board with the AFT New Mexico, the classroom
Teachers Association and NEA-New Mexico. That representative is currently AFT NM member, Therese Saunders.
The report can be found in your electronic handbook on page 22.
ADOPTION OF THE 2021 LEGISLATIVE GOALS
Vice President Jarrell reported the proposed 2021 Legislative Goals for the 2021 legislative session are in your
electronic delegate handbook on pages 23 – 29. The EdPAC and Board of Directors present this document to you as
a complete package for approval or rejection in total. No amendments will be taken. The goals, as a whole, will be
on the ballot for a yes or no vote when you receive your paper ballot.
She reviewed the proposed goals to include:
• Support Community Schools
• Ensure Student Equity and Opportunity
• Early Childhood Education
• Extended Learning K-5 Plus
• Providing Adequate High-Quality Health Care
• Health and Wellness Resources that Promote Wellbeing
• Every NM Student Will Learn in Carbon-Neutral School
• Legislation to Increase Student Success Must Address Poverty and Quality of Life for Students, Parents and
the Community
• Prioritize Education Funding to Guarantee Adequate Recurring Revenues
• Safeguarding School Employee Retirement
• Providing Pay Equity and a Living Wage for All School Employees
• Providing Affordable Health Insurance for Education Employees
• Protecting Retiree Health Care
• Preserving Public Funding
• Preventing Vouchers, Tax Credits, Public Scholarships or Other Schemes to Privatize Public Schools and
Resources
• Building Higher Education Funding
• Adequately Funding Fixed Costs
• Public Education Policy during/associated with a National Health Crisis
• Freeze School Enrollment Numbers to Pre-Pandemic Numbers
• School Interruption Policy Must Have Social/Emotional Support Funding
• School Ventilation must be Checked/Upgraded
• Student Assessment and Teacher Evaluation During a Health Crisis
• Sick and Medical Leave During a Health Crisis
• New Teacher Induction and Mentoring
• Class-size Limit
• Student Assessments
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• Building an Appropriate School Employee Evaluation System
• Due Process and Just Cause
• Sustaining Collective Bargaining
Jarrell stated the board of directors is recommending the 2021 Legislative Goals. It has been properly moved by the
BOD. She asked for delegates to raise their Zoom hands to be recognized for debate, questions, or discussion.
President Parr-Sanchez reminded delegates the Legislative Goals will be included on the paper ballot for a yes or no
vote which will be mailed to all delegates in attendance.
President Parr-Sanchez stated the NEA-New Mexico President, Vice-President, and Executive Director will
collaborate with AFT New Mexico leadership to produce a mutually agreed upon set of legislative priorities consistent
with those of NEA-NM.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT AND BUDGET PRESENTATION AND REVIEW
According to our governing documents, the Board of Directors prepares and passes our annual budget. That budget
is presented beginning on page 34 of the electronic delegate handbook. This budget is for the program year that began
September 1, 2021. Vice-President and Budget Committee Chair Bethany Jarrell presented the budget.
Vice President Jarrell reminded delegates the budget will be voted on by paper ballot. Delegates should raise their
Zoom hands to be recognized for debate, questions, or discussion. Participants will be called on in order of raised
Zoom hands. The chair will recognize delegates, who receive a screen notification to unmute.
President Parr-Sanchez recognized Rosalinda with the question of the amount of only $500 for the Human and Civil
Rights. President Parr-Sanchez stated NEA-NM received a grant from NEA for racial and social justice in the amount
of $200,000 to be received over a 3-year period. These funds will be used for the Education Fellows programs soon
to be launched.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Parr-Sanchez gave tribute to the awardees from the Hall of Fame and Awards Ceremony from the night
before, recognizing all honorees. She talked about the ceremony and how moving it was.
Vice President Bethany Jarrell announced the delegates contributed a total of $700 for the NEA Fund for Children
and Public Education and almost $3,000 for the NEA-NM EdPAC fundraising. Linda Knutson won the gift card for
contributions to the NEA Fund and Julie Gonzales for the NEA-NM Century Club. She thanked everyone for their
contributions.
President Parr-Sanchez shared a final review of the NEA-NM candidates for the upcoming 2021 election for state
offices and RA delegates.
President Parr-Sanchez reminded the delegates of the upcoming NEA-NM Rock the Vote event with Representative
Ben Ray Lujan, Representative Haaland and candidate Teresa Leger Fernandez.
ADJOURNMENT
President Parr-Sanchez, seeing no more business to come before this Council and having completed our agenda, this
135th Delegate Council is adjourned at 3:45 PM!
Page 17
Great Public Schools Begin With Us!
NEA-NM EMPLOYEE MILESTONE RECOGNITION
NEA-New Mexico recognizes Steve Sianez, Government Relations and
Communications Director, for 5 YEARS of service. Steve is excited about
improving the lives of our kids and all the folks who work in the public
schools. He tells us that organizing has been something he has been doing
since he was a little kid. Steve believes union work is a calling. Steve is
responsible for NEA-NM’s government relations and communications work
which includes member-to-member recommendation campaigns and the bi-weekly newsletter.
He is passionate about team building, collaborating, and bringing people together. Thanks, Steve,
for your 5 years of service to NEA-New Mexico.
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At-Large Elections to the NEA-New Mexico Board of Directors
Article V of the NEA-New Mexico Constitution requires proportional representation
of Educational Support Professionals (ESP) and minority members as described
below:
c. Ethnic minority membership shall be represented on the Board in the same proportion as
the number of their NEA-NM members’ bears to the total Active membership of NEA-NM. The
Delegate Council shall nominate and elect ethnic-minority members to the Board of Directors
when necessary to maintain this proportionality.
d. Educational Support Professionals shall be represented on the Board at least in
proportion to their membership in the Association. If the percentage of Educational Support
Professionals elected to the Board of Directors fails to achieve such proportional representation,
the Delegate Council shall nominate and elect at large the number required to assure such
representation.
The election of one (1) at-large member representing ESP members is required to
achieve the correct proportion of ESP membership on the Board. No at-large
minority elections are required. The ESP at-large election will be held online during
the allotted time on the agenda. If it becomes necessary to hold runoff elections,
they will be conducted in the afternoon session of the Council.
The term of office for each position shall begin at the close of the 2021 Delegate
Council, assuming certification of election by the Council and will end at the close
of the 2022 Delegate Council.
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October 2021
Dear NEA-NM Delegates:
Another year has passed, and the New Mexico Educational Retirement (ERB) Board has
continued to work diligently, along with staff, to make sure that our retirement future is secure.
Our Board Chair, Russell Goff, has led our Board through his first year as chair. He is
dependable, dedicated and a fierce advocate for all members participating in the New Mexico
ERB. I am honored to collaborate with him as vice chair, along with our secretary Larry Magid,
governor appointee. Our Board also welcomes Kurt Steinhaus, Secretary of the Public
Education Department, as its newest member. Secretary Steinhaus has been a vivid supporter of
the ERB during his tenure as superintendent of the Los Alamos Public Schools. Other Board
members include Mario Suazo, designee for Stephanie M. Rodriguez, NM Higher Education
Department Cabinet Secretary; Donald Duszynski, AAUP representative; Matias
Fontenla, AFT-NM Representative; and NM State Treasurer Tim Eichenberg.
Chair Goff also serves as chair of our ERB Investment Committee and has prepared the
following statistics that I will share with you.
The ERB Investment Report for July 30, 2021, showed the following:
• A one-year return of 26.4%, a three-year return of 11.0%, a five-year return of 10.4%, a
ten-year return of 8.8%, and a 9.3% return since inception.
The ERB Investment Report for August 31, 2021, showed the following:
• A one-year return of 26.2%, a three-year return of11.4%, a five-year return of 10.6%, a
ten-year return of 9.3%, and a 9.3% return since inception.
• The total assets of the Fund were reported as $16, 066,342,028 on July 31, 2021.
(A new record!)
• The total assets of the Fund were reported as $16,272,790,161 on August 31, 2021.
(Another new record!)
Bob Jacksha, our Chief Investment Officer, and his impressive investment staff, are to be
commended for his work to protect and improve the investments of the fund for current and
future employees.
Under legislative action for 2022, the Board approved a resolution to support increased employer
contributions to address the solvency of our fund. Our Board feels strongly that continued
increases in member contributions should not always be on the back of the members. Other
legislative action that supports protecting and approving our fund will be addressed at our next
Board meeting.
As previously indicated, our former ERB Executive Director Jan Goodwin resigned in March
2021 to take a position in another state. Currently, Rick Scroggins is serving as the Interim
Executive Director while the Board of Trustees awaits resolution of the salary issues with the
Governor. A search will then begin for a permanent Executive Director. Mr. Scroggins has been
invaluable in making sure that the Board and the members are served at the highest level.
Retirement applications continue coming into the ERB. For the period of August 1 to September
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30, 2021, the Board approved 237 regular retirements. Until this July, the ERB had experienced
a six-year downward trend. A final number will not be available until the end of the year.
Our Board is working diligently to secure the backing of the legislature to improve our solvency,
making retirement benefits at a livable wage, and protecting our fund for current and future
retirees.
Once again, I thank you for your confidence in serving as your representative on the New
Mexico Educational Retirement Board. More importantly, I thank you for your dedication over
these many months of COVID to keep our students learning and moving forward to reach their
goals to be successful in the future.
Mary Lou Cameron NEA-NM Representative to the NM Educational Retirement Board
Page 20b
(Document Placement Page)
NM Public School Insurance Authority (NMPSIA) Report
Pending receipt of report
Page 21
New Mexico Retiree Health Care Authority Report
On July 15th and 16th, 2021 the New Mexico Retiree Health Care Authority Board of Directors held its annual meeting in Taos. This was the first time we have met in-person since March 2020. However, we have since returned to virtual meetings.
The current financial outlook for the NMRHCA is a positive one. It has extended its solvency period through 2050 (up from 2014 just 13 years ago in 2008). The staff reported the trust fund balances surpassed $1 billion in April, 2021. But good news is always balanced by the knowledge of the ever-rising prices in healthcare and prescription medication. While our solvency is strong, it is expected that the NMRHCA will have to start deficit spending in the next two or three years (meaning it will have to start spending the money in the trust fund- as opposed to added to it) in order to meet expenses and thus effecting our solvency.
With that in mind, the NMRHCA continues to make decisions/ modifications that will continue this program for both current and future participants. The Board adopted plan design and rate increases which take effect on January 1, 2022. The plan rate increases reflect respectively, six (6) percent and four (4) percent increases for the pre-Medicare (under age 65) plan and Medicare supplemental plan. (I personally voted for a plan with lower increasesbut was outvoted.)
The NMRHCA continues to look for ways increase retirees’ wellness in order to decrease medical expenses. Wise and Well is a virtual wellness event to be held September 29. The Board approved a one-year trial for the LIVONGO program that works to improve member’s management of diabetes. This program is voluntary and expects to save $67/month/person.
The Board also approved pursuing an independent lawsuit against generic drug manufacturers to recoup damages for alleged price fixing behavior. NMRHCA was a major purchaser of generic drugs and could potentially recoup monetary damages directly by filing a separate lawsuit against the pharmaceutical companies. NMRHCA has already discussed this matter with the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office and they do not oppose NMRHCA filing an independent suit.
Respectfully submitted,
Therese Saunders September 17, 2021
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NEA-NM 2022 Legislative Platform
Introduction
The National Education Association of New Mexico has for 135 years sought to promote
and advance the education profession, protect the rights and interests of our members,
and secure an adequately funded and equitable public education system for all. Throughout
its long history, enacting legislation that reflects the needs and experiences of New Mexico’s
teachers (educators), students, and communities has been of the utmost importance in achieving
these goals.
In the context of the current crisis in childhood wellbeing, it is critical that the voice of educators
be included in the decision-making and budget processes regarding children’s education and care
in public schools. These decisions will determine health and safety in the workplace and shape
the quality of education New Mexico’s students can expect to receive for years to come. The
COVID-19 crisis has underlined the stark inequity that continues to plague our public education
system, while emphasizing the indispensable role schools and teachers play in our society. The
pandemic has provided a unique opportunity to adopt innovative policies and recommit ourselves
to public education. We ask that state lawmakers carefully consider the following Legislative
Goals, which reflect the collective voice of thousands of educators across the state who are more
invested in public education than ever before.
It is important to note that the categorization of this platform into themes is intended to facilitate
reading but does not reflect the truly interconnected nature of our work: all of these goals work
together synergistically to uplift the education profession and create a more just and equitable
education system for students.
NEA-NM looks forward to collaborating with state legislators and the Governor to see
these goals realized in the next legislative session and beyond.
Sufficient and Equitable Education System
Support Community Schools: Community Schools meet the needs of diverse students and
families by including them as full partners in decision-making and allowing them to shape the
programs and policies they wish to see implemented in their schools. Community schools identify
both the assets and needs in a school community through the hiring of an on-site coordinator who
works within the school to bring about grassroots change. Rather than pursued as a below-the-
line grant program receiving limited recurring State funding, the Community Schools model should
be rolled out Statewide as part of an effective strategy to combat poverty, improve academic
learning, and achieve racial and social equity in New Mexico.
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Ensure Student Equity and Opportunity: Our education system must be rebuilt on core values
of honoring our students’ well-being and ending systems of discrimination and marginalization
that do not allow all students to learn and perform to their full potential. The State must deeply
engage educators, students, families, and tribal leaders to shape education priorities. These
priorities should emphasize increasing and maintaining appropriate support for students with
priority needs, such as special education, gifted, and English Language Learners, and providing
for more fine arts, physical education, music, and vocational programs taught by qualified licensed
instructors. Quality internet access must be guaranteed for all students.
Dual Language Education: Deep investments must be made in dual language educators who
will in turn foster bilingualism, biliteracy, enhanced awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity
and high levels of academic achievement in two languages. Dual Language education provides
a multilingual, multicultural, and rich experience for students. New Mexico’s rich linguistic and
cultural resources must be developed as assets. Many of NM’s students hear a language other
than English spoken at home. Research shows that development of a child’s native language will
help a child learn an additional language at much higher levels of success.
Early Childhood Education: All students should have access to successful programs that
increase educational opportunity, including universal pre-K that is culturally and linguistically
responsive. In addition, students with disabilities must be provided special education and ancillary
services that meet individualized education plans and in the most appropriate and least restrictive
classroom settings. Discipline of young children should be developmentally appropriate, inclusive
and to the extent possible restorative (root-cause) in nature. Home visiting programs and other
early childhood programs are also proven to help our students be fully ready to benefit from their
K-12 schooling and should be expanded Statewide.
Increase Educator Planning Time by Funding additional Staff (social workers, onsite-
coordinators, specials teachers: arts, PE, music)- All educators must have additional planning
time to navigate the challenges of students living in poverty, students with disabilities and students
learning English as a second language. Food insecurity, housing, and transportation insecurity
(poverty) cause specific challenges to students. Educators need time to analyze student needs
and respond with appropriate supports like collaborating with the school’s social worker,
counselor, or nurse (on-site coordinator) to establish contacts with community agencies that can
expand the school’s capacity to provide help for students and families. Educators need time to
make home visits and seek to understand the challenges that families and students face in
accessing educational opportunities. Educators need time to work with families to understand
how their child learns best. Parents are a wealth of information regarding their children, and
educators need time to meet and collaborate with them and other educators.
Legislatively reduce administrative tasks that have little or nothing to do with teaching or
supporting students. Can someone else supervise bus arrivals, rest rooms and the campus, or
the cafeteria? Do teachers really need to submit lesson plans for each class every week, or would
a sample of lessons be just as informative?
K-12 Home Visits: Research has shown for years that families are essential to student and school
success. Cultural and socioeconomic differences, expectations and unconscious assumptions
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may get in the way or well-meaning adults working together effectively. Home visiting can help
educators and families overcome barriers that get in the way of developing deep, trusting
relationships that affect a child’s academics. Educators should be given training, time, and extra
pay to conduct meaningful home visits. Significant barriers to student success can be overcome
with a mutually supportive relationship between home and school. The US Department of
Education recognizes home visiting as a high impact strategy for family engagement when
properly conducted.
Extended Learning K-5 Plus: Educators believe in the power of extended learning for our
students. Local affiliates, districts, parents, and students must participate fully in the design,
authorization, implementation, and evaluation of extended school and year programs. Authentic
teacher-generated assessments should be used to measure student academic growth and
achievement. Laws and policies governing these programs must take into consideration the
impact on the community and be in accordance with professional salaries and class size. These
programs must be staffed by properly certificated/licensed employees. Employment in these
programs must be on a voluntary basis. We believe the most powerful programs provide funding
for classroom supplies, as well as money for experiential learning activities which go beyond
textbook and/or computer seat time. Partnership with local nonprofit organizations also typically
enhances program quality. Flexibility must be provided as to how individual school districts and
individual schools within a district can best meet the needs of their communities, parents, and
students.
Every New Mexico Student Will Learn in a Carbon-Neutral School: Develop and initiate
funding for a plan to make every New Mexico school carbon-neutral. This program will
simultaneously move our State toward increasing the flow of available funds to the classroom (by
reducing the structural energy-related “fixed cost” within District and school budgets).This plan
should be structured so that contractors work with the school staff to provide student opportunities
for Career and Technical Education instruction and hands-on learning experiences for students
(such as understanding the math, science, engineering, and policy behind the initiative). This
program will also be a big step toward helping our State achieve its goals of being carbon-neutral
by 2045 and stimulate economic growth in every New Mexico community.
Funding
Prioritize Education Funding to Guarantee Adequate Recurring Revenues: Over the last ten
years, public school funding has been reduced as a percent of general fund expenditures. Every
dollar spent through the failed strategy of tax breaks for the rich (households of $250,000 +
income) is a dollar taken from our students. Adopt a strategy to provide revenue for sufficient
funding to meet student needs for every New Mexico student.
● Repeal the 2013 Corporate Tax Give-Away
● Restore Personal Income Tax Rates of 2003
● Raise Cigarette, Alcohol, and Gas Taxes (Excise Taxes)
● Repeal the Capital Gains Deduction that allows investments to be taxed at a
lower rate than the hard-earned wages of New Mexico workers.
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Safeguarding School Employee Retirement: Retirement credit is earned compensation—not
a "gift" from taxpayers. Provide all education employees the full benefits of retirement through a
fully funded defined benefit plan, with the original COLA’s restored, without offsets for other
pension plans. The financial security of the New Mexico Educational Retirement Association
(ERB) must be ensured through measures supported by the stakeholder groups comprising ERB
membership.
Return to Work Educators: Reduce or eliminate Return to Work employees wait out period to
4-6 weeks and eliminate cap on compensation limit. This will allow retired educators to return
immediately to address the educator shortage.
Providing Pay Equity and a Living Wage for All School Employees: Student success is
enhanced with a stable, resourced high-quality educational workforce. Provide a $15 minimum
wage for all school employees, including but not limited to school secretaries and other
administrative support staff, food service, transport, and custodial employees. Fully fund the
statutorily required increase to Statewide Teacher Licensure levels to $45,000 for Level One;
$55,000 for Level Two; and, $65,000 for Level Three, and ensure all experienced teachers at
each level are similarly respected by enacting an across-the-board minimal increase of ten
percent (10%). Add another level of teacher pay for a teacher resident at $35,000. Enact and fund
appropriate licensure level minimum salaries for education assistants/paraprofessionals, and
other licensed educational professionals.
Legislation to Increase Student Success Must Address Poverty and Quality of Life for
Parents and the Community: This should include, but not be limited to, raising the minimum
wage to a living wage.
Providing Affordable Health Insurance for Education Employees: As with student learning,
the quality of teaching is impacted by educator health. Escalating health insurance premiums
and benefit decreases impact recruitment and retention of quality educators. Appropriate health
care options must be provided. The statutory limit for employer-paid insurance premium subsidies
must be increased and funded to maintain a healthy workforce of quality educators. Require
Districts to pay 80% or more of the premium cost for health insurance for any employee making
less than $40,000 a year. Use American Rescue Act Plan funds to give a one-time cash infusion
to the New Mexico Public Schools Insurance Authority.
Protecting Retiree Health Care: When the New Mexico Retiree Health Care Authority
(NMRHCA) was created, it was not a pre-funded retirement benefits program. Provide sufficient
funds to maintain the commitment made by New Mexico citizens to public employees. Limited
increases in employee and employer withholdings, funded by the State, to improve the solvency
of the system may be required.
Preserving Public Funding: Resist schemes to privatize the education of any public-school
students. Privatization of educational services cannot be tolerated, including those supported by
the PED through below-the-line programs funneling public funds to private enterprises.
Privatization is an abdication of public accountability. We must avoid giving control of students'
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education to private, for-profit providers and charter “management” corporations—be they
delivered on-site or through virtual technology.
Preventing Vouchers, Tax Credits, Public Scholarships or Other Schemes to Privatize
Public Schools and Resources: Free and uniform public schools are required by the New
Mexico Constitution. Direct all financial support for student education toward fulfillment of this
constitutional obligation, and not toward supporting private schools, home schooling, or for-profit
management of public schools, including charters. The privatization of any public-school
employee positions be they full-time, part-time, or temporary, must be resisted.
Building Higher Education Funding: Higher Education funding must be fully restored, and no
more cuts made. A statutorily defined formula, similar to that in the School Finance Act for Public
Schools, should be enacted to provide sufficient funding for Higher Education, holding harmless
all institutions during the transition. Funding cannot be allowed for any form of “Merit Pay,” but
must allow Higher Education to prioritize equitable faculty and staff increases over capital costs.
Adequately Funding Fixed Costs: We advocate funding to provide for built-in fixed costs and
for district flexibility so employees and elected school boards, through collective bargaining, may
determine local priorities.
Staffing for Student Needs
Student Mental Health Needs: Education Support Professionals (ESP) can have profound effects
on student learning and are vital to properly address everyday student issues such as physical
and mental health problems, homelessness, and all adverse childhood experiences (ACES).
Mental health needs are best served when the school community is supported by a team of trained
professionals and support staff including licensed school social workers, licensed school
counselors, licensed school psychologists, licensed school nurses, and behavioral support
specialists.
Social Emotional Learning: Social emotional learning is not an add on—it must be embedded
into classrooms and school cultures. Honoring the social emotional needs of learners is negated
if we try to teach faster so that students try to learn fast to “catch up.” Students can better obtain
real-life skills, such as critical thinking, when they are supported in the engagement of deep
curricular studies and when schools move away from overly abundant lists of content designed
to prepare students for standardized tests.
Health and Wellness Resources that Promote Wellbeing: School based health centers should
be increased and available in all schools serving a majority of low-income students and families.
Poverty creates conditions that affect cognitive and language development and socioemotional
skills. Young people in low-income, minority communities are at an increased risk of experiencing
or witnessing violence or other traumatic events. Teachers must be prepared with trauma-
informed approaches to mitigate the effects of poverty and trauma on learning and healthy
development.
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Residency Programs to Enhance the Teacher Ecosystem: Research on the impact of a well-
developed residency model suggests that, on average, residents are more racially diverse than
new teachers; are much more likely to stay in teaching, especially in high-need districts; and are
typically more effective than other novice teachers. Teacher residents should be embedded into
teacher preparation programs. Paid residencies would attract more educators to enroll in formal
preparation programs that better prepare educators to enter their classrooms as the most
experienced and well-versed teachers.
Professionalism
New Teacher Induction, Mentoring and Residency Programs: Statutorily mandated induction
and mentoring programs for public education employees must, finally, be funded. Colleges of
education should be funded to collaborate with and provide support for teacher induction and
mentoring in public schools. Support for research based, well-developed residency programs to
encourage more New Mexicans to enter teaching and the other education professions as the best
route to provide every New Mexico student with a highly qualified educator, rather than expanding
alternative programs or relying excessively on long-term substitute teachers as the route to
address our teacher shortage. New Mexico should develop high-quality alternative routes into
teaching through residency programs, by providing essential oversight of residents by a master
educator, ensuring candidates learn specific educational theories and strategies, while providing
the correct coursework for candidates to address the needs of the students they will be assigned
to teach.
Address the Educator Shortage: Currently, there are close to 600 teacher vacancies across the
state. Well prepared teachers have both content knowledge and pedagogical knowledge. New
Mexico students will benefit from well-prepared teachers. They will benefit more if we can retain
them. Fund increased planning time for educators to be available to mentor new teachers and
teacher residents. More support is needed for educators in their first five years.
Class-size Limit: Statutorily prohibit blanket class-size waivers, or class-size averaging that
shortens the students’ time with educators. Large class sizes and the resulting limited one-on-
one time with educators have a disproportionate negative impact on English Language Learners
and other students with priority needs. Restore funding for sufficient staff, including highly
qualified teachers and support service professionals, to adhere to, and meet all students’ needs.
Student Assessments: Varied performance assessments conducted in a formative (on-going)
manner can be used for diagnosis of student needs and improvement of instruction. Student
assessments should never be used for high stakes decisions including school grading or staff
evaluations and compensation. Performance based assessment, like Capstone projects, are
more culturally and linguistically appropriate for New Mexico’s diverse learners. State mandated
assessments should be used as only one measure of student success. Teacher created
assessments, grades based upon day-to-day instruction, dual language acquisition,
civic/community engagement, student attendance and other locally created measures provide a
more complete student assessment picture. Multiple measures must be used.
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Building an Appropriate School Employee Evaluation System: Our students, and the public,
deserve an educational workforce accountable to them. Student success is enhanced when
evaluation systems emphasize professional growth and development. Fair evaluation systems
that appropriately measure teacher impact on student achievement do not use standardized
student test scores. Evaluations must be fair and impartial and based on objective observations.
Only trained and certified administrators who work together as a team for student success should
evaluate school employees, not outside contractors, or the Public Education Department.
Licensure advancement and evaluation must be fair and transparent and available to all licensed
employees, not as a subterfuge for Merit-Pay schemes.
Employee Rights
Due Process and Just Cause: Unjust adverse job actions against any school employee
destabilizes the provision of high-quality education for our students. Statutory provisions for due
process procedures guarantee “just cause” for all discipline and program decisions of educational
management. Preserve and enhance current rights and extend them to higher education and
supervisory employees.
Sustaining Collective Bargaining: Students gain a lifelong love of learning when their educators
have a significant role in educational and professional decisions and workplace conditions. The
process of elected employee representatives of their choice collectively bargaining with their
elected Boards of Education and the administrators who serve them, as provided for under the
Public Employee Bargaining Act, must be maintained. So-called "Right to Work" legislation and
other efforts to diminish the influence of Unions in the workplace must be opposed.
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NEA-New Mexico 3-1(g) Plan
2020-2021
A plan for minority representation and involvement in NEA activities
NEA Bylaw 3-1(g)
It is the policy of the Association to achieve ethnic-
minority delegate representation at least equal to the
proportion of identified ethnic-minority populations
within the state. Prior to December 1 of each fiscal
year, each affiliate shall submit to the NEA Executive
Committee for its approval a legally permissible plan
which is designed to achieve a total state and local
delegation to the Representative Assembly held that
fiscal year which reflects these ethnic-minority
proportions. If a state affiliate fails to submit such a
plan, the NEA Executive Committee fails to approve a
plan which is submitted, or a state affiliate fails to
comply with an approved plan, the Representative
Assembly may deny to the delegates from the state
affiliate any right to participate in the NEA
Representative Assembly at the Annual Meeting other
than to (i) participate in elections for Association
officers, and (ii) vote on increases in Association
membership dues. Local affiliates shall comply with
the approved plan of the state affiliate and if a local
affiliate fails to do so, the right of its delegates to
participate in the NEA Representative Assembly at the
Annual Meeting may be limited as indicated above.
The failure of a state or local affiliate to comply with
the provisions of this Bylaw shall, in addition, be
grounds for censure, suspension, or expulsion pursuant
to Bylaw 6-5.
NEA-New Mexico’s
Minority Involvement Program
NEA-New Mexico’s Minority Involvement
Program goal is to enhance the Association’s visibility
as the recognized, active advocate for ethnic-minority
school employees, students, and issues. NEA-NM
recognizes the role that Institutional racism plays in
our schools, and we also want to spotlight systemic
patterns of racism and educational injustice that impact
students, staff, and communities. NEA-NM will take
action to enhance access and opportunity by
demanding changes to policies, programs and practices
that condone or ignore unequal treatment and hinder
student success.
The Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee (EMAC-
Racial and Social Justice Committee) and NEA-New
Mexico Executive Committee are charged with the
responsibility to develop and monitor a plan to achieve
this goal with assistance from the Minority Caucus and
the American Indian/Alaska Native Caucus.
As part of this responsibility, the EMAC-Racial
and Social Justice Committee will monitor the
Leadership Development Program when and if there is
a program. The EMAC-Racial and Social Justice
Committee reviews the entire program with special
emphasis on ethnic-minority attendance, ethnic-
minority recruitment, EMAC-Racial and Social Justice
Committee correspondence to ethnic-minority
participants, develop an ethnic-focused conference and
ethnic-minority active participation in Association
activities. The NEA-NM Board of Directors will be
charged with finding funds to support the Leadership
Development Program. The majority of participants are
ethnic minority.
In addition, NEA-New Mexico’s Resolutions,
Constitution and Bylaws specify the organization’s
commitment to minority members’ participation in all
Association programs and to minority representation in
local affiliate leadership, as Council delegates, on the
Board of Directors and on NEA-New Mexico
committees.
The NEA-New Mexico Membership, Ethnic
Minority Affairs, and ESP Committees all received
committee charges requiring them to collaborate on
strategies to increase ethnic-minority membership and
participation in NEA-New Mexico.
NEA-New Mexico continues to identify, recruit,
and activate ethnic-minority members to involve them
in our Association on a regular basis, including but not
limited to the NEA Representative Assembly.
Purpose
The purpose of NEA-New Mexico’s 3-1(g) Plan is
to make the Association stronger by ensuring that all
members have the opportunity for active participation.
This plan is one component of NEA-New Mexico’s
commitment to involving minority members in all of
the organization’s programs.
The 3-1(g) Plan publicizes the NEA Representative
Assembly, and commits NEA-New Mexico and local
Associations to recruiting members as RA delegate
candidates, especially encouraging ethnic minorities.
The NEA 3-1(g) bylaw establishes the goal that
each state’s delegation to the Representative Assembly
should be at least equal to the proportion of identified
ethnic-minority populations within the state.
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Bylaw 3-1(g) emphasizes the important process of
including members in NEA and state affiliate
programs.
Publicity and Delegate Recruitment
NEA-New Mexico will publicize the 3-1(g) Plan
with:
a) The 3.1(g) plan will be branded as “Equity in
Action” for communication purposes. (Ongoing)
b) An electronic presentation which could include
a PowerPoint and/or webinar will be developed by the
EMAC-Racial and Social Justice Committee for
presentation. This presentation will include an
explanation of potential fundraising techniques and
how to become an RA delegate. This presentation will
be:
i) Made available on the NEA-New Mexico
website. (Ongoing)
ii) Presented to the Region Councils, Board of
Directors, and other state-wide meetings.
(Ongoing)
iii) Shared via social media. (Ongoing)
c) A feature article in The Advocate’s Voice and/or
on the NEA-New Mexico website describing the
process for becoming an RA delegate and encouraging
ethnic minority members to participate in this process.
This would be included in the first edition of The
Advocate’s Voice in October and again in March.
(October and March)
d) An electronic communication providing an
overview of the NEA RA will be sent, prior to the
annual delegate council, to ethnic minority members
who register for the annual NEA-NM delegate council
encouraging them to run for NEA RA state delegate
positions. (October)
e) An electronic letter, brochure and presentation
will be sent in February from the NEA-New Mexico
president and EMAC-Racial and Social Justice chair to
local Association presidents and the New Mexico
NEA-Retired president detailing the timelines and
requirements of the local delegate election process and
encouraging ethnic minority members to participate in
this process. (February)
f) By mid-February, a postcard and/or electronic
communication is sent to all ethnic minority members
describing the NEA RA local delegate election process
and encouraging them to run. (February)
Increasing Members’ Self-Identification
NEA-New Mexico met its 3-1(g) numerical goal
for 1987, 88, 89, 1991, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 2000, 01,
02, 2008, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020. New
Mexico’s ethnic-minority population is 59%. That
census change raised the bar for NEA-New Mexico to
send a delegation to the NEA Representative Assembly
which meets or exceeds that percentage of minority
population.
Twenty-one (21%) percent of our members do not
choose to self-identify ethnicity. Of those members
who choose to self-identify, 55% identify themselves
as ethnic minorities. However, when compared to the
total membership, only 45% are identified as ethnic
minorities, restricting the pool of potential ethnic-
minority delegates, therefore:
a) NEA-NM will encourage members to self-identify
ethnicity. An electronic communication will be sent to
those members who have chosen “other” for ethnicity
on their NEA membership form. The electronic
communication will include an online form to provide
their ethnicity. NEA-New Mexico will then enter this
data into the membership system using NEA’s eight
ethnic categories: American Indian/Alaskan Native,
Asian, Black, Hispanic, Multiple Races, White, Native
Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Other.
Local Associations
NEA-New Mexico exceeds its ethnic minority
delegate goals year after year in the election of State
and Cluster Delegates. Some Local Associations may
not elect RA delegates or those who elect delegates are
unable to fund; however, minority participation at RA
is strongly encouraged. The failure of Local Delegates
to come close to meeting our census generated goal has
been the major reason for NEA-New Mexico’s failure
to meet our 3-1(g) goals in the past. Therefore, a major
emphasis of this plan will be to again meet 3-1(g) goals
with locally elected delegates.
Presidents will continue to be strongly urged to
explain the 3-1(g) Plan at a meeting of Association
Representatives before delegate candidates are
nominated. They will be reminded to make use of the
PowerPoint, audio presentations, and other resources
on the NEA-New Mexico website.
Presidents and Association representatives will
be encouraged to recruit ethnic-minority candidates to
attend the NEA Representative Assembly. Those
elected will be provided information regarding the
NEA Conference on Racial and Social Justice.
Page 31
Presidents in locals with more than one
delegate candidate will be encouraged to meet the 3-
1(g) numerical goals.
Self-identified ethnic-minority members in
local Associations entitled to elect RA delegates will
receive a communication from the NEA-New Mexico
president and the NEA-New Mexico EMAC-Racial
and Social Justice chair describing the delegate
election process.
Local Associations must report delegate
election results to the NEA-New Mexico president no
later than April 8. Presidents will also be asked to
submit a report to the NEA-New Mexico president
concerning delegate nominations and elections
pursuant to the 3-1(g) implementation.
The NEA-New Mexico president will
communicate to local Associations the need to plan
and budget funding for locally elected delegates.
Presidents’ Council meetings include discussions about
the fiscal responsibilities of local presidents. During
these discussions, the need for local delegate funding
will be emphasized.
Delegate Categories
All state-wide delegate nominations open in early
September and close at the Annual Delegate Council.
Local Delegates:
Local Associations elect delegates to the NEA
Representative Assembly for each 150 Active
members or major fraction thereof. A local with 76
members or more will elect one delegate for each 150
active members or major fraction thereof.
Active members who want to be a candidate for
delegate should notify the local Association president
in writing.
State Delegates:
NEA-New Mexico Active and Retired members
vote for State Delegates to the NEA Representative
Assembly in their membership category.
Active or Retired members are eligible to run for a
delegate position in their membership category.
Cluster Delegates:
Local Associations with fewer than 76 Active
members will form a cluster to elect delegates. Only
Active members in these clustered locals vote for
Cluster Delegates.
Delegate Statements
All Candidates for State Delegate (State, Cluster,
and Retired) may submit a statement (up to 25 words)
for inclusion on the NEA-New Mexico Representative
Assembly delegate election information on the
electronic ballot. Local Association presidents will be
encouraged to also allow prepared statements to
accompany ballots.
Funding a) NEA-New Mexico will provide a stipend to
assist State and Cluster Delegates to attend the in-person NEA Representative Assembly. NEA-NM will make every effort to increase the stipend.
b) The Minority Caucus, in accordance to their by-laws may provide a stipend to assist ethnic-minority caucus members elected to the NEA Representative Assembly.
c) The American Indian/Alaskan Native Caucus,
in accordance to their by-laws may provide a stipend to assist ethnic-minority caucus members elected to the NEA Representative Assembly.
d) NEA-New Mexico and the EMAC-Racial and Social Justice Committee will encourage regions and locals to provide additional funding for State and Cluster Delegates beyond that provided by NEA-New Mexico.
e) NEA-NM will explore the possibility of
providing funding for EMAC-Racial and Social Justice members to attend the Leadership Development Program.
NEA-New Mexico, 2007 Botulph Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505
Great Public Schools Begin with Us!
Making Students a Priority ~ Promoting Professional Excellence ~ Improving the Well-Being of School Employees
Revised and approved by vote of the NEA-NM EMAC-Racial and Social Justice Committee on 9-29-2020; by the
NEA-NM Board of Directors on 10-23-2020, and the NEA Executive Committee on 2-9-2021.
Page 32
NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION – NEW MEXICO
FISCAL YEAR 2022 STRATEGIC PLAN
AND STRATEGIC BUDGET
PREPARD BY: NEA-NM BUDGET COMMITTEE
Page 33
FY 2022 NEA-New Mexico Strategic Budget Budget Total – 3,209,179
NEA-New Mexico Strategic Objectives:
Strategic Objective #1.0 – EQUITY AND EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION
# 1.1 – INVESTMENT IN PUBLIC EDUCATION
$35,280
Strategic Objective #2.0 – EMPLOYEE RIGHTS
$209,449
Strategic Objective #3.0 – EDUCATION EMPLOYEE’S PUBLIC IMAGE, SELF-ESTEEM
$6,060
Strategic Objective #4.0 – AN INDEPENDENT, UNITED EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
$370,780
Strategic Objective #5.0 - HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS
$500
Strategic Objective #6.0 – BASIC SUPPORT AND SERVICES
$2,507,110
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NEA-New Mexico
Proposed
Strategic Budget
For Fiscal Year 2022
Membership Number of
FTE’s
Dues
Revenue
Projected Full Dues & Assessments 4,953 $2,001,012
Total Membership Revenue $2,001,012
NEA Grants/Project Funds
UniServ 540,013
Dushane ULSP 100,000
NEA Member Benefits 28,000
Small States Grant 220,139
USEDP Grant 75,214
Total NEA Grants/Project Funds 963,366
Other
Interest 34,100
Events Income 2,000
Rental Income – Main Office Site 72,658
Education Defense Assessment 124,043
Miscellaneous 12,000
Total Other 244,801
Total Revenue $3,209,179
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NEA-New Mexico FY 2022
Strategic Objective # 1.0
EQUITY AND EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION
To assure equity and excellence in education, NEA-New Mexico will lead the movement to provide the best possible
learning opportunities for all students.
Strategic Objective # 1.1
INVESTMENT IN PUBLIC EDUCATION
$35,280
To provide a Great Public School for every student and to insure excellence and equity, NEA-NM will work to
maintain the required vital investment in public education.
✓ Provide research and data to the public, policymakers, opinion and education leaders, business and
community organizations about the funding issues related to New Mexico’s public schools.
✓ Provide data, research and resources to locals related to salaries and benefits. Use NEA research and other
sources.
✓ Design strategies that are aligned with NEA to promote the increased funding of New Mexico’s public
schools.
✓ Seek NEA resources, human and monetary, for the development of an integrated plan to increase public
school funding.
✓ Support strategies to use “Investment in Public Education” issues to promote membership enrollment and
activities in locals.
✓ Support efforts by local associations to lobby “back home” on quality school issues. These could include
class size, modernization of schools, funding, programs, teacher quality, support personnel issues and
others.
✓ Lobby federal and state policymakers concerning issues related to properly staffed and adequately funded
learning opportunities for all students.
✓ Work with the New Mexico Public Education Department and Public Education Commission to design and
implement regulations that support quality teaching and learning.
✓ Update joint legislative platform and lobby state legislators on items related to that platform including
assistance in sponsoring events for legislators that increase our access and visibility.
✓ Support strategies to use “Equity and Excellence in Education” issues to promote membership enrollment
and activity in locals.
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✓ Provide opportunities for member lobbying. This should include training, message development, and
support systems for ongoing communication.
✓ Sponsor events for member face-to-face testimony and lobbying with legislators.
✓ Support local association leaders and Association Representatives in local organizing to promote the NEA-
New Mexico political agenda and enhance local organizing efforts.
✓ Provide statewide communications vehicles for members to stay current on legislative events.
✓ Provide support for the NEA-New Mexico lobby team to assist in sponsoring events and opportunities for
interaction and visibility with legislators and other policymakers.
✓ Support political fundraising efforts in locals and at state events.
✓ Support participation in Ed Partners.
✓ Lobby legislators to provide funding to obtain and maintain hardware, software and communications
systems for student and school employee use.
✓ Work with coalition members to influence state legislators to provide a practitioner-controlled standards
board.
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Strategic Objective #2
EMPLOYEES RIGHTS
$209,449
To protect, improve and expand the right and influence of education employees, NEA-New Mexico will utilize
advocacy processes such as exclusive recognition, collective bargaining, political action and litigation to gain
greater personal and contractual security.
Sub-objectives:
2.1 Strengthen and advance collective bargaining for education employees.
Provide training, resources, and research to local associations working to maintain or gain collective
bargaining rights.
✓ Assist locals organizing for school board elections.
✓ Elect and lobby state legislators favorable toward passing a collective bargaining agreement.
✓ Proved Bargaining Trainings, such as Interest Based Bargaining.
✓ Assist in developing strategies for alternate paths to collective activity in local associations.
✓ Provide support to locals that are working to maintain or gain collective bargaining.
2.2 Advance employment rights for all through progressive training, other advocacy programs and legal
assistance, as appropriate.
✓ Provide training opportunities for local leaders and members in assertive communications, employee
rights, grievance processing and other advocacy systems.
✓ Provide Spring Budget training.
✓ Provide legal services for members through the ULSP.
✓ Provide training related to school districts budgets. Assist with budget analysis.
2.3 Achieve the passage of legislation to strengthen collective bargaining rights, statutory due process
rights, and otherwise advance the Association’s legislative agenda.
✓ Provide lobbying training for local leaders and members.
✓ Identify, recommend, and assist electing pro-education candidates. Provide locals with
information concerning legal issues directly related to campaigning.
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✓ Offer opportunities for leaders and members to communicate/meet with state policy- makers
including opportunities to assist in sponsoring events that provide more access and visibility.
✓ Work with local associations to design strategies to use association volunteers to elect pro-
education candidates.
2.4 Effect the election or appointment of Association-supported local, state and federal office holders.
✓ Provide names of pro-education people to policymakers for consideration for appointments.
2.5 Secure shared decision making in all districts.
✓ Provide models and examples of shared decision making from other NEA affiliates.
✓ Assist locals in designing strategies to acquire useful and fair authority at the site.
✓ Provide training related to school district budgets.
✓ Assist with budget analysis.
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Strategic Objective #3
EDUCATION EMPLOYEES’ PUBLIC IMAGE, SELF-ESTEEM
$6,060
To secure a commitment to the intrinsic value of public education, NEA-New Mexico will promote a
positive public image of, and self-esteem among, education employees.
Sub-objectives:
3.1 Advocate salaries and a work environment commensurate with job responsibilities.
✓ Provide data to locals from NEA and other state affiliates. This could include salary information, job
descriptions, job classifications, etc.
3.2 Develop and implement an internal and external public relations program.
✓ Develop a working relationship with statewide media. Provide assistance to design strategies for
working with the local media.
✓ Provide communications training to local associations including message development and
strategies for handling the local media. Assist in the design of local strategies for impacting the
media.
✓ Provide an all member newsletter.
✓ Provide and maintain an NEA-New Mexico website.
✓ Support Read Across America activities.
✓ Design and deliver a Public Relations program with the NEA-New Mexico message clearly stated.
Use a variety of strategies for delivery of the message.
✓ Provide training to locals for design and promotion of local association message. Encourage the
use of a variety of local vehicles for the delivery of local message.
3.3 Provide strategies and opportunities to promote self-esteem among education employees.
✓ Use media to promote positive issues related to teaching, schools and the Association.
✓ Assist local associations in the design of a local image program.
✓ Provide grants to locals and regions for public relations.
✓ Provide for a Hall of Fame Reception.
✓ Provide for Teaching Excellence Awards.
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✓ Support strategies to use “Education Employees’ Public Image, and Self Esteem” issues to
promote membership enrollment and activity in locals.
✓ Use NEA resources to support the promotion of teaching, schools and the Association;
including American Education Week and Teacher Appreciation Week activities.
3.4 Build organizational allegiance.
✓ Use NEA-New Mexico communications vehicles for promoting the image and impact of the work
of the Association.
✓ Assist local in designing local strategies for promoting image and impact.
✓ Encourage the design of “local programs” that reflect local issues and concerns.
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Strategic Objective #4
AN INDEPENDENT, UNITED EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
$370,780
To secure for members the benefits of an independent, united education association, NEA-New Mexico
will empower education employees through strong local affiliates; visionary, responsive leadership; and
inclusionary practices which will increase membership, resources and the personal commitment and
involvement of members.
Sub-objectives:
4.1 Secure strong leadership teams in all locals.
✓ Provide for a Summer Leadership Academy/Advocacy Conference.
✓ Provide training to locals in leadership skills, communication skills, and organizational
development. Use a variety of venues when necessary. Provide follow up to local plans.
✓ Support strategies to use “An Independent, United Education Association” issues to promote
membership enrollment and activity in locals.
✓ Continue to seek emerging leaders. Assist locals in designing mechanisms for finding volunteers to
be Association Representatives, committee members, etc.
✓ Identify emerging leaders and support their leadership training. Support the identification of
under-represented groups.
✓ Use alternative strategies in locals to gain recognition for representation with local school boards.
4.2 Design and implement an aggressive, coordinated membership campaign to significantly increase
members in all categories.
✓ Provide training in membership processing to local leaders and staff.
✓ Support efforts of local associations who seek innovative methods of membership recruitment through
local/state grants.
4.3 Establish and maintain projects to support and advance local membership programs.
✓ Provide resources and training for locals to design and implement high profile membership programs
for the purpose of recruiting, maintaining, and activating members.
✓ Assist locals in creating strategies for local programs directly responsive to member needs. Provide
research support for these efforts.
✓ Train locals in basic organizing techniques. Focus on local issues of interest.
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✓ Offer state/local grants for supporting efforts to increase membership activity.
✓ Provide NEA research and data to assist locals in designing local plans for increasing membership.
✓ Assist locals in designing strategies for recruiting, retaining, and activating their membership. These
strategies should reflect the local membership interest.
✓ Provide follow-up membership support to locals.
4.4 Ensure under-represented groups of members' access to all benefits of the Association.
✓ Provide for a Ethnic-Minority Affairs Committee.
4.5 Promote an active union message and promote membership enrollment.
✓ Assist locals in the design of communications vehicles to promote the activities and
opportunities for members. Provide training in membership recruitment and retention.
✓ Support strategies to use “An Independent, United Education Association” issues to promote
membership enrollment and activity in locals.
✓ Assist in the design of targeted membership strategies.
✓ Assist locals in the design of local issue organizing. Provide training in basic organizing.
✓ Use NEA resources to increase membership in all categories.
4.6 Guarantee open, democratic governance structure.
✓ Provide for a full time release NEA-New Mexico President.
✓ Provide for a NEA-New Mexico Board of Directors.
✓ Provide for a yearly Council meeting.
✓ Provide for Committees as called for in the NEA-New Mexico Constitution/Bylaws or created by the
NEA-New Mexico Board of Directors, such as the following:
o Personnel Committee
o Budget Committee
o Election Committee
o Hall of Fame Committee
o Membership Committee
o ESP Committee
o Constitution, Bylaws & Standing Rules Committee
o Resolution Committee
o Credentials Committee
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✓ Provide assistance to delegates to the NEA RA.
✓ Provide governance training for state and local leaders/officers. This could include training in
leadership, roles and responsibilities, running effective meetings, local strategic planning, local
elections, maintaining local documents, etc.
✓ Share technology information from NEA to local associations, where appropriate.
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Strategic Objective #5
HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS
$ 500
To promote and defend human and civil rights, NEA-New Mexico will work independently and
collaboratively to eliminate all forms of discrimination and to attain equitable treatment for all people.
Sub-objectives:
5.1 Work individually and collaboratively to eliminate biases and stereotypes aimed at diminishing the
worth of others.
✓ Seek resources from NEA to offer training to members on issues related to Human and Civil
Rights.
✓ Support strategies to use “Human and Civil Rights” issues to promote membership enrollment
and activity in locals.
✓ Work with aligned groups to promote fair and equitable treatment of all.
✓ Use information provided by NEA Health Information Network to assist locals who want to deal with
local health and school safety issues.
5.2 Advance equal access to quality education for all students, with special attention to those considered
educationally at-risk.
✓ Assist locals to design local strategies to raise awareness of the needs of students that are educationally
at-risk.
✓ Work with outside organizations that share our interest in meeting the educational needs of "at-risk"
student populations.
5.3 Achieve performance-based, culturally sensitive assessment of students in New Mexico schools.
✓ Work with coalition partners to influence the design, selection and delivery of student assessment
instruments.
5.4 Work with colleges of education to provide culturally sensitive teacher preparation programs.
✓ Seek resource assistance from NEA to develop state strategies to influence colleges of education to
provide culturally sensitive teacher training programs.
✓ Use NCATE as a model for identifying areas of improvement for teacher preparation programs.
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5.5 Collaborate with other individuals and organizations to attract and retain minorities and other under-
represented in education.
✓ Seek assistance from NEA to address issues of minority recruitment and retention in education fields.
This should also include strategies for other under-represented groups in education.
5.6 Build effective leaders among minorities and other under-represented groups of members.
✓ Continue the identification of emerging leaders and support the Essential Leadership Cadre programs.
(NEA Project support).
✓ Encourage local associations to design strategies for identifying Association Representatives to include
minority and other under-represented groups.
5.6 Achieve and clarify NEA and NEA-New Mexico objectives and position on equity issues.
✓ Design and distribute the NEA-New Mexico 3.1(g) Plan to all locals.
✓ Use NEA-New Mexico communications vehicles for promoting and clarifying the NEA-New Mexico
position and objective on equity. This could include the issues directly related to legislation, funding,
testing, etc.
✓ Identify the groups impacted by under representation. Provide opportunities for them through
program, events, and activities.
✓ Provide targeted information to those groups identified for the purpose of informing them of
opportunities available through the Association.
✓ Assist locals in the design of strategies for identifying and activating under-represented groups.
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Strategic Objective #6
BASIC SUPPORT AND SERVICES
$2,587,110
To achieve its Strategic Plan, NEA-New Mexico will support the systems and services that provided the
basic framework described in the Strategic budget.
Sub-objectives:
6.1 Coordinate the development, implementation and communication of Association policies.
✓ Provide for professional staff.
✓ Provide for associate staff.
6.2 Maintain sound organizational financial practices and policies to support NEA-New Mexico and
affiliate programs and administration.
✓ Provide for an Executive Director.
✓ Provide for a Business Manager.
✓ Provide for an Office Manager/Events Coordinator.
6.3 Develop and maintain integrated research and information systems to support NEA-New Mexico and
affiliate programs and administration.
6.4 Maintain a safe and productive work environment with efficient office support systems.
✓ Provide for regional and headquarters office space.
✓ Provide for operating expenses to maintain headquarters and regional offices.
✓ Provide for technological support systems for use in offices.
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Effective October 26, 2019
CONSTITUTION
of the
NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION OF NEW MEXICO
Preamble
We, the members of the National
Education Association of New Mexico, in
order that the Association may serve as the
New Mexico voice for education, advance
the cause of education for all individuals,
promote professional excellence among
educators, gain recognition of the basic
importance of the teacher in the learning
process, protect the rights of educators and
advance their interests and welfare, secure
professional autonomy, unite educators for
effective citizenship, promote and protect
human and civil rights, and obtain for its
members the benefits of an independent,
united teaching profession, do hereby adopt
this Constitution.
ARTICLE I. Name, Goals, Objectives,
Authorities for Governance, and NEA
Affiliation.
Section 1. Name.
The name of this organization shall be
the National Education Association of New
Mexico.
Section 2. Goals and Objectives.
The goals of the Association shall be as
stated in the Preamble. The Association
shall have all power necessary and proper
to take action for the attainment of these
goals. Nothing in this Constitution or in the
Bylaws shall be construed to prevent the
Association from pursuing objectives
which are consistent with the stated goals
of the Association.
Section 3. Governance.
The Association shall be governed by
its Articles of Incorporation, this
Constitution, the Bylaws, the Standing
Rules, and such other actions as the
membership, the Delegate Council, and the
Board of Directors may take consistent
therewith.
Section 4. NEA Affiliation.
The Association shall be affiliated with
the National Education Association of the
United States.
ARTICLE II. Membership.
Section 1. Classes of Membership.
There shall be a class of Active members.
Other classes of membership may be
provided in the Bylaws.
Section 2. Membership Eligibility:
Provisions and Limitations
a. Membership in the Association, as
provided in the Bylaws shall be open to any
person who is actively engaged in, or who
is on leave of absence from the profession
of teaching or other work in education, or
who is serving as an executive officer of the
Association or who is employed by the
Association.
b. Membership is limited to persons
who shall agree to subscribe to the goals
and objectives of the Association and to
abide by the Governing Documents of the
Association.
c. An application for membership shall
be subject to review as provided in the
Bylaws, 2.2-d.
d. The Association shall not deny
membership to individuals on the basis of
race, creed, national origin, sex, or physical
limitation, nor shall any organization which
so denies membership be affiliated with the
Association.
Section 3. Property Interest of
Members.
All right, title, and interest, both legal
and equitable, of a member in and to the
property of the Association shall end upon
the termination of such membership.
ARTICLE III. Delegate Council.
Section 1. Accountability.
The Delegate Council, consisting of
members of the Association, derives its
powers from and shall be responsible to the
membership.
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Section 2. Allocation of Delegates.
a. Allocation of delegate credentials to
local affiliates and Student NEA shall be
based on membership as provided in the
Bylaws, which also shall provide for other
delegate credentials.
b. The Association shall seek,
through available means, proportional
ethnic minority representation in the
Delegate Council. The Bylaws shall define
the term ethnic minority.
Section 3. Election of Delegates.
a. Members of the Delegate
Council shall be elected in accordance with
the one-person-one-vote principle.
Specific exceptions to the application of
this principle may be set forth in the
Constitution and/or Bylaws.
b. Election to executive office or to
the Board of Directors shall constitute
election to the Delegate Council.
c. Election of delegates to the
Delegate Council shall be by secret ballot
for each individual position. The NEA-NM
members within each membership group
entitled to delegate allocations as set forth
in the Constitution and the Bylaws shall be
eligible to vote.
Section 4. Seating of Delegates.
The Delegate Council shall have
jurisdiction over the seating of its
delegates.
Section 5. Meetings.
The Delegate Council shall meet at
least once each year. In case of emergency,
the Association Board of Directors may call
or postpone a Council meeting as provided
in the Bylaws.
Section 6. Committees.
All appointive bodies of the Association
shall be designated by the term committee.
A Committee on Constitution, Bylaws, and
Rules shall be established by the Delegate
Council. All other committees shall be
established or discontinued as provided in
the Bylaws.
Section 7. Functions.
The Delegate Council shall:
a. establish Association policies and
objectives;
b. amend the Bylaws in accordance
with Article VII, Section 3;
c. adopt the rules governing its
meetings;
d. enact such other measures as may be
necessary to achieve the goals and
objectives of the Association which are not
in conflict with the Articles of
Incorporation, this Constitution, or the
Bylaws.
Section 8. Objectives.
The Delegate Council may periodically
establish specific objectives in the
pursuance of the stated goals of the
Association.
ARTICLE IV. Executive Officers.
Section 1. Executive Officers.
The executive officers of the
Association shall be the President and the
Vice President.
Section 2. Qualifications for Executive
Officers.
All candidates for the office of President
and Vice President shall be Active
members of the Association. All executive
officers shall maintain Active membership
in the Association.
Section 3. Elections, Terms and
Salaries.
a. The candidates for the offices of
President and Vice President shall be
elected in accordance with the Bylaws and
Standing Rules.
b. The terms of the President and of the
Vice President shall be three (3) years
beginning July 15 following their election.
Each executive officer shall remain in
office through July 14 of the year in which
a successor is elected, unless otherwise
provided in this Constitution. An executive
officer shall serve no more than two (2) full
consecutive terms in the office to which
elected.
c. The elected President shall serve full
time. The salary for the President shall be
determined as provided in the Bylaws.
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Section 4. Vacancies and Succession.
Vacancies occurring by reason of death,
resignation, incapacity, recall, or other
disqualification shall be filled as follows:
a. A vacancy in the office of President
shall be filled by the Vice President.
b. A vacancy in the office of Vice
President shall be filled by the Board of
Directors, which shall elect a successor to
serve until the meeting of the Delegate
Council following the effective date of the
vacancy.
If, at the time of the Delegate Council,
the next general election is six (6) months
or less, the Delegate Council will fill the
vacancy using the procedures for the
election of members-at-large to the Board
of Directors, except that elections to fill
these vacancies may be held at any
Delegate Council. If the next general
election is greater than six (6) months, a
general election will be called; and
nominations will be received on the floor of
the Delegate Council.
c. If the offices of President and Vice
President become vacant, the Board of
Directors shall elect successors to both
offices until the meeting of the Delegate
Council following the effective date of the
vacancy. If, at the time of the Delegate
Council, the next general election is six (6)
months or less, the Delegate Council will
fill the vacancy using the procedures for the
election of members-at-large to the Board
of Directors, except that elections to fill
these vacancies may be held at any
Delegate Council. If the next general
election is greater than six (6) months, a
general election will be called; and
nominations will be received on the floor of
the Delegate Council.
Section 5. Recall.
Executive officers of the Association
may be recalled for violation of the Code of
Ethics of the Education Profession, for
misfeasance, for malfeasance, or for
nonfeasance in office.
a. Recall proceeding against an officer
shall be initiated by written petition
submitted to the Board of Directors by at
least (1) fifty (50) percent of the delegates
certified for attendance at the most recently
held meeting of the NEA-NM Delegate
Council; or (2) twenty-five (25) percent of
the total Active membership of the
Association; or (3) seventy-five (75)
percent of the members of the NEA-NM
Board of Directors.
b. If, after a due process hearing, a two-
thirds (2/3) vote of a review board as
provided in the Bylaws shall sustain the
charge, a recall vote of the entire Active
membership by secret ballot shall be held.
If the recall is sustained by two-thirds (2/3)
of those voting, the office shall be vacant.
ARTICLE V. Board of Directors.
Section 1. Composition.
The Board of Directors shall consist of:
(a) directors selected from units to be
determined in the Bylaws (5.1); (b)
directors from the Student NEA, as
determined in the Bylaws; and (c) the
executive officers, the New Mexico NEA
Director, and the alternate New Mexico
NEA Director.
a. Teachers shall be represented on the
Board at least in proportion to their
membership in the Association. If the
percentage of teachers elected to the Board
of Directors fails to achieve such
proportional representation, the Delegate
Council shall nominate and elect at-large
the number required to assure such
representation.
b. Supervisors shall be represented on
the Board in the same proportion as the
number of their NEA-NM members bears
to the total Active membership of NEA-
NM. The Delegate Council shall nominate
and elect an at-large administrator/
supervisor member(s) to the Board. For the
purposes of this article, Supervisor shall
have the meaning contained in the New
Mexico Public Employee Collective
Bargaining Act.
c. Ethnic minority membership shall be
represented on the Board in the same
proportion as the number of their NEA-NM
Page 50
members bears to the total Active
membership of NEA-NM. The Delegate
Council shall nominate and elect ethnic
minority members to the Board of Directors
when necessary to maintain this
proportionality.
d. Educational Support Professionals
shall be represented on the Board at least in
proportion to their membership in the
Association. If the percentage of
Educational Support Professionals elected
to the Board of Directors fails to achieve
such proportional representation, the
Delegate Council shall nominate and elect
at large the number required to assure such
representation.
e. Non-supervisory teaching faculty/
professional staff in higher education shall
be represented on the Board at least in
proportion to their membership in the
Association. If the percentage of non-
supervisory teaching faculty/professional
staff in higher education elected to the
Board of Directors fails to achieve such
proportional representation, the Delegate
Council shall nominate and elect at-large
the number required to assure such
representation.
f. Retired members shall be
represented on the Board at least in
proportion to their membership in the
Association. Retired directors shall be
elected by secret ballot for each individual
position by the retired members of NEA-
New Mexico.
g. Student NEA representation on the
Board of Directors shall not be computed in
determining the representation entitlements
of administrators or non-supervisory
teaching faculty/professional staff in higher
education.
h. Alternates for positions on the Board
of Directors shall be as determined in the
Bylaws.
Section 2. Election and Terms of Office.
a. The election of NEA-NM directors
shall be provided for in the Association
Bylaws.
b. NEA-NM directors shall serve a term
of three (3) years and shall serve no more
than two (2) full consecutive terms.
c. At-large directors shall serve one-
year terms and shall serve no more than six
(6) full consecutive terms.
d. Student NEA directors shall serve a
term of one (1) year and shall serve no more
than two (2) full terms. The directors shall
be student members of the Association.
Section 3. Functions.
Consistent with the programs, goals,
objectives and the existing policies of the
Association, the Board of Directors shall
act for the Association between meetings of
the Delegate Council and in addition shall
have the sole responsibility for any matter
expressly delegated to it by the Delegate
Council.
ARTICLE VI. Affiliates and Special
Interest Groups.
Section 1. Affiliation.
Affiliation shall mean a relationship
based on a reciprocal contractual
agreement between the Association and an
organization involved with or interested in
education and shall continue until the
affiliate withdraws or becomes
disaffiliated.
Section 2. Ethnic Minority
Representation.
Affiliates of the Association shall take
all reasonable steps to assure that their
elective and appointive bodies shall have
ethnic-minority representation at least
proportionate to the ethnic-minority
membership of the affiliate.
Section 3. Classes.
The three (3) classes of affiliates shall be
governance, Student NEA, and non-
governance.
a. The governance class shall consist of
local affiliates exclusively.
b. The Student NEA shall consist solely
of the student members of the Association.
c. The non-governance class shall
consist of all other affiliated professional
and nonprofessional organizations.
Page 51
Section 4. Rights of Active Members in
Governance Affiliates.
Each governance affiliate shall
guarantee its members an open nomination
procedure and a secret ballot. No
governance affiliate shall discriminate
against its members in their right to vote,
seek office, or otherwise participate in the
affairs of the affiliate, of other governance
affiliates, or of the Association.
Section 5. Standards and Procedures
for Affiliation.
Affiliates which fail to comply with
standards and procedures set forth by the
Bylaws shall be subject to censure,
suspension, or disaffiliation.
Section 6. Special Interest Groups.
Any organized group of Association
members having a common interest or
purpose may be recognized as a Special
Interest Group provided such a group is not
eligible for any class of affiliation.
ARTICLE VII. Amendment of
Constitution and Bylaws.
Section 1. Proposal of Amendments.
Amendments to the Constitution or the
Bylaws may be proposed by one or more of
the following methods:
a. By petition signed by at least fifty
(50) Active members from two (2) or more
local affiliates and submitted to the
Committee on Constitution, Bylaws and
Rules for presentation to the Delegate
Council;
b. By petition signed by at least twenty-
five (25) delegates to the Delegate Council
and submitted to the Committee on
Constitution, Bylaws and Rules for
presentation to the Delegate Council;
c. By majority vote of the Active
membership of a local affiliate present and
voting at an official meeting of the local;
d. The form of the proposed
amendment will be presented in an official
Association publication and distributed to
all members prior to the Delegate Council
at which it will be considered.
e. By majority vote of the NEA-NM
Board of Directors and submitted to the
Committee on Constitution, Bylaws and
Rules for presentation to the Delegate
Council; or
f. by majority vote of the Committee on
Constitution, Bylaws and Rules.
Section 2. Amendment to the
Constitution.
a. A proposed amendment to the
Constitution shall be presented in writing to
the Committee on Constitution, Bylaws and
Rules, postmarked no later than fifty (50)
days prior to the Delegate Council meeting
at which it is to be considered.
b. The text of the proposed amendment
shall be printed in the Delegate Handbook
and sent to all delegates no later than thirty
(30) days prior to the Council meeting at
which it will be considered.
c. Two-thirds (2/3) vote of delegates to
the Council shall remove an amendment
from the ballot.
d. This Constitution may then be
amended by two-thirds (2/3) of the votes
cast by the Active members of NEA-NM at
a regular or special election.
Section 3. Amendment of the Bylaws.
a. A proposed amendment to the
Bylaws shall be presented in writing to the
Committee on Constitution, Bylaws, and
Rules, postmarked no later than fifty (50)
days prior to the Delegate Council meeting
at which it is to be considered.
b. The text of the proposed amendment
shall be printed in the Delegate Handbook
and sent to all delegates no later than thirty
(30) days prior to the Council meeting at
which it will be considered.
c. The text of the proposed
amendments will be printed in an official
Association publication and distributed to
all members.
d. The Bylaws may then be amended by
a majority vote of the delegates present and
voting except that the Bylaw established
dues shall be amended by vote of the NEA-
New Mexico Active membership.
Section 4. Voting on Amendments.
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a. Voting on proposed amendments to
the Constitution or to the Bylaws shall be
by secret ballot.
b. Unless otherwise provided, all
amendments shall take effect at the
beginning of the fiscal year following their
adoption.
Section 5. Withdrawal of Proposed
Amendments.
Requests for withdrawal of proposed
amendments shall be submitted in writing
to the Committee on Constitution, Bylaws
and Rules. Such withdrawal shall be
effective when approved by the Delegate
Council. Requests for withdrawal of
proposed amendments to the Constitution
or to the Bylaws may be granted by action
of the Delegate Council based on requests
made in the following manner:
a. If originally proposed by petition of
fifty (50) or more Active members from
two or more local affiliates, or twenty-five
(25) or more delegates, the request shall be
signed by at least two-thirds (2/3) of such
Active members or delegates;
b. If originally proposed by a majority
vote of the Active membership of a local
affiliate present and voting at an official
meeting of the local affiliate, the request to
withdraw shall be made by majority vote of
that local affiliate at an official meeting;
c. If originally proposed by the NEA-
NM Board of Directors, the request shall be
made by a majority of the Board;
d. If originally proposed by the
Committee on Constitution, Bylaws and
Rules, the request shall be made by a
majority of that committee.
Page 53
BYLAWS
of the
NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION OF NEW MEXICO
October 26, 2019
1. OBJECTIVES
1.1 Specific Objectives
The specific objectives directed toward
the achievement of the stated goals of the
Association shall be:
a. To improve the structure of the
Association in order to insure the full and
effective participation of all members,
thereby establishing and maintaining an
independent, self-governing organization;
b. to promote continuous improvement
of instruction and of curriculum;
c. to promote and protect the rights and
welfare of its members;
d. to support local affiliates in attaining
a bargaining posture for improvement of
terms and conditions of employment;
e. to advance professional rights and to
enhance professional responsibilities in
order to further the consistent development
and improvement of the profession and its
practitioners;
f. to work among the people of New
Mexico for broad support of education and
for improvement attitudes toward the
profession;
g. to secure adequate financial support
for public education;
h. to promote the rights and welfare of
all students;
i. to assist each student in realizing his
or her maximum potential;
j. to protect and support its members as
employees in disputes with employers or
with those acting on behalf of employers.
2. MEMBERSHIP
2.1 Classes
a. There shall be seven (7) classes of
membership: Active, Staff, Student,
Retired, Reserve, Substitute, and Associate.
b. Active membership shall be open to
any person (i) who is engaged in or on
limited leave of absence from professional
educational work; (ii) who is employed in
or who is on a limited leave of absence from
an educational support position in a school
district, college, university or other
institution devoted primarily to educational
work; or (iii) who is serving as an executive
officer of the Association or of NEA or a
local affiliate.
c. Staff membership shall be open to
any person employed by NEA-NM or any
of its affiliates in a staff position.
d. Student membership shall be open to
students who are receiving basic
preparation at the undergraduate or
graduate level for their initial teaching
responsibility and who are members of duly
chartered chapters of Student NEA in good
standing with the National Education
Association and NEA-NM.
e. Retired membership shall be open to
any retired employee of a school district,
college or university, or other institution
devoted to primarily educational work.
Retired members shall be eligible to vote
and hold elective or appointive positions.
Retired members shall be entitled to receive
such services as may be approved by the
Board of Directors. Retired members must
maintain membership in local associations
where available, or in special regional
associations, and in the NEA.
f. Reserve membership shall be open
to any person 1) who is on a leave of
absence of at least six (6) months from the
employment that qualifies him or her for
Active membership or 2) who has held
Active or Educational Support membership
in the Association but whose employment
status no longer qualifies that individual for
such membership.
g. Unless these Bylaws provide
otherwise, a person who is eligible for more
than one (1) membership category shall
Page 54
join the Association in the membership
category that provides the greatest degree
of participation in Association governance.
h. Associate membership shall be open
to any person who is interested in
advancing the cause of public education but
is not eligible for any other class of
membership in the Association.
i. Substitute membership shall be
open to an educational employee employed
on a day-to-day basis who is eligible for
membership in the Active category and
shall have the option of joining the
Association as a Substitute member unless
said employee is eligible for NEA/NEA-
NM Retired membership. Educational
employees employed on a day-to-day basis
who are included in a bargaining unit with
full-time educational employees shall be
eligible only for Active membership
j. A member may appeal the assigned
class of membership to the Board of
Directors which shall have the authority to
make the final determination in this regard.
2.2 Rights and Limitations
a. Membership in the Association shall
be determined by the local and the
Association. Where membership is denied
on the local level by virtue of educational
position, the Association may provide for
such membership by vote of the Delegate
Council.
b. The right to vote and to hold elective
or appointive position shall be limited to
Active members except as otherwise
provided.
c. Membership shall be continuous
unless terminated for cause. The Board of
Directors shall have the authority to
develop continuous membership policies.
d. Any application for membership shall
be subject to review by the NEA-NM
Board of Directors. A majority vote by the
Board may deny membership to an
individual. The person so denied shall have
the right to appeal to the Board of Directors
and further to the Review Board.
e. The Board of Directors shall have the
authority to censure, suspend, or expel any
member for cause. Every member is
guaranteed due process by the Association.
f. Any member of NEA-New Mexico
who believes he/she has a grievance against
the Association or any of its affiliates shall
be entitled to invoke the following
procedure:
(1) The member bringing the grievance
against the local association shall file the
grievance with the local president and
executive body in writing. The
executive body shall render a decision in
writing within ten (10) calendar days.
(2) The decision, or failure to render a
decision, by the local executive body
may be appealed to the NEA-New
Mexico Board of Directors which shall
render a written decision within sixty
(60) calendar days after receiving the
appeal. If the decision is adverse to the
member bringing the grievance, he/she
shall notify in writing the Executive
Director of NEA-New Mexico of the
intent to appeal to the Review Board.
Such notification must be made within
ten (10) calendar days following the
decision of the Board of Directors.
Decisions involving Legal Services are
made by the NEA-New Mexico Board
of Directors. An appeal of this decision
is made directly to NEA Legal Services.
A dispute involving a legal decision
cannot be considered as a grievance
under Bylaw 2.2.e.
(3) The decision of the NEA-New Mexico
Board of Directors may be appealed to
the Association Review Board which
shall render a written decision within
sixty (60) calendar days following
receipt of the appeal. The Review
Board’s decision shall constitute final
determination of the issue(s) in dispute.
(4) By mutual agreement of the parties to
the dispute(s), binding arbitration may
be selected in lieu of the Board of
Directors and/or Review Board appeals
for final resolution of the dispute(s).
(5) At the request of either party or by
majority vote of the Board of Directors,
Page 55
a hearing will be held in executive
session.
2.3 Membership Year
The membership year shall be
September 1 through August 31.
2.4 Membership Dues
a. Dues of Active members shall be
.007 of the average returning classroom
teachers' salary as computed for the
previous year, rounded off to the nearest
dollar.
b. Dues of Educational Support
members shall be .007 of the average salary
of persons in this category of membership
as computed for the previous year, rounded
off to the nearest dollar. In no case shall the
dues of Educational Support members be
less than one-half (1/2) of the dues for
Active members.
c. Membership dues for persons
eligible for Active membership who are
regularly employed for fifty (50) percent or
less of the normal schedule for a full-time
member (as verified by the local
association) shall be one-half (1/2) of the
Active membership dues of their respective
category. A person eligible for Active
membership shall pay dues commensurate
with the remaining months in the
membership year in which the person joins,
provided (1) the person is joining for the
first time, or (2) the person has not been a
member for the previous two (2)
membership years.
d. Dues of Staff members shall be one-
half (1/2) the dues of Active members.
e. Dues of Associate members shall be
set by the NEA-New Mexico Board of
Directors.
f. Dues of Student members shall be as
set by the NEA-New Mexico Board of
Directors.
g. Dues of Reserve members shall be as
set by the NEA-New Mexico Board of
Directors.
h. Dues of retired members shall be as
set by the NEA-New Mexico Board of
Directors.
2.5 Dues Transmittal and Enforcement
Procedures
a. The local affiliate shall enter into
contracts with NEA-NM governing the
transmittal of dues for NEA, NEA-NM,
Regions and caucuses approved by the
Board of Directors and for NEA-PAC and
NEA-NM EdPAC contributions.
b. A local shall transmit to NEA-New
Mexico all dues, fees and other
contributions on the following schedule:
DATE
PERCENTAGE
October 25 10%
November 25 20%
December 25 30%
January 25 40%
February 25 50%
March 25 60%
April 25 70%
May 25 80%
June 25 90%
July 25 100%
These percentages shall be based upon
the membership counts of the first day of
the month containing the scheduled
payment date. NEA-New Mexico and
individual Local Associations may, on a
case-by-case basis, negotiate a different
schedule for dues transmittal if the schedule
set forth in this section will create an undue
hardship because of the manner in which
dues deducted by school districts are
transmitted to a particular Local
Association. Under no circumstances
should any local drop any members for the
full year after October 6 of the membership
year. Should a local become delinquent in
the above transmittal schedule, the local
affiliate agrees to pay a penalty on the
overdue balance, beginning with the first
day of the month following the scheduled
payment date. The penalty shall be the rate
of simple interest charged to NEA-New
Mexico by NEA. No penalty will be
assessed on the first scheduled date of
October 25. Locals may appeal to the
Board of Directors. In case of an appeal,
Page 56
the penalty will be assessed only on any
amount found not to be in error.
c. The delegates representing a local
which has not transmitted their dues, fees
and other contributions according to the
payment schedule set forth in Bylaw 2.5b
shall not be entitled to recognition or
seating at the Delegate Council which
follows the payment date preceding the
Council .
3. DELEGATE COUNCIL
3.1 Qualification
Any Active, Student or Retired member
in good standing may be elected to the
Delegate Council in their respective
membership categories.
3.2 Allocation of Delegates
a. Allocation of delegate credentials to
local affiliates shall be on the basis of the
Active membership figure of January 15 of
the same calendar year in which the
Delegate Council convenes.
b. Allocation of delegate credentials to
local affiliates shall be based on a ratio of
1:25 Active members or major fraction
thereof. An affiliate local association with
fewer than twenty-five (25) members shall
be entitled to one elected delegate.
c. Allocation of delegate credentials to
the Student NEA shall be based on a ratio
of 1:25 Student NEA-NM members or
major fraction thereof.
d. Allocation of delegates for NEA-NM
Retired members shall be based on the ratio
of 1:100 NEA-NM Retired members of
major fraction thereof
3.3 Elections
a. The local affiliate president shall be
responsible for conducting the election of
delegates in a manner that assures adequate
notice to all eligible voters, open
nominations, and secret ballots to represent
the affiliate and for reporting the names of
the official delegates no later than fifteen
(15) days preceding a Council meeting.
b. The local affiliate shall take all
reasonable steps to assure proportional
ethnic minority representation in its
delegation.
c. Delegates shall be elected for a term
not to exceed three (3) years.
3.4 Meetings
a. At least one meeting of the Council
shall be held each calendar year. The place
and dates shall be determined by the Board
of Directors.
b. Additional meetings may be held:
(1) upon the call of the President with the
approval of a majority of the Board of
Directors, (2) by two-thirds (2/3) vote of
the Board of Directors, or (3) upon petition
to the President by twenty-five (25) percent
of the members of the Council.
c. A majority of the elected and
certified delegates of the Council shall
constitute a quorum. Once a quorum has
been established, the business of the
Association may be conducted until the
agenda has been completed.
3.5 Council Deliberations
a. The President shall provide for the
agenda of the Council meeting; the agenda
shall be devoted solely to the business
affairs of the Association.
b. Only regularly certified delegates
shall be seated on the Council floor; a
separate seating section shall be provided
for visitors.
c. Except with the consent of the
Council, the privileges of debate and vote
shall be restricted to Council delegates.
3.6 Powers and Duties
Delegates to the Council meeting
shall:
a. certify amendments to the
Constitution, and amendments to the
Bylaws establishing dues for the
ballot;
b. nominate and elect in a manner that
assures adequate notice to delegates,
open nominations, and secret ballots
such at-large members to the Board
of Directors as are guaranteed by the
Constitution; and
Page 57
c. elect in a manner that assures
adequate notice to delegates, open
nominations, and secret ballots the
NEA-NM representative to the
Educational Retirement Board.
c. adopt legislative goals and
platform; and
d. consider and vote on NEA-NM
resolutions.
e. consider and vote on NEA-NM
committee recommendations;
f. give final approval to the Association
programs and policies;
g. establish and amend the Standing
Rules.
h. consider and vote on amendments to
the Bylaws, except as restricted in the
Constitution.
i. receive nominations for
offices to be elected by the Council;
j. elect at large members of the
board of directors as required by the
constitution and elect the NEA-New
Mexico member of the Educational
Retirement Board.
4. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
4.1 Powers and Duties of the President
The President shall be the executive
officer of the Association and its policy
leader and shall be accountable to the Board
of Directors. The President shall serve full-
time as president of the NEA-New Mexico.
The President will not serve as an officer of
a local association or as an officer of any
other Union. The President may serve as a
legislator, but not in any other political
elected or appointed full-time office. The
President shall:
a. represent the Association as
spokesperson on matters of policy or
assign, at the President's discretion,
responsibility for such representation;
b. provide for the agenda for the
governing bodies of the Association and the
program for the Delegate Council
meetings;
c. appoint, except as provided in these
Bylaws, all chairpersons and members of
committees, with the advice and consent of
the Board of Directors; such chairpersons
and members to serve at the discretion of
the President, except where a term is fixed
by these Bylaws;
d. serve as member ex-officio on all
committees authorized by the governing
bodies;
e. prepare, with management staff and
the Budget Committee, a budget for
submission to the appropriate policy-
making bodies;
f. review Association policies and
recommend priorities to be considered by
the Board of Directors;
g. chair the Board of Directors
meetings and assist and advise the Board of
Directors;
h. meet with the Vice President of the
Association and/or appropriate staff as
necessary to make decisions between
meetings of the Board of Directors;
i. delegate duties to the officers and
through the Executive Director to the staff
of the Association;
j. perform the duties as stipulated in the
Articles of Incorporation, in the
Constitution, and in these Bylaws and such
other duties as are customarily assumed by
the chief executive officer of an
association;
k. serve as a delegate to the NEA
Representative Assembly and act as chair
of the delegation.
4.2 Powers and Duties of the Vice
President
The Vice President shall:
a. act for the President when the
President is unable to perform the duties of
the office;
b. perform such other duties as are
stipulated by the Constitution, by these
Bylaws, and by the President;
c. serve as a delegate to the NEA
Representative Assembly and act as vice
chair of the delegation; and
Page 58
d. serve as chair of the Budget
Committee and member ex-officio of all
other committees authorized by the
governing bodies.
4.3 Salaries of Executive Officers
The salary of the President shall be
determined by the Board of Directors.
4.4 Recall
a. If recall of the President or of both
executive officers of the Association has
been proposed by the Board of Directors,
the Board shall select a temporary
chairperson to preside until the proceedings
are resolved. If the Vice President alone is
named in the proceeding, the President may
continue to preside.
b. The Board of Directors shall certify
the validity of recall petitions from Council
delegates or from the ACTIVE
membership.
c. The Board of Directors shall direct
the Executive Director to convene the
Review Board within fifteen (15) days of
validation.
d. If the Review Board sustains the
charge by two-thirds (2/3) vote, the Board
of Directors shall arrange for a recall vote
by the ACTIVE membership within thirty
(30) days of the decision of the Review
Board.
l. The ballot shall have printed two
choices: "This officer shall be
recalled", and, "This officer shall not
be recalled".
2. Voting shall be in a manner that
assures adequate notice to all eligible
voters and secret ballots and shall
follow regular election procedures as
outlined in Standing Rules.
e. The Board of Directors shall certify
the election results. Upon the certification
that the vote of the membership has
sustained the recall, the office immediately
becomes vacant.
f. The Board of Directors shall report
the results of the election to local presidents
not later than twenty (20) days from the
time the ballots are sent.
5. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
5.1 Composition
The Board of Directors of the
Association shall be constituted on the
basis of one-person-one-vote and shall
consist of:
a. the President who shall be the
chairperson;
b. the Vice President;
c. one member elected by the Active
membership of each Board Election
District within each Region for each seven
hundred (700) Active members or major
fraction thereof’, within the Board Election
District within each Region; such directors
shall, for the purposes of these bylaws be
identified as Region or Regional Directors;
d. one member elected by the Student
NEA for each seven hundred (700)
members or major fraction thereof;
e. such at-large members as may be
guaranteed by the Constitution;
f. the NEA Director for New Mexico;
and
g. the Alternate NEA Director for New
Mexico.
5.2 Election of Region Directors
a. Election of NEA-NM Directors shall
be governed by procedures established in
the NEA-NM Standing Rules.
b. The number of Directors to which
each Board Election District is entitled
shall be determined by final membership
for the previous membership year. In the
event that the number of members
mandates a reduction or increase in the
number of Board of Directors members for
a region, the procedure for such reduction
or increase shall be established by the
Board of Directors in compliance with the
NEA-NM Bylaws. The reduction or
increase will become effective July 15
following the next regularly scheduled
election.
5.3 Alternate NEA-New Mexico
Directors
a. Each Region Council shall appoint
Alternate Region Directors for each Board
Election District who shall represent the
Page 59
Board Election District on the NEA-New
Mexico Board of Directors in the event of a
Region Director’s inability to execute
his/her duties for a temporary period or, in
the case of a vacancy, until the next regular
NEA-New Mexico election. The vacancy
created when the Alternate Region Director
serves as a Director may be filled by
appointment of the Region Council.
b. Alternate(s) for the elected
member(s) of the board of directors
representing retired members shall be
elected through the internal elections
conducted by NEA-NM Retired in the same
cycle as NEA-NM retired positions come
up for election.
c. The NEA-New Mexico Board of
Directors shall appoint Alternate Directors
for At-Large Members who shall represent
that membership in the event of an At-
Large Director's inability to execute his/her
duties for a temporary period or, in the case
of a vacancy, until the next Delegate
Council Meeting.
5.4 Vacancies
a. When a vacancy in the office of
Regional Director or Retired Director
occurs through death, resignation, recall,
change in employment, change in region
residency, or through other
disqualification, the replacement for the
unexpired term shall be the Alternate
Director until the next regular NEA-New
Mexico election. The vacancy created
when the Alternate Region Director serves
as a Director may be filled by appointment
of the Region Council.
b. When a vacancy in the office of an
at-large Director occurs through death,
resignation, recall, change in employment
or through other disqualification, the
replacement for the unexpired term shall be
appointed by the Board of Directors until
the next Delegate Council meeting.
5.5 Membership Restriction
a. A Director shall immediately
relinquish the position held on the Board
when such director ceases to be employed
in the category represented.
b. When a Director has been absent
without presentation of valid reason for two
(2) meetings in a year, the Board of
Directors may, by majority vote, declare
the position vacant.
5.6 Powers and Duties
The Board of Directors shall:
a. be the body to whom the executive
officers and the Executive Director shall be
accountable;
b. implement all orders and resolutions
of the Council and may devise and put into
operation other regulations not inconsistent
with the objectives of the Association, or
the orders and resolutions of the Council;
c. employ and annually evaluate the
Executive Director;
d. determine the time and place of the
Council meetings and, in the event of an
emergency, shall have the power to call or
postpone a Council meeting by a two-thirds
(2/3) vote;
e. establish procedures and/or
requirements for affiliation consistent with
the standards as set forth in the Bylaws;
f. receive all reports of the Executive
Director and of committees, and shall
transmit with its recommendations such
reports as may be appropriate to the
Delegate Council;
g. act on committee appointments as
submitted by the President;
h. keep a full record of its proceedings
and make provision for appropriate
publication of records;
i. prepare its common policies in
written form;
j. approve the auditor for the
Association's financial affairs.
k. establish dues for NEA-New Mexico
retired, student, and reserve members.
l. adopt and approve changes in the
Association Budget. However, any
meeting of the Delegate Council may, by a
2/3 vote of the delegates, require the Board
to amend the budget in accordance with the
directives of the Council.
5.7 Recall
Page 60
Directors or Alternate Directors of the
Association may be recalled for violation of
the Code of Ethics of the Education
Profession, for misfeasance, for
malfeasance, or for nonfeasance in office.
a. Recall proceeding against a Director
or Alternate Director shall be initiated by
written petition submitted to the Board of
Directors by at least:
(1) twenty-five (25) percent of the
Active membership in the Region
represented by the Director or
Alternate Director in question, or
(2) fifty (50) percent of the local
presidents of the Region represented
by the Director or Alternate Director
in question.
b. The Board of Directors (excluding
the Director involved) shall certify the
validity of recall petitions from Council
Delegates or from the membership.
c. The Board of Directors shall direct
the Executive Director to convene the
Review Board to hear recall cases within
fifteen (15) days of validation of recall
procedure used.
d. If the Review Board sustains the
charge by two-thirds (2/3) vote, the Board
of Directors shall arrange for a recall vote
by the ACTIVE membership within thirty
(30) days of the decision of the Review
Board. Ballots will be sent to ACTIVE
members in the affected Region.
(1) The ballot shall have printed two
choices: "This Director shall be
recalled", and, "This Director shall
not be recalled".
(2) Voting shall be in a manner that
assures adequate notice to all eligible
voters and secret ballots and shall
follow regular election procedures as
outlined by Standing Rule 6.
e. The Board of Directors shall certify
the election. The Director involved may
not participate in the certification of recall
procedures.
f. The Board of Directors shall report
the results of the election to local presidents
not later than twenty (20) days from the
time the ballots are sent.
g. At-large Directors may be recalled by
the same method(s) set forth in the
Constitution and Bylaws for the recall of
executive officers.
5.8 Change in Region or Board Election
District Composition
If the Region or Board Election District
Configuration of locals changes during the
term of office of an elected board member,
that board member will continue to serve
until the expiration of the term to which
elected if the new Region when taken as a
whole still qualifies for the board position.
The board member will continue to serve
even if from a local within the Region but
not within the Board Election District;
however, upon the expiration of the term or
other relinquishment of the board position
by the incumbent, the vacancy must be
filled from the appropriate region or Board
Election District. If the Region is not
entitled by virtue of membership to the
Board position it will be vacated and
reduced as set forth in Bylaw 5.2
6. REVIEW BOARD
6.1 Composition and Selection
The Review Board shall be composed of
ten (10) local affiliate presidents appointed
by the President from a list drawn by lot
until ten (10) presidents who agree to serve
are selected. Members of the Review
Board shall serve a one (1) year term
beginning September 1. Local presidents
who are also officers or members of the
Board of Directors of NEA-New Mexico
are disqualified.
a. Review Board members excluded
from deliberations in a particular case shall
be:
1. The president of a local involved in
the dispute.
2. An individual involved in the
dispute.
3. Local presidents from the Region
seeking recall of its Board of
Directors member.
Page 61
b. Five (5) alternates shall be selected
by the same procedures as those outlined
above for Review Board members.
c. Review Board members who are
unable to serve for a particular case will be
replaced by alternates when possible.
d. Six (6) members or alternates of the
Review Board, qualified to deliberate a
particular case, will constitute a quorum of
the Board.
e. The Executive Director shall serve as
staff consultant to the Review Board. In the
event the Executive Director is the subject
of the dispute, the President in consultation
with the Executive Director shall assign
another staff consultant to the Board.
6.2 Hearing Procedures
a. From among its members, the
Review Board shall elect a chairperson for
the hearing.
b. Both the member/affiliate/group and
the Association shall have the right to
appear at the hearing, to present witnesses
and other evidence, to cross-examine
witnesses and to make brief opening and
closing arguments.
c. If the member/affiliate/group or the
Association does not appear at the hearing,
the Review Board may proceed with the
hearing and render its decision.
d. A hearing of the Review Board shall
be open except that by request of either
party or by majority vote of its members,
the Review Board may choose to restrict
attendance to persons necessary to the
hearing.
6.3 Deliberations and Decision
a. Immediately following the close of
the hearing, the Review Board will begin its
deliberation and continue until a decision is
reached.
b. The findings and decision of the
Review Board shall be communicated to all
parties concerned in the dispute within
sixty (60) days of the filing of the appeal
with the Executive Director.
c. In lieu of the appeal to the Review
Board, the Association or individual or
affiliate bringing the appeal shall have the
right to request binding arbitration through
the American Arbitration Association or
another mutually acceptable arbitration
procedure. The cost of arbitration shall be
paid equally by both parties to the dispute.
The Review Board or arbitrator’s decision
shall be final.
d. If a recall is sustained by a two-thirds
(2/3) vote of the Review Board, the
appropriate procedure outlined in the
Constitution (Article IV., Section 5.b.) or
the Bylaws 4.4 or 5.7 shall be followed.
7. COMMITTEES
7.1 Standing Committees of the
Association shall be:
a. Committee on Constitution, Bylaws
and Rules
(1) Committee on Constitution, Bylaws
and Rules will have six (6) members,
one from each Region. Additional
members shall be appointed to ensure
ethnic-minority representation.
(2) Members may not serve more than
two (2) consecutive three-year terms.
b. Resolutions
(1) This committee shall consist of at
least one member from each Region
and no more than three (3) from any
single Region.
(2) Members may not serve more than
two (2) consecutive three-year terms.
c. Budget
(1) There shall be a Budget Committee
of at least six (6) members, including
one from each Region.
(2) The Budget Committee shall serve at
the discretion of the President.
d. Elections
An Elections Committee of at least
five (5) members shall be appointed by the
NEA-New Mexico President with the
approval of the Board of Directors for a
term of one (1) year.
7.2 Program Committees
The Board of Directors shall establish
and discontinue such program committees
as it deems necessary. Each program
committee shall consist of at least one
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member from each Region and no more
than three (3) from any single Region.
7.3 Other Committees and Task Forces
With the approval of the Board of
Directors, the President shall appoint
members to necessary task forces and other
committees as the need arises.
7.4 Membership
a. Nominations and Appointments
(1) The President of the Association
shall make Committee appointments
from lists of at least three nominees
for each position from each Region
Council. Additional minority
nominees shall be proposed by the
recognized Ethnic Minority special
interest groups. Appointments
necessary to insure ethnic minority
representation shall be made from
these lists. The Board of Directors
shall rule on all appointments.
(2) These provisions do not apply to the
Budget Committee.
b. SNEA-New Mexico committee
members must hold membership in SNEA-
New Mexico where applicable.
c. No member shall serve on more than
one Association Program Committee. Ex-
officio members are excluded from this
provision. No member of the Board of
Directors shall serve as a member of an
Association Standing Committee. This
shall not apply to the Budget or Election
Committee.
d. Unexcused absence of a program
committee member from two (2)
consecutive committee meetings and/or
two (2) consecutive Region Council
meetings shall constitute a resignation.
e. Unexcused absence of a standing
committee member from two (2)
consecutive committee meetings and/or
two (2) consecutive Regional Program
Coordinating Council meetings shall
constitute a resignation.
f. At least seventy-five (75) percent of
the membership of each committee must be
non- supervisory members.
g. There shall be a minimum of twenty
(20) percent ethnic minority representation
on each committee.
7.5 Terms
a. Following the initial necessary
provisions for staggered terms of office,
each Program Committee member shall
serve for a term of three years, unless the
Board of Directors discontinues the
committee.
b. Members of Association Program
Committees are limited to two (2)
consecutive terms.
7.6 Accountability
a. Association Committees shall be
accountable to the President, the Board of
Directors, and the Delegate Council when
in session.
b. Each Committee chairperson shall
submit periodic reports to the President and
to the Board.
7.7 Committee Appointments,
Qualifications and Vacancies
a. Appointments shall be made on the
basis of individual expertise and ability to
make substantial contribution in the
specific area of concern. Candidates for
committees shall be NEA-NM Active or
Retired members and shall be
recommended by the Region Council of
each Region and by ethnic minority special
interest groups. Appointments to all
committees shall be as provided in these
Bylaws.
b. Vacancies shall be filled from the lists
of nominees from each Region.
c. Additional appointments may be
made on the basis of individual expertise
and/or ability to make substantial
contribution to a committee’s work. Such
additional appointments shall be for a term
of one year beginning July 15 of the year of
the appointment as approved by the Board
of Directors.
d. Emergency appointments may be
made that begin immediately upon action
by the Board of Directors and end on the
next July 14.
7.8 Rules
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a. The President of the Association
shall appoint the chairperson for each of the
committees except the Budget Committee.
b. Each Committee shall establish its
own rules and upon their approval by the
Board of Directors of the Association, they
have the effect of being rules of the
Association; provided there is no conflict
with the Constitution, Bylaws or Articles of
Incorporation of the Association.
8. EDUCATION POLITICAL
ACTION COMMITTEE (EdPAC)
8.1 Composition
The EdPAC Committee is composed of:
a. The President who shall be the Chair;
b. The Vice President; and
c. One member for each seven hundred
(700) ACTIVE members or major fraction
thereof, within each Board Election District
within each Region. Each member shall be
elected in a manner that assures adequate
notice to all eligible voters and secret
ballots by the ACTIVE members of the
Region for a term of three years. Such
member having served two consecutive
terms would be ineligible to hold that office
until one full term has intervened.
d. Two members representing NEA-
New Mexico retired members. These
members shall be nominated and elected in
a manner that assures adequate notice to all
eligible voters and secret ballots by the
unified retired membership of NEA-New
Mexico for a term of three years. Such
members having served two consecutive
terms would be ineligible to hold that office
until one full term has intervened.
8.2 Powers and Duties
The EdPAC shall coordinate the
political activities of the Association under
the direction of the Board of Directors and
the Delegate Council and shall receive
funds as described in Section 8.4. The
EdPAC shall authorize a member of the
NEA-New Mexico staff to act as treasurer
of EdPAC funds.
8.3 Appointment of Alternate EdPAC
member
a. Each Region Council shall appoint an
Alternate EdPAC member from each Board
Election District within each region who
shall represent the Region on the NEA-
New Mexico EdPAC Committee in the
event of that Board Election District’s
EdPAC member’s inability to execute
his/her duties for a temporary period or, in
the case of a vacancy, until the next regular
NEA-New Mexico election.
b. Alternate(s) for the elected EdPAC
member(s) representing retired members
shall be elected through the internal
elections conducted by NEA-NM Retired
in the same cycle as NEA-NM retired
positions come up for election.
8.4 EdPAC Funds
a. EdPAC funds shall consist of
voluntary contributions from members or
other interested parties. No dues collected
by any affiliate may be used for these
purposes. However, EdPAC funds may be
collected by affiliates through the
procedures used to collect dues in manners
authorized by NEA-New Mexico or local
governing documents.
b. All funds used to address partisan
political issues, including contributions to
candidates for public office, contributions
to political parties and other partisan
organizations, and funds expended on
behalf of candidates for public office shall
be from funds collected as described in
Section a.
c. Contributions to EdPAC shall be
segregated in an interest-bearing checking
account separate from the general funds of
NEA-New Mexico. Such account shall be
deposited in a bank that does not hold other
association accounts.
d. Expenditures from EdPAC funds,
consistent with the actions of the EdPAC,
shall be authorized by the chair upon
consultation with appropriate staff.
e. In addition to any other voluntary
contributions authorized, the amount of
fifteen dollars (15) per membership year
shall be annually collected from each active
licensed professional member and ten
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dollars (10) per year from each active
Educational Support Professional member
in the same manner as dues are collected.
This amount shall be considered a
voluntary contribution unless the member
specifically requests its refund on a form
approved by the Association. Such form
shall be made available to the membership
at least twice annually in an all member
publication. Additionally, information
informing the member that this is a
voluntary contribution shall be printed on
annual membership forms. Should a
member request a refund of the amount, the
entire amount shall be refunded to the
member by check within thirty (30) days
from the date the Association receives the
request.
8.5 Vacancies
When a vacancy in the office of an
EdPAC member occurs through death,
resignation, recall, change in employment,
change in region residency, or through
other disqualification, the replacement for
the unexpired term shall be the Region’s
Alternate EdPAC member from the Region
Board Election District until the next
regular NEA-New Mexico election.
9. REGIONS
9.1 Organizations
The Board of Directors of NEA-NM is
hereby authorized to create Regions of the
Association and Board Election Districts
within each Region. The Board of Directors
of NEA-NM may revise the boundaries of
said Regions and Board Election Districts.
a. A Region shall be defined as the
organizational structure within a given
geographical region.
b. A Board Election District shall be
defined as locals within a region having
enough active members for one or more
Region Directors as determined by the
Board of Directors. Active members
residing with the geographical boundaries
of such districts who have no available
local association shall also be members of
the Board Election District and the Region.
c. The membership of said Region shall
consist of the Active members of the
affiliated local association where
applicable within the boundaries of the
respective Regions, retired members of
NEA-New Mexico who belong to affiliated
local associations within the region or who
reside within the geographical boundaries
of said region, and other NEA-New Mexico
members who have no local association
available for membership
9.2 Region Council Composition
Each Region Council shall consist of:
a. one representative of each local
within the Region;
b. the Region Representatives on the
NEA-New Mexico Standing and Program
Committees;
c. the NEA-NM Directors for the
Region; and
d. such other members as provided in
the Region guidelines.
9.3 Region Council Functions
Each Region Council shall:
a. meet and confer on items of mutual
concern to local associations within
Regions;
b. select educators to receive Hall of
Fame awards from the Region and, at the
option of the Region, nominate recipients
for the NEA-New Mexico Hall of Fame
and Special Recognition Awards;
c. have the authority to levy a regional
assessment to defray expenses within the
Region; the resultant budget shall require
approval of the NEA-New Mexico Board
of Directors;
d. establish the guidelines under which
it will operate; such guidelines shall be
subject to the approval of the NEA-New
Mexico Board of Directors and shall
include the procedures for the selection of
its chairperson and a requirement that
region meetings not be held on the same
date as NEA-New Mexico Board of
Directors’ meetings.
Page 65
e. transmit to NEA-New Mexico lists
of at least three (3) Region nominees for
NEA-New Mexico committee
appointments by July 15th of each year.
Failure to submit at least three (3) nominees
for a committee position will result in a
presidential appointment from the Region
membership.
10. STANDARDS FOR AFFILIATES
a. The Association shall not affiliate a
local association unless it meets the
following minimum standards.
1. Each affiliate shall apply the
one-person-one-vote principle for
representation on its governing bodies
except that the affiliate, to the extent
permitted by law, shall guarantee ethnic-
minority representation at least
proportionate to its ethnic-minority
membership. Where an all-inclusive
affiliate exists, it shall provide
proportionate representation between its
non-supervisor members and its
supervisor members.
2. Each affiliate shall conduct all
elections in a manner that assures
adequate notice to all eligible voters,
open nominations, and secret ballots.
The president of the local affiliate shall
make available information concerning
issues and candidates. Each affiliate
president shall be responsible for
following election procedures and
timelines.
3. Each affiliate shall have the
same membership year as that of the
Association.
4. Each affiliate has the right to
determine whether its Active class
includes both persons engaged in
professional educational work and
educational support positions. All
members so enrolled shall be granted
full rights of participation and shall be
required to be members of the
Association and NEA where eligible.
5. Each affiliate shall guarantee
that no member of said affiliate may be
censured, suspended, or expelled
without a due process hearing, which
shall include an appropriate appellate
procedure.
6. Each affiliate shall participate
in Association programs and shall be
responsible for the implementation of
such programs at the appropriate level.
7. Each affiliate shall establish
and maintain a local dues level to ensure
adequate local funding to carry out its
representation, member services and
other local responsibilities. (The
recommended level of local dues is at
least $25.00 per Active member.) The
affiliate shall file such reports as may be
required by the Association or by state
and federal regulations. Local affiliates
with 50 or fewer active members with
payroll deduction for dues shall require
that such dues be dispersed to NEA-
New Mexico from the school district.
NEA-New Mexico will remit local dues
to the local treasurer or designee and
will disperse dues to NEA, Region
Councils, and NEA-New Mexico.
8. Each affiliate shall file such
reports as may be required by the
Association or by state and federal
regulations.
b. If the Board of Directors of the
Association determines that a local affiliate
is not in compliance with the standards for
affiliation set forth in Section (a) above or
otherwise is acting in a manner that is
contrary to the goals and objectives of the
Association, it may, by a two-thirds (2/3)
vote, adopt an Intervention Program in
order to deal with the situation. If the local
affiliate fails to cooperate with the
Association in implementing the
Intervention Program, the Association may
implement said Program without the
approval of the local affiliate. The Board
of Directors of the Association, by a two-
thirds (2/3) vote, may take appropriate
action against the local affiliate, including,
without limitation, censure, suspension, or
disaffiliation.
11. STAFF
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11.1 Staff Employees
The Board of Directors shall employ a
staff who shall be responsible for
implementing the policies and goals of the
Association. The employed staff shall
include a management staff that will be
responsible for the supervision and
direction of all other employees.
11.2 Staff: Principles
The following principles shall govern
employment and functions of staff as
agents of the Association:
a. local, state, national, and Student
NEA staff shall be eligible only for Staff
membership and shall not hold elective or
appointive positions at any level;
b. the Association shall be an equal
opportunity employer;
c. the Association shall recognize the
right of its employees to organize for the
purpose of collective bargaining.
12. GENERAL FINANCE
12.1 Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the Association shall
be September 1 through August 31.
12.2 Budget
a. A line-item budget shall be designed
a. A line-item budget shall be designed
to achieve the goals and objectives of the
Association.
b. The President, with the Executive
Director, and the Committee on Budget,
shall prepare the proposed budget for
presentation to the Board of Directors at
least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting at
which it is to be adopted. After reviewing
and approving the budget, the Board shall
direct its printing. The budget, including a
reconciliation of the previous year’s budget
with actual expenditures, shall then be
transmitted to the presidents of local
affiliates. The Board of Directors shall
present the adopted budget to the Delegate
Council at its meeting following adoption
of the budget. Any changes adopted
pursuant to Bylaw 5.6 shall be prospective
in nature and change the unencumbered
portions of the budget remaining in the
fiscal year.
13. OPEN MEETINGS
13.1 Open Meetings
All meetings of all governance bodies
of the Association shall be open to
members of NEA-New Mexico, within the
limitations of the space provided by the
facilities in which the meetings are held.
13.2 Exceptions
Closed executive sessions may be called
for the specific exceptions listed in this
section when voted upon by a majority vote
of the members of a governing body.
Closed executive sessions of governing
bodies of NEA-New Mexico may be called
to discuss:
a. the evaluation of the job performance
of a specific staff member, provided that
the staff member does not request an open
meeting;
b. collective bargaining negotiations
with staff;
c. specific legal actions in which the
governing body or NEA-New Mexico is
a participant;
d. appeals at the request of either party
or the governing body.
13.3 Executive Sessions shall be for the
purpose of discussion only. Votes taken in
executive session may be of a procedural
nature only. All decisions made by
governing bodies must be affirmed by vote
in open session.
13.4 Closed to Non-Members
Any meeting of NEA-New Mexico
governing bodies may be closed to the
general public or the press for any reason.
14. DEFINITIONS
14.1 Definitions of Terms
As used in the Articles of Incorporation,
the Constitution, these Bylaws, and the
Standing Rules, the Association adopts and
adheres to the following definitions of
terms:
a. Active members: Active shall mean
membership with governance rights in the
local affiliate, where eligible, National
Education Association of New Mexico and
Page 67
National Education Association of the
United States.
b. Local Affiliate: local affiliate shall
mean the associations within the state
which meet at least the minimum standards
of affiliation and have been affiliated by
action of the Board of Directors.
c. Region: region shall mean Regional
Program Delivery Unit.
d. Classroom Teacher: classroom
teacher shall mean any person who is
certified, where required, and a major part
of whose time is spent in direct contact with
students or who performs allied work
which results in placement of the person on
a local salary schedule for teachers.
e. Education Position: education
position shall mean the following two
categories:
(1) non-supervisors, which shall include
NEA-New Mexico Active and
Educational Support members who
are not supervisors;
(2) other, which shall include NEA-New
Mexico Active and Educational
Support members who are
supervisors, and NEA-New Mexico
Retired Annual and Life members.
f. Supervisor and Administrator:
supervisor and administrator shall mean
any person who has continuing authority to
hire, transfer, discipline, dismiss, or
otherwise direct employees or to
effectively recommend any of the aforesaid
actions.
g. Ex-Officio: ex-officio shall mean by
virtue of office. This designation shall
carry with it the right to vote except as
otherwise provided.
h. Ethnic Minority: ethnic minority
shall mean those persons designated as
ethnic minority by statistics published by
the United States Bureau of the Census.
This designation shall specifically include
Black, Hispanic;, Asian American, and
American Indian/Alaska Native.
i. In Proportion to Their Membership:
For election of at-large Board of Directors
members "in proportion to their
membership in the Association" shall mean
the same proportion as required for election
of Region Board of Directors members.
j. Limited to: When applied to terms of
office, shall mean limited to consecutive
terms of the specified length and number.
k. Consecutive: When applied to
terms of office, shall define the election
eligibility of a member who has been
elected to the limit of consecutive terms as
eligible for election or appointment to that
office after a length of time equal to the
term of office to which the member’s
successor was elected or appointed.
15. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
15.1 Robert's Rules of Order Newly
Revised
The most recent edition of ROBERT'S
RULES OF ORDER NEWLY REVISED
shall be the authority in all matters of
procedure at the NEA-New Mexico
Delegate Council and in the election of
NEA Directors and delegates to the NEA
Representative Assembly, except as
otherwise specified in the Articles of
Incorporation, the Constitution, these
Bylaws, or the Standing Rules.
16. DISSOLUTION
Upon dissolution of NEA-New Mexico,
all assets of the corporation shall be
transferred to the National Education
Association having as its principle place of
business the City of Washington, DC,
provided that said National Education
Association also agrees and in fact does
assume the outstanding liabilities and
obligations of NEA-New Mexico at the
time of its dissolution.
Page 68
STANDING RULES
of the
NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION OF NEW MEXICO
RULE 1. CREDENTIALS
COMMITTEE
A. Composition
The President shall appoint a
chairperson and five (5) members of the
Credentials Committee to serve at the
pleasure of the President. The
appointments shall be with the advice and
consent of the Board of Directors.
B. Duties
The Committee shall be responsible for
the supervision of the accreditation and
registration of delegates to the Delegate
Council.
The chairperson of the Credentials
Committee shall give a report at the
meeting of the Delegate Council. The
report shall include information concerning
compliance with all requirements required
of delegations. Non-compliance by
delegations will be specifically noted and
reported.
The seating of a delegate, or delegates,
may be challenged by means of a motion to
amend such report. The action of the
Delegate Council, which has jurisdiction
over the seating of its delegates, shall be
final.
RULE 2. CERTIFICATION OF
DELEGATES
A. Delegate Allocations
The Executive Director shall notify local
affiliates and other qualified organizations,
of the number of delegates to which they
are entitled no later than February 1.
B. Verification of Eligibility
The president of each local affiliate shall
forward to the Association by a certificate
of eligibility for each local delegate and
alternate and the term for which the
delegates were elected on a form provided
by the NEA-NM as provided for in the
Bylaws.
Upon verification of eligibility, the
Executive Director shall forward such
material as to allow the delegates
participation at the Delegate Council
meeting.
RULE 3. REGISTRATION
A. Registration materials shall be sent to
local affiliates prior to the time of the
Delegate Council.
B. Delegates, alternate delegates, non-
delegate members, and guests shall be
registered at the Delegate Council meeting.
C. Alternate delegates filling vacancies
shall present at registration the permanent
credential originally sent to the delegate the
alternate is replacing and a signed
statement from the president of the affiliate.
D. Registration for the Delegate Council
shall be under the supervision of the
Credentials Committee. Appeals shall be
made to the same committee.
RULE 4. LOCAL AFFILIATES
DELEGATION
A. Each affiliate delegation shall have a
chairperson.
B. No local affiliate delegation shall vote
by unit rule in the Delegate Council. Each
individual delegate shall have one (1) vote.
C. If a roll call of local delegations is made
in the Delegate Council, the chairperson of
each local delegation shall be responsible
for taking an accurate poll of delegates
present at the time of the vote and for
transmitting a report to the chair.
D. The chairperson and members of each
delegation shall assume responsibility for
permitting only certified delegates and
designated staff to sit in the delegate
section.
RULE 5. ORDER OF BUSINESS AND
DEBATE
A. The adoption of the order of business of
the Delegate Council shall be the first item
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of business at the first business meeting of
the Council.
B. The Council sessions of the Delegate
Council shall be conducted in accordance
with provisions of the NEA-NM
Constitution, Bylaws, and the Standing
Rules. Matters not specifically governed in
these documents shall be governed by
Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised.
C. There shall be an official
parliamentarian, to whom questions may be
directed only through the presiding officer.
If deemed advisable by the presiding
officer, a question may be referred to the
Committee on Constitution, Bylaws, and
Rules for an advisory interpretation. The
presiding officer rules; the parliamentarian
and Committee on Constitution, Bylaws,
and Rules may advise.
D. Any delegate who is recognized by the
chair shall give her/his name and local
affiliate, and shall indicate whether
speaking as an individual or as a
spokesperson for the local delegation
before speaking to a point under discussion.
No member shall speak and/or be
recognized in debate more than twice to the
same question during the same meeting,
nor longer than three (3) minutes at one
time, unless permission is granted by
majority vote of the Delegate Council.
E. A member may yield the microphone or
speaking time to another delegate only for
the unused portion of her/his allotted time.
F. No member speaking on a question may
move the previous question.
G. A motion to move the previous question
shall apply to no more than the single
question immediately before the Delegate
Council.
H. The motion to amend by substitution
shall be treated as the motion to amend.
I. A roll call vote (the counting of delegates
by local delegations) shall be taken only
after approval, by a standing vote, of one-
third (1/3) of the delegates present. The
doors shall be closed while a count is being
taken. Supervision and counting of roll call
votes shall be in charge of the Committee
on Constitution, Bylaws, and Rules.
J. New business relating to substantive
policies or programs for the Association
shall be specific in nature and terminal in
application. New business items must be
submitted in writing by noon of the
Delegate Council meeting.
K. A copy of the motion or amendment
shall be given in writing to the chair on the
form provided.
L. Any person, chairperson, or member
who is presenting a committee report shall
not speak more than five (5) minutes unless
permission is granted by majority vote of
the Delegate Council.
RULE 6. PROCEDURES FOR
SUBMITTING BUDGET
AMENDMENTS
A. The adoption of the budget shall be by
vote of the Delegate Council after
consideration of all new business items.
B. The Budget Committee shall hold at
least one (1) open hearing on the proposed
budget at a time and place to be announced
in the printed program.
C. Amendments to the budget shall be
submitted in writing with an economic
impact statement and reconciliation
changes in all areas of the budget. A form
for amendments shall be available from the
platform at the open hearing. Such forms
shall be completed and returned to the chair
of the Budget Committee before the close
of the open hearing.
RULE 7. RESOLUTIONS
COMMITTEE AND PROCEDURE
A. Duties
The Resolutions Committee shall
prepare and present to the Delegate Council
proposed resolutions for adoption. They
shall be printed and made available to
delegates before action is scheduled
thereon by the Delegate Council. The form
and text of each resolution shall be
approved by the majority vote of the
Resolutions Committee, before
presentation to the Delegate Council;
provided, however, that a minority report
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may be presented to the Delegate Council
upon a one-third (1/3) favorable vote of the
total Resolutions Committee's eligible
voters.
Such minority report shall be printed
with the majority report and shall be
presented by the chairperson of the
Resolutions Committee concurrently with
the majority report. The chairperson of the
Resolutions Committee shall present the
report of the committee, together with any
minority report, to the Delegate Council for
consideration at the time and place
designated in the agenda.
B. Open Hearing
The committee shall hold at least one (1)
open hearing on proposed resolutions at a
time and place to be announced in the
printed program.
C. Procedure for Submitting
Resolutions
Resolutions from delegates or members
designated for consideration by the
Resolutions Committee shall be submitted
to the Executive Director or the chairperson
or members of the Resolutions Committee
not later than ninety (90) days prior to the
Delegate Council meeting.
After the deadline, all new Resolutions
to be submitted from the floor for
consideration must have been presented at
the open hearings with sufficient copies to
be presented to all delegates at the Delegate
Council meeting.
All Resolutions adopted by the NEA-
NM Delegate Council shall be accepted and
publicized as official NEA-NM
resolutions.
Resolutions adopted by the Delegate
Council shall continue in force without
further action in succeeding years. At any
council session, at the time of the
Resolutions Committee report, a resolution
may be designated for action by the
Delegate Council or the Resolutions
Committee.
Such Resolutions shall be submitted to
the Delegate Council by number. If there is
no objection, they will be considered for
adoption en masse together with all other
Resolutions to which there are no specific
objections. Resolutions objected to when
introduced by number will be set aside to
be considered individually.
RULE 8. AMENDMENTS
A. Constitution and Bylaws
1. Constitution: Proposed
amendments to the Constitution shall
be submitted to the Committee on
Constitution, Bylaws, and Rules in
writing and in accordance with
Article VII of the Constitution.
2. Editing: Amendments to the
Constitution and Bylaws shall be
revised and, if necessary, edited by
the Committee on Constitution,
Bylaws, and Rules.
The editing responsibilities of this
committee shall include (a)
combining two or more amendments
of a similar intent into a single
amendment, if the final amendment is
agreed to by the contact person for
each group making the original
amendments involved; (b) printing
identical amendments as a single
amendment with the contact persons
of each listed with the amendments;
and (c) dividing an amendment at the
discretion of the Committee and with
the consent of the contact person to
enable the component parts of an
amendment to be voted upon
independently of each other.
3. Titles on Ballot: Titles of
amendments to both the Constitution
and Bylaws appearing on the printed
ballot shall summarize the intent of
the amendment, including the
significance of the deletions as well
as the changes and/or additions. This
material shall be composed by the
Committee on Constitution, Bylaws,
and Rules.
B. Standing Rules
1. Submission. Amendments to the
Standing Rules may be proposed to
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the Delegate Council by one or more
of the following methods:
(a) By petition signed by at least
twenty-five (25) certified
delegates and submitted to the
Committee on Constitution,
Bylaws, and Rules for
presentation to the Delegate
Council.
(b) By vote of a representative body
of a local affiliate. Proposals shall
then be submitted to the
Committee on Constitution,
Bylaws, and Rules for
presentation to the Delegate
Council.
(c) By majority vote of the NEA-New
Mexico Board of Directors and
submitted to the Committee on
Constitution, Bylaws, and Rules
for presentation to the Delegate
Council.
(d) By a majority vote of the
Committee on Constitution,
Bylaws, and Rules.
2. Time for Submission and Notice
(a) A proposed amendment to the
Standing Rules shall be presented
in writing to the Committee on
Constitution, Bylaws, and Rules,
postmarked no later than fifty (50)
days preceding the Delegate
Council.
(b) The text of the proposed
amendment shall be printed in a
delegate handbook.
(c) The Standing Rules may then be
amended by the Delegate Council
by a majority vote of the delegates
present and voting, by voice vote.
3. Suspension of a Standing Rule
By a motion from the floor, a
Standing Rule may be suspended or
amended without notice by a two-
thirds (2/3) vote of those present and
voting.
RULE 9. ELECTIONS COMMITTEE
AND PROCEDURES
A. Composition of Committee
An Elections Committee of at least five
(5) members shall be appointed by the
NEA-New Mexico President with the
approval of the Board of Directors for a
term of one (1) year.
B. Duties
The Committee shall be responsible for
conducting elections. The Elections
Committee shall develop procedures for
the conduct of all elections in a manner
that assures adequate notice to all
eligible voters, open nominations, and
secret ballots.
C. Candidates
1. Declaration of candidacies. The
declaration of candidacy for the offices
of NEA-New Mexico President, Vice
President, Region Members of the NEA-
New Mexico Board of Directors, Region
EdPAC Members, EdPAC member
representing NEA-NM retired members,
Retired Member(s) of the NEA-New
Mexico Board of Directors, Student
Member of the NEA-New Mexico
Board of Directors, NEA Director,
Alternate NEA Director, and EdPAC
must be received in the NEA-New
Mexico office no later than the close of
business on October 20 of the calendar
year preceding the calendar year of the
election; and for the NEA-New Mexico
Educational Retirement Board member
no later than the close of such
nominations at the Delegate Council.
Nominations for State NEA
Representative Delegates, Cluster NEA
Representative Delegates, Student NEA
Representative Delegates, and Retired
NEA Representative Delegates must be
received no later than the close of such
nominations at the Annual Delegate
Council of the calendar year preceding
the calendar year of the election.
A member may declare candidacy for at-
large Board of Directors members as
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necessary before the close of
nominations at the Delegate Council.
2. NEA-New Mexico will provide each
candidate with a directory of local
presidents, NEA-New Mexico
committee members, and Board of
Director members from the area to be
represented by that position. Individual
member information is proprietary and
will not be provided to candidates
except as provided in #3 below.
Candidates, other than those described
in paragraph 3 below, are prohibited
from obtaining or using official NEA or
NEA-NM member lists containing
proprietary information, including
physical and electronic contact
information. Local Presidents and their
local officers with access to such
information through their local
membership lists are responsible for
exercising due diligence to protect this
proprietary information.
3. Candidates for retired positions may
receive a contact list of all NEA-New
Mexico retired members. Such
candidates shall sign an affidavit
indicating that the lists will be used only
for campaign purposes and no other
purpose.
4. Candidates for NEA Director and
Alternate NEA Director will be
provided NEA election rules and
regulations by NEA-New Mexico.
5. Within fifteen days after nomination,
NEA-New Mexico will provide each
candidate with a copy of this rule and the
elections calendar and procedures.
D. Elections at Delegate Council
1. The delegates to the Council shall
elect, through secret ballot, at-large
Board of Directors members as
necessary to comply with the provisions
of Article V of the NEA-New Mexico
Constitution, the member to the
Educational Retirement Board and vote
on amendments to the Bylaws of the
Association, except as provided by the
Constitution. Each certified delegate to
the Council shall be eligible to vote.
If the number of candidates
nominated equals the number of
positions to be filled, the chair shall
declare such candidates elected.
2. Candidate speeches at Delegate
Council. Candidates’ speeches are
limited to two minutes each for
candidates for office to be elected at
Delegate Council.
E. Statewide Elections
The ballot to be sent to the membership
of NEA-New Mexico shall be prepared
by the Board of Directors. As necessary,
the ballot shall provide for the election
of Executive Officers, NEA Director
and Alternate, Amendments to the
NEA-New Mexico Constitution, and the
Bylaws Amendments specified in the
governing documents.
The Ballot for the Retired Member of
the NEA-New Mexico Board of
Directors and for the EdPAC member
representing NEA-NM retired members
shall be prepared by the Board of
Directors. Only retired members of the
NEA-New Mexico shall be eligible to
vote for these positions.
The Ballot for the Student Member of
the NEA-New Mexico Board of
Directors shall be prepared by the Board
of Directors. Only student members of
the NEA-New Mexico shall be eligible
to vote for this position.
An announcement of the time and place
of the lottery for placement on the ballot
will be made by the Elections
Committee Chair immediately
following the close of deadlines. All
ballots for office shall include a space
for declared write-in candidates.
The timelines and procedures shall be
developed by the Elections Committee
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to ensure open nominations and a secret
ballot.
F. Board of Directors/EdPAC Regional
Elections
Immediately after the approval of the
elections calendar, NEA-New Mexico
will inform each Region Chair of the
positions of NEA-New Mexico Director
and/or EdPAC that are open; it is
expected that regions will inform
members of these openings. A
declaration of candidacy shall be
submitted to the NEA-New Mexico
President. All ballots for office shall
include a space for declared write-in
candidates, provided that declarations
are in accordance with the deadline set
in elections procedures. However, write-
in candidates are always allowed for all
NEA delegate elections.
The timelines and procedures shall be
developed by the Elections Committee,
including the deadline for declaration of
write-in candidacy.
If the number of candidates nominated,
including write-in candidates who have
declared their write-in candidacy in
accordance with timelines and
procedures established by the Elections
Committee, equals the number of
positions to be filled, the Board of
Directors shall declare such candidates
elected.
G. Campaigns
l. No dues money from any NEA affiliates
or other civic, labor, or religious
organizations, including in-kind
contributions shall be used to promote
the candidacy, directly or indirectly, of
any individual for an NEA-NM office.
2. All candidates will retain receipts and
other records of expenditures for their
campaign, as well as records of
contributions, in accordance with NEA
guidelines. All candidates will file a
campaign contributions/expenditure
report with NEA-NM within 30 days of
the board ratifying the election results.
Such report will list individual
contributions, amounts raised through
fundraising, in-kind contributions by
individuals, and a list of expenditures
incurred in the campaign.
3. Campaign materials may include, but
are not limited to, flyers, posters, blogs,
websites, or any other electronic/social
media.
4. Campaign materials, as described above,
may not feature pictures, names, images,
likenesses, or any other media of any
NEA-NM staff member, including
NEA-NM attorneys and office/regional
staff.
5. Campaign materials, as described above,
may not feature pictures, names, images,
likenesses, or other media of present or
past Association logos, the NEA logo,
the symbol of the united education
profession, or other symbols connected
to the NEA-NM, the NEA, or the local
affiliates of NEA-NM or NEA.
6. Should a candidate wish to use an
individual’s photo, image, likeness, or
name in his/her campaign materials,
he/she must obtain the prior express
written consent of that individual.
7. Endorsements and Promoting of
Candidates.
(a)In its regular course of business, the
membership or leadership of a
governing body may endorse a
candidate for office. The NEA-NM
Board of Directors will not, as a body
or a group therein, endorse any
candidates for internal NEA-NM
elections.
(b)A governing body may invite all
candidates to a meeting under the
guidelines. Adequate advance time
will be made for all candidates to
prepare a written presentation or
designate a representative to speak on
their behalf if they cannot attend in
person.
(c)If an endorsement has been made, no
NEA-NM region or local dues will be
used to encourage members to vote
for a particular candidate.
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(d)NEA-NM membership/leadership
publications will not be used to
announce an endorsement. A
publication may encourage the
membership to exercise their right to
vote.
(e)NEA-NM staff will have no
involvement in promoting the
candidacy of any individuals for
NEA-NM or NEA office, including
but not limited to direct
contributions, purchase of raffle
tickets, contributions of items for
raffles or drawing, in-kind services,
or any other economic or financial
incentives to candidates.
8. While NEA-NM region, local or
outside organization dues may not be
used to publicize or encourage
support, the following is permissible:
(a)The candidate may use the endorse-
ment in his/her own campaign
materials.
(b)An officer of the Association or any
other member, or combination of
members, may use his/her own
money, or that of the candidate, to
encourage support from members. In
a personal letter, or any other type of
personal communication, an officer
may mention his/her prior or current
title(s). Such letters may not be
written on official stationary of the
organization. Candidates may use
these endorsements in their campaign
materials accordingly. Including
candidates and their supporters, as
well as NEA-NM Leadership and
members of governing bodies, may
conduct raffles, lotteries, or
drawings, to encourage the
membership to exercise their right to
vote. However, they may not offer
any direct economic or financial
incentives in exchange for voting.
(c) NEA-New Mexico Affiliates may
use dues funds to encourage the
membership to exercise their right to
vote.
9. Regularly published newsletters,
electronic media, or any publication
at all levels of governance will refrain
from negatively reporting and/or
sensationalizing candidates, or
actively reporting and/or promoting
candidates, or themselves, through
news articles, announcements, and/or
personal columns. This rule applies
to social media outlets as well as any
other media purporting to represent
the views of the affiliate or members
in their role as officers of the affiliate.
Postings on social media outside the
direct control and authority of the
affiliate or its officers will not be
considered intentional violations of
the rule, unless affiliate
representative refuse to remove the
posts when requested. Failure to
comply with requests to correct and
cease intentional violations of this
rule may be considered by the NEA-
New Mexico Board of Directors as a
violation of the Standards of
Affiliation as set forth in Article VI,
section 5 of the Constitution and
Bylaw 10 (a) 2.
10. Normal publication practices may
continue during the election period.
11. Association Meetings.
(a)A single candidate or combination
of candidates shall not sponsor,
nor have sponsored, a social or
fundraising event that promotes
the candidacy of one or more
candidates while any official
region, and/or local
governance/business meeting of
the organization is in session.
(b)Individual campaigning/events by
candidates may take place before
or after a scheduled Association
meeting at any level of
governance. Campaign
materials/literature may be
distributed at candidate tables
outside of the actual meeting
rooms during NEA-NM Delegate
Page 75
Council and other statewide NEA-
NM sponsored meetings similar to
the practice at NEA RA and other
NEA seminars/trainings. When
feasible, NEA-New Mexico may
provide or coordinate the
provision of candidate tables.
(c)All staff members shall absent
themselves from any part of a
session when governance is
considering endorsements. They
shall not be present at, or share in,
the planning of any social and/or
fundraising activity, or individual
campaigning, as described in the
Guidelines, or any such activities
as may reasonably be construed as
participating.
12. Role of Elected Leaders in
Election Campaigns.
(a)Elected school level, Local,
District, and State officers retain
their rights as members to
participate in the affairs of the
organization, including
individually and personally
supporting and working on behalf
of candidates for office. However,
such campaign activities may not
occur during official Association
functions, while actually
performing in the capacity of their
office, and may not involve the
expenditure of Association funds.
13. Candidate Statements
(a)Except for candidates’ statements
on the website and in the
Advocate’s Voice, NEA-New
Mexico shall not print campaign
materials for any candidate for
NEA-New Mexico office. All
candidates will be afforded the
opportunity of placing statements
on the NEA-NM website in
accordance with election
procedures developed by the
Elections Committee. NEA-NM
will also accept one electronic
flyer from each candidate for
statewide or regional office that
NEA-NM will send electronically
as a package to those members for
whom it has a home email on file,
similar to the practice by NEA
prior to the RA. If all candidates
for a particular office are willing
to share the costs, NEA-New
Mexico may provide through
election procedures one bulk
mailing for each office containing
one piece of standard sized
literature per candidate.
(b)Candidates for President, Vice-
president, NEA Director, and
Alternate NEA Director may
submit Candidate Statements of
not more than 200 words in length
will be published in the
Advocate’s Voice. The order of
statements in the Advocate’s
Voice will appear in the same
order as the ballot. Candidates are
responsible for their own
“portrait” photo. The deadline for
the above will be included in the
Elections Committee timelines
and procedures.
(c)Candidates for President, Vice-
president, NEA Director, and
Alternate NEA Director may
address the Delegate Council
immediately preceding the
election (provided that Delegate
Council occurs between the close
of nominations and the election)
for no more than five minutes for
candidates for President and Vice-
president and three minutes for
candidates for NEA Director and
Alternate Director.
H. Ranked Choice Elections
Voters rank candidates in order of
preference. They may rank as many or
as few candidates as they choose.
Every voter has one vote. That vote is
counted initially for a voter’s first
choice. If there are more than two
candidates who receive votes, the last-
Page 76
place candidate with the fewest votes is
eliminated. More than one candidate can
be eliminated simultaneously if their
combined vote is less than the total of
any other remaining candidate. Ballots
counted for the eliminated candidate are
added to the totals of the candidate
ranked next on each ballot.
This process of eliminating last-place
candidates and adding ballots cast for
those candidates to the totals of the next-
ranked choice on that ballot continues
until two candidates remain. The
candidate with the majority of votes in
this final round is declared the winner.
I. Complaints
During the course of the election,
candidates may report alleged violations
of this standing rule supported with
concrete evidence in writing to the
executive director. If after investigation,
it is determined that a violation has
occurred, the executive director shall
notify all candidates and the board of
directors of the violation and request
that the behavior cease, with a
notification that continued violations
may result in an ultimate challenge as to
the validity of the election. If the charge
is not substantiated, all candidates and
the board of directors will be notified of
that outcome.
J. Challenge Process (effective 9/1/2020)
l. Candidates and members may bring
forth a challenge as to the integrity of the
outcome of the elections. This challenge
is not whether there has been a violation
of the election policy or procedure, but a
challenge to the validity of the results.
For any office election that is the subject
of a challenge, all candidates for that
office will be immediately informed of
the challenge in writing. In considering
a challenge, it is critical that the Board
of Directors consider the election results
reported to it and whether the challenge,
if substantiated, would have produced a
contrary result.
2. Any challenge must be filed at least thirty
(30) calendar days before the date set by
the Board for certification of the election
in its annual elections calendar as part of
the election procedures for individual
elections. Candidates will be informed
within a reasonable amount of time the
date of the Board meeting and may be
present at the Board meeting when the
challenge is considered.
3. All challenges should be reviewed by the
NEA-NM Executive Director and NEA-
NM General Counsel to determine the
validity of the challenge.
(a)The determination of when the Board
of Directors should consider a
challenge will be determined by the
NEA-NM Executive Director and
NEA-NM General Counsel on the
basis of the content of the challenge
and the complexity of the issues
contained therein. Their review will
also include what, if any, additional
individuals and or information
should be requested to appear before
the Board of Directors to provide
testimony related to the contents of
the challenge. Requests for additional
individuals and information will be
made in a timely manner as to have
adequate information for the Board
of Directors to consider the
challenge.
(b)A summary of all challenges
presented and their recommended
disposition will be shared with the
Board of Directors.
(c)If after review, the NEA-NM
Executive Director and NEA-NM
General Counsel determine the
challenge to be valid, the challenge
shall be considered by the Board of
Directors.
(d)The Board shall receive and
adjudicate any challenges they are to
consider at least 15 calendar days
before the date set to certify the
results of the election.
Page 77
RULE 10. DEFINITION OF TERMS
The following terms from the Constitution
and Bylaws, when used in the Standing
Rules, shall have these definitions:
A. Open Nomination Procedure shall
mean a procedure by which every
eligible NEA-New Mexico member
shall have the opportunity to nominate
any NEA-New Mexico member who
meets the qualifications for the elective
position; subject, however, to any
limitations required in the NEA-New
Mexico Constitution and Bylaws and
also to any other reasonable restrictions
uniformly imposed.
B. Secret Ballot shall mean a procedure for
voting, whether on a paper ballot or
electronically, in which the voter is
given the time and space to cast their
ballot personally and in secrecy.
C. One-Person-One-Vote Principle shall
mean a voting procedure by which the
vote of each member of the constituency
has equal weight, so that in the elected
governing body, each delegate
represents approximately the same
number of constituents as each and
every other delegate.
D. Election by Secret Ballot for Each
Individual Position shall mean that
slate voting shall not be permitted.
E. Runoff Elections shall mean a voting
procedure as follows: In an election
conducted at Delegate Council, if a
sufficient number of candidates has not
achieved a majority of the valid ballots
cast, another election shall be held and
the runoff ballot shall list those
unsuccessful candidates who, arranged
in decreasing order of votes received,
obtained a majority of the votes cast in
the previous election. In the event that
this procedure would not provide at least
one more candidate than the number of
remaining positions to be filled, then the
runoff ballot shall list those candidates
who, in descending order, received the
highest number of votes on the previous
ballot (though not elected), listing one
more candidate than the number of
positions to be filled.
F. Valid Ballot.. In the case of elections, a
valid ballot shall be a ballot (a) cast by a
member for a person nominated for the
office; (b) cast for no more than the
maximum number of positions to be
filled; (c) cast in a manner that clearly
indicates the voter's choice. In the case
of a vote on any issue placed on a ballot,
a valid ballot shall be a ballot clearly cast
for or against the issue; (d) cast in a
manner consistent with the elections
procedures and calendar for the
particular election.
G. Feature shall mean have as a
prominent part or characteristic or
attribute or aspect in a photo or
graphic.
RULE 11. SMOKING PROHIBITION
There shall be no smoking in the
Delegate Council.
Page 78
2021 PROPOSED BYLAW AMENDMENT
Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the Delegate Council and voting except that the
Bylaw established dues shall be amended by vote of the NEA-New Mexico Active membership.
Bylaw Amendment 2.4: h. Membership Dues
BYLAW AMENDMENT 1.
This amendment changes the dues structure for retiring ESP members considering they make
less in salary than other active members. This language aligns with NEA’s new ESP Retired
dues assessment.
Strikethrough = Delete Underline = Insert
TEXT OF AMENDMENT TO BYLAW 2.4, h. MEMBERSHIP DUES:
Bylaw 2.4 Membership Dues
h. Dues of retired members shall be as set by the NEA-New Mexico Board of Directors. The
annual and membership-for-life dues of any retired member who joins after the 2021-2022
membership year and who was an Active ESP member at the time of retirement, shall be sixty
percent (60%) of the dues of Retired members as established by the NEA-New Mexico Board of
Directors.
RATIONALE: The RA this summer passed the exact same language for its national ESP Retired
dues assessment, and this will align us with national. It will provide us with an avenue to seek
retired membership from our state ESPs who have or will retire as ESPs. As active members, our
dues structure at the national and state levels take into account that most ESPs make less in salary
than other active members and, for that reason, pay a lower dues assessment. For the first time,
there will be an acknowledgement that the majority of our ESPs also make less in retirement
benefits than other Active members who retire. It is anticipated that this will have a positive
effect in recruiting ESPs into NEA-NM Retired and provide it with an even greater diversity of
retired school employees in its ranks.
SUBMITTED BY: Unanimous vote of the NEA-NM Retired Board of Directors with a ‘DO
PASS” recommendation. Majority vote of the Committee on Constitution, Bylaws & Rules, with
a “DO PASS” recommendation. Majority vote by the NEA-NM Board of Directors with a “DO
PASS” recommendation.
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2021 PROPOSED STANDING RULE AMENDMENT Standing rules are amended by voice vote of the Delegate Council and take effect immediately after
adoption.
Standing Rule Amendment 9: G.2 Elections Committee and Procedures
STANDING RULES AMENDMENT 1.
This amendment changes the candidate contribution reporting requirement for those nominated and
running for election as state or cluster Delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly.
Strikethrough = Delete Underline = Insert
TEXT OF AMENDMENT TO RULE 9. ELECTIONS COMMITTEE AND PROCEDURES:
G. Campaigns
1. No dues money from any NEA affiliates or other civic, labor, or religious organizations, including in-
kind contributions shall be used to promote the candidacy, directly or indirectly, of any individual for
an NEA-NM office.
2. All candidates except those running for state or cluster RA delegates will retain receipts and other
records of expenditures for their campaign, as well as records of contributions, in accordance with NEA
guidelines. All candidates will file a campaign contributions/expenditure report with NEA-NM within
30 days of the board ratifying the election results. Such report will list individual contributions, amounts
raised through fundraising, in-kind contributions by individuals, and a list of expenditures incurred in
the campaign.
RATIONALE: This amendment increases the opportunity for members to be nominated as candidates to
run as state or cluster RA delegates without the need to maintain receipts or records, and not be required
to file an expenditure report as a state or cluster delegate running for NEA Representative Assembly
Delegate.
SUBMITTED BY: Majority vote of the Committee on Constitution, Bylaws & Rules, with a “DO
PASS” recommendation. Majority vote by the Board of Directors with a “DO PASS” recommendation.
Page 80
NEA-NEW MEXICO RESOLUTIONS
As Adopted by the NEA-New Mexico Delegate Council on October 26, 2019
Table of Contents
FINANCE ............................................................. 3
A. ECONOMIC CONCERNS OF MEMBERS ................ 3 A-1. Federal Support of Education ........................ 3 A-2. Professional Salaries ..................................... 3 A-3. Salary Goals .................................................. 4 A-4. Fringe Benefits .............................................. 4 A-5. Educational Retirement Legislation .............. 4 A-6. Retiree Health Care ....................................... 5 A-7. Social Security .............................................. 5 A-8. Instructional Supplies .................................... 5 A-9. Funding for New State Programs .................. 5 A-10. Reimbursement for Mandated Courses ....... 5 A-11. Reimbursement ........................................... 5 A-12. Compensation.............................................. 5 A-13. Funding for Off-Campus Courses ............... 6 A-14. Private School Funding ............................... 6 A-15. Driver Education ......................................... 6
PROTECTION .................................................... 6
B. JOB SECURITY OF MEMBERS .............................. 6 B-1. Fair Employment Practices............................ 6 B-2. Employer-Employee Relationships ............... 6 B-3. Access to Personnel File ................................ 6 B-4. Collective Bargaining .................................... 6 B-5. Non-Privatization of the Jobs and Fair
Salaries for Educational Support Professionals ..... 6 B-6. Reduction in Force (RIF)............................... 7 B-7. Right of Due Process ..................................... 7 B-8. Revocation and Suspension of Licenses ........ 7
PROFESSIONAL RIGHTS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES ......................................... 7
C-PROFESSIONAL CONCERNS ....................... 7 DETERMINING STANDARDS OF THE
EDUCATION PROFESSION ............................ 7 C-1. Excellence in Education ................................ 7 C-2. Mandated Paperwork ..................................... 7 C-3. Federal Program Standards and Teacher
Preparation ............................................................ 7 C-4. Professional Autonomy ................................. 7 C-5. Accountability ............................................... 7 C-6. Class Size ...................................................... 7 C-7. Professional Competence .............................. 8 C-8. National Certification .................................... 8 C-9. Licensure Standards ...................................... 8 C-10. Substitute Teachers...................................... 8 C-11. Substitute Educational Support Professionals
.............................................................................. 9 C-12. Academic Freedom...................................... 9 C-13. Employee Stress .......................................... 9 C-14. Instructional Materials Adoption ................. 9 C-15. Teacher Testing ........................................... 9
PROFESSIONAL RIGHTS ................................9 C-16. Methods of Evaluation ................................. 9 C-17. Teacher Assignment .................................. 10 C-18. Conditions of Work ................................... 10 C-19. Time to Teach ............................................ 10 C-20. Competency Based Licensure .................... 10 C-21. Educational Employee-Coach Contracts ... 10 C-22. Discipline Policies and Procedures ............ 11 C-23. Education Employees and Active Duty
Service ................................................................. 11 C-24. Protection of Education Employees
from Workplace Bullying .................................... 11
PREPARATION ................................................ 11
C-25. Accreditation of Teacher Preparation
Institutions ........................................................... 11 C-26. Curriculum Committees for Teacher
Education ............................................................. 11 C-27. Professional Development ......................... 12 C-28. Standardization of College Transcripts ...... 12 C-29. Teacher Preparation Institutes ................... 12 C-30. High Standards for Non-public and Home
Schools ................................................................ 12 C-31. Library Media Program ............................. 12 C-32. Educators for the Hearing/Visually Impaired
............................................................................. 12 C-33. Awareness of Students with Head/ Brain
Injuries ................................................................. 12 C-34. Inclusion of Special Needs Students .......... 13 C-35. Multi-lingual and Multi-cultural Training.
............................................................................. 13 C-36. Public School Food Service Program ....... 13
STUDENT EDUCATION ................................. 14
D-STUDENT EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES,
RIGHTS, AND RESPONSIBILITIES ........................... 14 D-1. Educational Opportunities ........................... 14 D-2. Independent Reading Skills(2009) .............. 14 D-3. Educational Program for English Language
Learners ............................................................... 14 D-4. Standards for Student Learning .................. 14 D-5. Assessment of Public School Students ........ 15 D-6. Student Success ........................................... 15 D-7. Art and Music in the Schools ..................... 15 D-8. Geography and New Mexico History in the
Schools ................................................................ 16 D-9. Communication Skills ................................. 16 D-10. PreK-12Educational Programs .................. 16 D-11. Day Care.................................................... 16 D-12. Students with Head/Brain Injuries ............. 16
D-13. Visually and Hearing Impaired………..…16
D-14. Health Education ....................................... 16 D-15. Suicide Prevention Programs .................... 16
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D-16. Vocational, Career, and Technical Education
............................................................................ 16
D-17. Inclusion of Students with Special Needs.17
D-18. Student Discipline .................................... 17
D-19. Digital Learning……………………...….17
D-20. Student Right and Responsibilities……...17
POLITICAL POWER ...................................... 18
E. EFFECTIVE USE OF POLITICAL POWER ............. 18 E-1. Tuition Tax Credits and Vouchers ............... 18 E-2. NEA-New Mexico EdPAC .......................... 18 E-3. Funding Formula Training and Experience
Index ................................................................... 18 E-4. Legislative Record ....................................... 18 E-5. Salaries for Legislators ................................ 18 E-6. Children’s Code ........................................... 18 E-7. Standard of Living ....................................... 18
EFFECTIVE LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS ........ 19
F. BUILDING EFFECTIVE LOCAL AFFILIATES........ 19 F-1. Leadership Training ..................................... 19 F-2. The Local Association and Instruction ....... 19 F-3. Continuing Membership .............................. 19 F-4. Student Organizations .................................. 19 F-5. Professional Development Resource Centers
............................................................................ 19 F-6. Retired Members ......................................... 19 F-8. Public Relations ........................................... 19
HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS ....................... 19
G. PROMOTING HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS IN
EDUCATION .......................................................... 19 G-1. Family and Medical Leave .......................... 19 G-2. Multi-lingual and Multi-cultural Training ... 19 G-3. Equal Employment Opportunities ............... 19 G-4. Protection of Children ................................ 20 G-5. Community Environmental Awareness…...20
G-6. Nuclear or Radioactive Facilities………….20
G-7. Violence in the Schools .............................. 20 G-8. Agency and Institutional Settings ................ 21 G-9. Adults with Disabilities ............................... 21
G-10. Equal Rights for All… ………………… 20
GOVERNANCE ................................................ 21
H. EFFECTIVE OPERATIONAL SERVICES ............... 21 H-1. Members ..................................................... 21 H-2. Minority Representation .............................. 21 H-3 Educational Support Professionals ............... 21
COMMUNITY .................................................. 21
I. FAMILY, SCHOOL, AND COMMUNITY
RELATIONSHIPS .................................................... 21 I-1 Understanding and Support of Public
Education. ........................................................... 21 I-2. Partnerships with Parents .............................. 21 I-3. Parent and Family Training .......................... 21 I-4. Business Support for Public Education ........ 21
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FINANCE
A. Economic Concerns of Members
A-1. Federal Support of Education
NEA-New Mexico believes that the funding
of public elementary and secondary education
is a major responsibility of the federal
government. It seeks federal support in
accordance with the following principles:
a. An increasing portion of public funds
should be for direct instruction of students;
b. Local governing boards must be fiscally
independent, and restrictive limits must not be
imposed on their budgets or long-term
borrowing;
c. State and federal mandates affecting
public education programs must be
accompanied by adequate and equitable
funding;
d. The amount of aid must be generally
predictable for long-range planning and
specifically predictable for year-to-year
planning;
e. Present programs of specific aid must be
expanded and improved by consolidation and
simplification of administration;
f. Public funded services for nonpublic
school students must be strictly limited to
medical and dental care, public welfare
programs, school lunch and milk programs,
and public safety services such as fire and
police protection, which are budgeted and
administered through the appropriate public
agencies; and
g. Federal legislation must comply with
civil rights statutes, be consistent with the
constitutional provision respecting an
establishment of religion, and provide for
judicial review as to its constitutionality.
The Association opposes providing any public
revenues to sectarian pre-K through 12
schools. The Association also opposes
providing such revenues to nonsectarian pre-
K through 12 private schools or to nonpublic
school students in pre-K through 12
education, unless such revenues are used for
educational services that are not available in
public schools to which students have
reasonable access. (2010)
A-2. Professional Salaries
NEA-New Mexico believes the salary
policy of any school system should be based on
clearly defined factors, applicable to salaries
for all professional services including summer
school, after-school activities, federally
supported programs, and research and writing
assignments. Educators should not be required
to perform extra duties without extra pay and
their consent. No professional group should be
overlooked in the establishment of such
policies.
The Association believes salary scales for
principals, other building supervisors, and
central office administrators should be related
to the salary schedule for teachers by ratios
which reflect differences in assigned
responsibilities and length of contract year and
should grant equal salary differentials for
equal amount of advanced preparation.
The Association believes a professional
salary schedule for licensed personnel should:
a. Be based upon preparation, academic
degrees, endorsements, education experience,
professional growth, responsibilities and full
length of service; (2012)
b. Have structural continuity through the
use of an index or percentage guide for
experience increments and levels of academic
preparation;
c. Be revised by methods preventing
deterioration in the ratios of maximum salaries,
experience increments, and preparational
differentials;
d. Provide scheduled minimum salaries
competitive with beginning salaries paid to
college graduates entering the private sector;
e. Provide a differential of 15 percent or
more between the scheduled minimum salaries
for the bachelor’s degree and master’s degree
scales;
f. Have automatic annual increments for
experience, in no case less than 7 percent of the
bachelor’s degree minimum;
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g. Provide for advancing the master’s
degree class to reflect twice the bachelor’s
degree minimum and for advancing at least to
a ratio of 2.5 times the bachelor’s degree
minimum with advanced preparation beyond
the master’s degree class; (2012)
h. Establish salary credit for intermediate
preparation levels between full-year classes to
encourage academic advancement beyond the
bachelor’s degree;
i. Assure that employees be compensated at
standard contract rates for required days
exceeding state minimum standards;
j. Permit no discrimination as to grade or
subject taught, residence, creed, race, sex,
marital status, or number of dependents;
k. Place newly-appointed teachers on step
according to their teaching experience,
allowing full credit for all previous service
outside the district;
l. Be applied in actual practice in an
equitable manner so teachers are not penalized
in changing assignments;
m. Be developed through the process of
professional negotiations;
n. Be developed without pay provisions that
rely solely on student achievement or that rely
on subjective criteria; and
o. Assure that salary paid for summer
employment, continuing education programs,
extended contracts, conducting in-service
training or workshops, and extra duty is not
less than the rate for regular pay (2010)
A-3. Salary Goals
NEA-New Mexico believes that teacher
salaries that meet or exceed regional and
national averages are necessary to retain
competent teachers and other school
employees and attract persons of outstanding
ability to the profession.
NEA-New Mexico also believes that all
school employees should have a salary
schedule that rewards training and experience.
(2010)
A-4. Fringe Benefits
NEA-New Mexico believes comprehensive
programs for employee's benefits should be
provided, including, but not limited to:
a. An adequate, continuously updated,
retirement program
b. Employer-financed group health
insurance to 75%
c. Employer-financed group life insurance
d. Employer-financed group disability
income insurance
e. Sick leave benefits, with unlimited
accumulation
f. Reimbursement for unused sick leave
g. Paid personal leave
h. Paid professional leave
i. Maternity leave/paternity leave, including
adoption
j. Family medical leave
k. Paid sabbatical leave
l. Payroll deductions
m. Tuition reimbursement
n. Severance benefits
o. Tax-sheltered benefits
p. Personal assault/battery protection
q. Workers’ Compensation
r. Unemployment Compensation.
NEA-New Mexico believes comprehensive
programs for employee benefits are a vital part
of school employee compensation. School
employee benefit packages should compare
favorably with income in other professions and
occupations requiring comparable preparation.
(2013)
A-5. Educational Retirement Legislation
NEA-New Mexico believes educators
throughout New Mexico must be provided
with a sound, well financed retirement system.
The Association further believes that the
Legislature must continue: (1) complete
control of the fund by the Educational
Retirement Board, (2) joint employer-
employee basis of funding, (3) the provision
for representation of the Board of NEA-New
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Mexico since it comprises the largest group of
employees covered by the fund, (4) support of
the principle that educational retirement
benefits should in no way be reduced because
of the receipt of social security benefits, and (5)
the system as a defined benefit plan
The Association further believes the
Legislature must provide: (1) improved cost-
of-living increases in retirement benefits, (2)
retirement benefit computation based on the
best three year average, (3) full service credit
for all unused sick leave, (4) 3.0 percent
computation formula for all years service
(earned and allowed). (2012)
A-6. Retiree Health Care
NEA-New Mexico urges the legislature to
support and insure proper funding of the
Retiree Health Care Authority. The
beneficiaries of the system should be the
employees who along with employers have
contributed to the Authority. The members of
the Retiree Health Care Authority should
democratically represent the participants of the
RHCA. (2013)
A-7. Social Security
NEA-New Mexico believes that Social
Security should be available to eligible school
employees where desired, but should not be
mandated. Contracts with Social Security
should provide for supplementary plans rather
than integrated or coordinated plans.
NEA-New Mexico believes that the reform
of Social Security laws is necessary to
eliminate offset provisions that are
discriminatory. In addition, NEA-New
Mexico believes that the reform is necessary to
maintain or reduce the current retirement age.
NEA-New Mexico furthers believes that no
benefit for which money has been collected
should be withdrawn without equal
replacement.
NEA-New Mexico believes that
supplementary health programs should be
removed from the Social Security program and
financed from some other source. (2010)
A-8. Instructional Supplies
NEA-New Mexico believes that full
funding should be provided for the needs
of public education. It is the responsibility
of the New Mexico Legislature to
adequately fund the New Mexico Public
School Funding Formula in order that local
boards of education can meet their
responsibility to provide instructional
supplies and resources so that each school
in a District meets standards for
educational excellence.
The Association believes the practice of
spending personal funds on instructional
supplies relieves the local board of
education of its responsibilities. It also
effectively reduces all efforts of the
Association to gain public and legislative
support for financial needs of schools.
(2019)
A-9. Funding for New State Programs
NEA-New Mexico believes public
education is not currently funded at a level to
provide quality education for each student in
the public schools. The Association further
believes any additional programs mandated by
the Public Education Department must be fully
funded.. (2013)
A-10. Reimbursement for Mandated
Courses
NEA-New Mexico believes that the New
Mexico Secretary of Public Education must be
required to reimburse previously licensed
teachers for the cost of transportation,
registration, tuition, and books incurred while
completing any college course work deemed
necessary for relicensure or continuing
licensure by the Professional Licensure Unit.
(2013)
A-11. Reimbursement
NEA-New Mexico believes that it is the
responsibility of the legislature to fund CEU
(Continuing Education Units) required for
licensure or continued employment of public
school employees. (2013)
A-12. Compensation
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NEA-New Mexico believes school
employees must be compensated for the time
needed to prepare documentation required by
the Public Education Department or any other
educational agencies. (2013)
A-13. Funding for Off-Campus Courses
NEA-New Mexico believes funding for the
community colleges and off-campus college
courses must be provided through the state
funding formula for the universities of New
Mexico. (2013)
A-14. Private School Funding
NEA-New Mexico opposes all efforts to
expand the use of public funds to support
private K-12 schools. (2013)
A-15. Driver Education
NEA-New Mexico believes that driver
education should be fully funded, taught by
licensed personnel, and available as part of the
basic education to all qualified students in New
Mexico. (2013)
PROTECTION
B. Job Security of Members
B-1. Fair Employment Practices
NEA-New Mexico believes state law and
Board policies should ensure the job security
of all education employees through fair
employment practices, including fair dismissal
provisions, reasons for non-renewal of
contracts and due process rights for all
educational employees. (2013)
B-2. Employer-Employee Relationships
NEA-New Mexico believes good
employee-employer relationships comprise a
foundation on which to build a strong
education profession. (2010)
B-3. Access to Personnel File
NEA-New Mexico believes all school
personnel must have access to all items in their
personnel files. The Association further
believes all school personnel must receive a
copy of all items entered into the file and must
have the right to attach a written response to
any such item. The Association also believes a
procedure must be established for removing
any inappropriate or unsubstantiated material.
The Association further believes each
employee has the right to be accompanied by
any individual of his/her choice when
examining his/her file. (2010)
B-4. Collective Bargaining
NEA-New Mexico believes in the legal
right of school employees to seek binding and
contractual rights with their employers through
the process described in the Public Employee
Bargaining Act.
The Association believes all local affiliates
(1) should seek exclusive representation rights
for employees in their districts, (2) should enter
into good faith negotiations with the employer,
and (3) should negotiate a contract addressing
salary, benefits and working condition
concerns, including, but not limited to, seeking
the widest scope of bargaining possible
relating to curriculum, preparation time,
retraining and other matters of mutual concern
needed to best affect the duties of school
employees and the mission of New Mexico’s
public schools.
The Association believes the collective
bargaining process will, through good faith
negotiations on the part of both parties,
increase the efficiency, effectiveness and
accountability of the public schools of New
Mexico.
The Association believes that collective
bargaining rights must not be weakened by any
legislative changes. (2010)
B-5. Non-Privatization of the Jobs and
Fair Salaries for Educational Support
Professionals
NEA-New Mexico believes that
educational employers must secure and
maintain a highly qualified and capable
educational support staff. The Association
further believes that such support staff should
not be displaced by temporary, part-time, or
private workers. The Association believes that
salaries and benefits for educational support
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staff should be competitive with those for
similar positions in private industry. (2010)
B-6. Reduction in Force (RIF)
NEA-New Mexico believes its affiliates
must negotiate criteria to be utilized should
reduction in force (RIF) occur.
The Association further believes these
criteria must include seniority, objectivity,
nondiscrimination, and uniformity of
application; contracts must establish recall
procedures providing priority job opportunities
on a seniority basis to educational personnel
unemployed because of reductions in force.
(2010)
B-7. Right of Due Process
NEA-New Mexico believes the current
statutory right of due process for teachers and
Educational Support Professionals must be
protected and should be extended to all
education employees, except for top
educational management who serve at the
pleasure of governing boards. (2012)
B-8. Revocation and Suspension of
Licenses
NEA-New Mexico believes that since
teaching licenses are issued at the state level,
revocation and suspension of said licenses
shall remain the responsibility of the issuing
agency. (2012)
PROFESSIONAL RIGHTS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES
C-PROFESSIONAL CONCERNS
DETERMINING STANDARDS OF
THE EDUCATION PROFESSION
C-1. Excellence in Education
NEA-New Mexico believes in a shared
national, state, community and individual
commitment to excellence in education. The
Association reaffirms its support for the
establishment and maintenance of high
standards for teaching and learning. These
standards must be established, maintained and
governed by the member of the profession and
must apply to recruitment, teacher preparation,
induction, professional development,
evaluation practice and accountability (2012)
C-2. Mandated Paperwork
The Association believes there must be a
reduction in the amount of paperwork required
of school personnel to allow adequate and
quality time for the instruction of students.
(2010)
C-3. Federal Program Standards and
Teacher Preparation
NEA-New Mexico believes that federal
programs for education must meet the same
standards of preparation, licensure, salary
principles, and salary schedules as other
programs in the public schools.
The Association further believes that
teachers must be involved from inception to
evaluation of these programs. (2010)
C-4. Professional Autonomy
NEA-New Mexico believes the profession
must govern itself. The Association further
believes that an independent professional
practices and standards board must set and
enforce standards of entrance to the education
profession and education training programs,
license, practice, ethics, and competence.
(2010)
C-5. Accountability
NEA-New Mexico believes educational
excellence for each child is the objective of the
education system. The Association further
believes educators can be accountable only to
the degree they share responsibility in
educational decision-making and to the degree
other parties who share this responsibility -
legislators, other government officials, school
boards, parents, students and taxpayers - are
also held accountable. (2010)
C-6. Class Size
NEA-New Mexico believes that excellence
in the classroom can best be attained by small
class size, particularly in grades pre-K through
12, which allows for the optimum development
of a student's potential. Class size and daily
student-teacher contacts must allow for
individual attention to each pupil. Class size
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must include all students’ i.e. Special
education students. The Association further
believes that excessive class size hinders the
teaching and learning process and is disruptive
to a positive educational environment.
The Association believes the State
Department of Education should, on a yearly
basis, collect and report class size data that
reflects the experience of students and
educators. This data should be utilized to
assure state statute is adhered to. (2019)
C-7. Professional Competence
NEA-New Mexico believes each educator
must have the knowledge and skills necessary
to perform duties based upon a broad general
education with depth of preparation in special
areas and a commitment to continued learning.
The Association believes that each
professional position should be filled by a
qualified and licensed educator. The
Association further believes attempts to
diminish the quality of learning or services
through the elimination of teaching positions,
through the arbitrary increase in size of classes,
number of students served, or through the
employment of non-licensed personnel and/or
student teachers in teaching or service roles
must be resisted. (2012)
C-8. National Certification
NEA-New Mexico believes the profession
must grant recognition to an individual who
has, voluntarily, met qualifications specified
by the National Board for Professional
Teaching Standards (NBPTS). NEA-New
Mexico further believes that the NBPTS must
be composed of a majority of practicing public
school teachers.
The Association also believes the periodic
evaluation of such certification procedures is
necessary to ascertain whether cultural,
economic, gender, racial, or age bias is
perpetuated by the requirements for
certification. (2010)
C-9. Licensure Standards
NEA-New Mexico believes New Mexico’s
children deserve a fully qualified and
competent teacher in every classroom as well
as a fully qualified and competent professional
in every educational position. Further, the
Association supports legislation that requires
school districts to employ such qualified and
competent professionals. This legislation
should require that school district
superintendents certify that they have
attempted and failed to fill positions with such
professionals before they seek waivers from
licensure requirements. Further, the
Association believes school districts should be
required to notify parents and the community
in any instance in which less than qualified
educational professionals are employed.
Further, the Association opposes any
changes in licensure requirements during the
life of a license.
Additionally, the Association opposes any
additional licensure requirements without clear
professional value. (2012)
C-10. Substitute Teachers
NEA-NM believes that substitute teachers
perform a vital function in the maintenance and
continuity of daily education and should
therefore be compensated accordingly. The
Association condemns the practice of
assigning substitute teachers to regular
positions for an extended duration of time.
Positions created by extended absence should
be filled by available licensed teachers who are
eligible to be placed on contractual status by
the school district. The Association believes
substitutes must be provided for all
instructional positions. The Association
opposes the practices of replacing absent
teachers by dispersing students to other
classrooms. In the absence of available
licensed teachers, the Association believes
educational assistants licensed to substitute can
substitute within their assigned duties,
provided they receive additional compensation
above their regular daily pay. The Association
opposes the use of Educational Support
Professionals not assigned to a classroom
setting. The Association also opposes the use
of individuals such as Educational Support
Professionals, part-time employees, or
employees hired through private agencies to
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cover classes. The Association further opposes
requiring teachers to substitute during their
preparation time. The Association supports the
right of substitute employees to organize for
collective bargaining purposes. (2012)
C-11. Substitute Educational Support
Professionals
NEA-NM believes in the importance of
substitute educational support professionals in
the maintenance and continuity of daily
operations. The Association believes that an
educational support substitute must meet the
same standards as the employees for whom
he/she substitutes. The Association supports
the right of substitute employees to organize
for collective bargaining purposes. The
Association also supports the practice of
providing schedule pay plus basic and fringe
benefits for educational support professionals
substituting for permanent education support
professionals on extended leave. The
Association believes substitutes must be
provided for all Educational Support
Professionals. (2012)
C-12. Academic Freedom
NEA-New Mexico believes academic
freedom for all teachers is essential if the
educational system is to serve, teach, guide and
help maintain a sense of a free society.
Academic freedom for educators must include
respect from members of the community they
serve before they can teach rights and
responsibilities of individuals. They must be
free to search for truth, be taken seriously in
considering new educational plans, and be able
to express their ideas objectively. They, as
organized groups, as well as individuals, must
be permitted to evaluate and review
controversial issues involving educational
trends. (2010)
C-13. Employee Stress
NEA-New Mexico believes its local
affiliates, in cooperation with local school
authorities, should develop stress management
programs to facilitate the recognition,
prevention, and treatment of stress-related
problems.
The Association further believes the
harmful effects of stress on teachers and other
school personnel must be recognized. The
Association believes these procedures must
ensure confidentiality and treatment without
personal jeopardy. (2010)
C-14. Instructional Materials Adoption
NEA-New Mexico believes decisions on
school learning experiences and teaching
techniques to develop a student’s talents are
best made by educators. The Association
believes educators have the primary
responsibility for instructional excellence and
must have primary authority in the adoption of
instructional materials. The Association
further recommends that educators collaborate
in the research, development, and field testing
of new instructional methods and materials.
Adequate PD shall occur prior to
implementation.
The Association believes in the right of
students and parents to individually object to
curriculum materials used in sensitive subject
areas. Such challenges to the choice of
instructional materials must be made in an
orderly and objective way, under procedures
adopted mutually by educators and school
boards. (2019)
C-15. Teacher Testing
NEA-New Mexico believes neither pencil
and paper type tests of teacher skills nor any
other single criterion should be used for
determining who should study for or be
licensed in the teaching profession. A broad
range of factors should be used to evaluate a
candidate for professional licensure.
The Association supports rigorous and
relevant evaluation in the selection and
preparation of teachers and believes licensed
teachers and student teachers must be fully
involved in determining these criteria. (2013)
PROFESSIONAL RIGHTS
C-16. Methods of Evaluation
NEA-New Mexico believes systems of
employee assessment should be rigorously
carried out by trained and qualified personnel
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to ensure the quality of the education work
force. Further, the Association believes these
systems should be employed primarily for the
improvement of performance. They should be
fair and impartial, and should be based on
multiple objective evaluations of employee
competency. The assessment tools used in
such systems should be collaboratively
developed between employees and
management.
Additionally, the Association believes
decisions not to re-employ educational
personnel must be based on documented
uncorrected unsatisfactory work performance
and should be directly linked to the results of
the assessment system for both permanent and
probationary employees. (2013)
C-17. Teacher Assignment
NEA-New Mexico believes in making
proper teaching assignments based on
professional qualifications and in the
development of and adherence to sound
personnel policies and procedures by every
school district. Policies and procedures must be
in writing and accessible to all personnel.
The Association further believes the
administrator has the responsibility to make
proper assignments based on professional
qualifications. (2012)
C-18. Conditions of Work
NEA-New Mexico believes that good
working conditions for employees are
necessary for a proper learning environment
for the school children of New Mexico. The
Association encourages local education
associations, administrators and governing
boards to exercise innovation in the
improvement of working conditions through
the collective bargaining process.
The Association believes conditions will
improve when: (1) school personnel become
involved in the decision-making process, (2)
school administrators support increased
employee responsibility, and (3) school
employees, as members of their local
professional association, accept both employee
rights and their responsibilities for establishing
conditions that increase their effectiveness in
the classroom. (2010)
C-19. Time to Teach
NEA-NM believes that “time to teach”
refers not only to those hours during which an
educator is actually teaching but also applies to
those conditions that contribute to the student-
teacher relationship. These include a
reasonable, carefully-defined work load, a
duty-free lunch period (at least equal to that
required for students and not less than 30
minutes), an office in which to work, access to
telephones, adequate and appropriate office
equipment, access to technology, freedom
from interruptions during instructional time,
unencumbered planning time, time to evaluate
student progress, time for implementation of
federal and state legislative requirements, and
elimination of the non-instructional tasks
required of a teacher.
The Association also believes that at all
levels and in all disciplines, additional
common planning time should be provided
during the contract day for employees to meet
for such purposes as, but not limited to,
planning interdisciplinary activities/units, team
planning time, and coordinating with special
education and with support professionals.
(2015)
C-20. Competency Based Licensure
NEA-New Mexico believes competent
teachers employ the most appropriate
processes known for the promotion of learning.
The Association also believes competency-
based programs for licensure, relicensure,
employment and teacher evaluation must be
based on many factors. The Association further
believes the appropriate use of student progress
in teacher evaluation must be the assessment of
teacher effect on student learning through
multiple measures of student growth, not on
standardized measures of student status. (2015)
C-21. Educational Employee-Coach
Contracts
NEA-New Mexico believes extracurricular
coaching assignments are strictly voluntary
and are not meant to be linked to employee
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assignments as a contractual obligation on the
part of the educational employee-coach. (2015)
C-22. Discipline Policies and Procedures
NEA-New Mexico believes boards of
education in conjunction with local affiliates
should develop proactive policies, procedures
and standards that would provide the necessary
administrative support to school employees for
the maintenance of a positive school
environment. This includes effective
disciplinary procedures that enhance high
expectations for quality instruction and
learning in a safe and nurturing environment.
The Association believes in the right of
teachers or designated employees in charge of
instruction to cause the removal from the
classroom of disruptive and/or dangerous
students whose actions and/or behavior
deprive other students of a productive learning
experience.
The Association further believes any
disciplinary action that uses removal must be
based upon the rights of employees and
students to work and learn in a safe and orderly
environment. The Association opposes the use
of discipline as a means of excluding students
from the school setting until all other methods
of behavioral intervention have been
exhausted.
The Association encourages school
employees to use the judicial system to press
charges against students who commit crimes
such as assault and battery. Further, the
Association believes that school districts
should provide assistance including legal
counsel in such instances. (2016)
C-23. Education Employees and Active
Duty Service
The National Education Association
believes that an education employee whose
career is interrupted by a call to active duty
service by the National Guard or the reserves
should be guaranteed reemployment and all
benefits that would accrue if the employee had
continued in a position with the school system.
The Association also believes that the federal
government, upon calling an educator to active
duty, should supplement the service person’s
compensation so his/her family does not
experience a loss of revenue or benefits. (2010)
C-24. Protection of Education
Employees from Workplace Bullying
NEA-New Mexico believes that education
employees should be protected from workplace
bullying. Bullying creates an unhealthy and
unprofessional power imbalance between bully
and target. The Association encourages school
boards to establish written policies designed to
ensure the elimination of bullying, harassment,
and intimidation of students and staff by other
students and staff. Workplace bullying can
include, but is not limited to:
a. Systematic aggressive communication
b. Manipulation of work assignments
c. Repeated, health-harming mistreatment
d. Verbal and/or mental abuse
e. Conduct which is threatening,
harassing, humiliating, degrading,
intimidating, or sabotaging. (2018)
PREPARATION
C-25. Accreditation of Teacher
Preparation Institutions
NEA-New Mexico believes in the
importance of national accreditation for all
educator preparation institutions and supports
the concept that a single national non-
governmental agency performs this function.
The Association further believes that the
National Council for the Accreditation of
Teacher Education (NCATE) or its successor
organization, The Council for the
Accreditation of Educator Preparation
(CAEP), is the appropriate national accrediting
body. NEA-New Mexico also believes all
New Mexico institutions for educator
preparation must adopt NCATE/CAEP
standards as their minimum requirements.
(2012)
C-26. Curriculum Committees for
Teacher Education
NEA-New Mexico believes that
professional educators and education students
should serve on all curriculum committees at
all institutions having professional educator
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preparation programs. The Association
believes the Secretary of Public Education
should make this mandatory for an approved
program. (2015)
C-27. Professional Development
NEA-New Mexico believes educational
personnel who attend in-service and training
workshops in their schools and within their
systems, as well as out of system, do contribute
to the general improvement of instruction of
children.
The Association believes educational
personnel should receive credit for
participating in such training sessions as
instituted by their employer. Full credit should
be applied for purposes of relicensure by the
Public Education Department, or salary
increments and for training and experience
credit in the state funding formula.
The Association supports cooperation,
coordination, and communication with other
education groups and agencies for the purpose
of identifying and defining quality programs
and promoting measures for the support of
these programs. (2010)
C-28. Standardization of College
Transcripts
NEA-New Mexico believes transferred
credits should be counted in a uniform manner
toward meeting degree requirements at all of
the in-state colleges and universities.
(2013)
C-29. Teacher Preparation Institutes
NEA-New Mexico believes teacher
preparation institutes must provide prospective
teachers, in their first year of training with
hands-on experience in connection with actual
instruction. The Association believes early
actual experience in the classroom, along with
instruction, will produce more effective
educators. (2010)
C-30. High Standards for Non-public and
Home Schools
NEA-New Mexico believes non-public and
home schools must be held to the same
standards of accreditation required of public
schools. The Association also believes that
local public school systems must have the
authority to determine grade placement and/or
credits earned toward graduation for students
entering or re-entering the public school setting
from a non-public or home school setting.
The Association further believes non-public
and home-schooled students participation in
any extra-curricular activities in the public
schools must be fully funded. (2010)
C-31. Library Media Program
NEA-NM believes every student must have
a comprehensive school library media program
within his or her educational setting. The
program should include a certified/licensed
school library media specialist and/ or
qualified educational support professionals: a
variety of print, non-print, and electronic
resources to supplement and complement
curricular, to address the diverse needs of
students and staff, personal, and leisure needs;
relevant technology; and instruction in library
research and information skills. The
Association further believes that school library
media programs are negatively impacted if a
media specialist does not have a substitute
during his or her absence.
The Association encourages increased
funding for school library media programs
from federal, state, and local governments as
well as other sources such public and/ or
private partnerships.(2017)
C-32. Educators for the Hearing/Visually
Impaired
NEA-New Mexico believes the New
Mexico Professional Licensure Unit should
adapt its requirements to recognize the unique
professional preparation required for educators
of the hearing and visually impaired in our
state. (2015)
C-33. Awareness of Students with Head/
Brain Injuries
NEA-New Mexico believes appropriate
teacher training programs should be provided
through workshops, conferences, and college
and university courses for head/brain injury
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identification and awareness for all students
with head/brain injuries. (2013)
C-34. Inclusion of Special Needs Students
NEA-New Mexico believes there must be
increased development and maintenance of
programs to meet students' special needs.
Teachers in these programs must have a major
role in designing the objectives and evaluations
and working with appropriate school and
community personnel to execute these
objectives and evaluations. In order to
implement special education legislation, the
Association believes:
a. The educational environment, using
appropriate instructional materials, support
services, and pupil personnel services, must
match the learning needs of both students with
and students without special needs.
b. Student placement must be based on
individual needs rather than on space
availability or funding, must be examined on a
regular basis to ensure appropriateness, and
should not be made disproportionately by
ethnicity or gender. Necessary building/staff
modifications must be provided to facilitate
such placement.
c. Regular and special education classroom
teachers must have a major role in determining
an individual education program (IEP) and the
appropriateness of educational methods,
materials, professional development, and
supportive services and must receive a copy of
the IEP.
d. Regular and special education teachers,
pupil personnel staff, administrators,
Educational Support Professionals, and parents
must share in planning and implementing the
IEP. Prior to implementation, all necessary
educational materials, professional
development and supportive services must be
provided.
e. All impacted staff members must have an
appeal procedure regarding the
implementation of the IEP, especially in terms
of student placement. The procedure must
include the right to have the dissenting opinion
recorded and attached to the IEP.
f. A plan recognizing individual differences
must be used in a systematic evaluation and
reporting of program development.
g. Limitations must be made in class size,
using methods such as weighted formulas,
modified scheduling, and/or curriculum design
to accommodate the demands of each IEP.
h. Classroom teachers who serve students
with special needs must have scheduled access
to resource personnel.
i. The student's IEP should not be used as
criteria for the evaluation of education
employees.
j. Staff must not be reduced.
k. All staff must be adequately prepared for
their roles through appropriate licensing and
ongoing professional development programs.
l. Adequate released time or funded
additional time must be made available so that
teachers can carry out the increased demands
placed upon them by special education
legislation.
m. Full funding must be provided by local,
state, and federal government. (2012)
C-35. Multi-lingual and Multi-cultural
Training.
NEA-New Mexico believes teachers must
be adequately trained to teach children of
various cultural backgrounds. The Association
believes teacher-training institutions must
provide quality cross-cultural training in their
professional education preparatory programs.
The Association also believes these institutions
should offer courses to increase their
awareness of and sensitivity to New Mexico's
multi-cultural heritage.
The Association believes quality in-
service training in multi-lingual, multi-cultural
education should be provided to all school
personnel. (2012)
C-36. Public School Food Service
Program
NEA-New Mexico, aware that school
boards presently have the responsibility to
establish and implement school breakfast and
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lunch programs, believes in the efficient
management and use of available funds.
The Association believes the
implementation of such food service programs
to be the responsibility of food service
personnel and not be an additional duty
imposed on teachers. (2010)
STUDENT EDUCATION
D-Student Educational Opportunities,
Rights, and Responsibilities
D-1. Educational Opportunities
NEA-New Mexico believes programs in
the public schools must be established to
provide the opportunities for all students to
develop those abilities, attitudes, and habits of
thought and action leading to responsible
citizenship, vocational, career, and technical
effectiveness, and maximum personal
development and fulfillment. All such
programs should provide a comprehensive
program of lifelong learning for the
advancement and promotion of all students
(2015)
D-2. Independent Reading Skills
The Association believes that the
acquisition of the primary language spoken
within the home is the foundation for reading
skills development. The Association also
believes that schools and communities should
work together in raising awareness of the link
between language development and reading
acquisition skills. Emerging literacy skills
begin with the interaction and communication
between children and adults. An increased
number of words spoken to a child during
language development increases future reading
proficiency.
NEA-New Mexico further believes that it is
critical that students become independent
readers to succeed in life and school. Reading
instruction, with appropriate interventions,
especially in the early grades, is essential for
learning in all content areas and for achieving
high standards. (2019)
D-3. Educational Program for English
Language Learners
NEA-New Mexico believes that English
Language Learners (ELL) must have available
to them programs that address their unique
needs and that are committed to providing
equal opportunity to all students, regardless of
their primary language. Programs for ELLs
should emphasize English proficiency while
concurrently providing meaningful instruction
in all other curriculum areas. Age, academic
needs, individual differences in language
acquisition abilities, and environmental factors
must be considered in the planning of a
comprehensive ELL program.
The Association believes ELL students
shall be placed in bilingual/and/or ELL
education programs. Students will receive
instruction in their native language from
qualified educators with appropriate
endorsements until such time as English
proficiency is achieved.
The Association supports the principals of
the “Dream Act” which encourages access for
undocumented students to higher education,
financial aid, in state tuition and to legal
pathway to residency status. (2019)
D-4. Standards for Student Learning
The National Education Association of New
Mexico believes in high standards that describe
clear expectations for what students should
know and be able to do. Throughout the
implementation of content and performance
standards, all students must be provided the
instructional opportunities and learning
conditions necessary to attain the standards,
including but not limited to technology.
The Association supports the development
and use of assessments appropriate to the
standards.
The Association believes that education
employers must include its local affiliates in
the planning, development, implementation,
and refinement of standards, conditions, and
assessments to ensure that-
a. Students, parents/guardians/caregivers,
education employees, community members,
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and governmental officials are involved and
share the accountability
b. Education employees are afforded release
time and/or compensation in order to have
opportunities to work with colleagues on a
regular basis throughout the school year on
how to teach and assess student proficiency in
the standards
c. Full funding and resources are provided
d. Curriculum includes, but is not limited to,
required standards. Standards are introduced
into the curriculum at a rate that allows
education employees opportunities to adapt
their practice, work with each other, and pilot
the work in a concerted fashion
e. Assessments will be used to evaluate each
student's progress toward attaining standards
f. Appropriate attention is given to the needs
and developmental levels of each student
g. Professional development is provided for
all education employees to help align their
practices to the standards
h. Education employees participate in the
review and refinement of standards and
assessments. (2015)
D-5. Assessment of Public School
Students
NEA-New Mexico strongly supports
authentic assessment of students. The
Association believes authentic assessment is
appropriate for the purposes of identifying
learning needs, recommending instructional
activities and describing the progress of
individual students for the sole use of student,
parents and teachers.
The Association opposes the use of
standardized test and/ or assessment when
students with special needs or limited English
proficiency are required to take the same tests
as regular education students without
modifications and/ or accommodations.
The Association believes assessments
should be performance-based and measure
what students should know and be able to do.
The Association believes that these evaluation
instruments should utilize developmentally
appropriate techniques that are bias-free,
reliable, and valid.
The Association opposes the use of
standardized tests that, in any way, deny
students full access to equal educational
opportunities or are used to evaluate teacher
performance. The Association believes
standardized tests should not be administered
when they are:
a. not cognizant of current research on how
children learn (such as learning styles,
multiple intelligences, physical growth,
child development, and maturation);
b. biased on the basis of gender, race,
culture, ethnicity, or socioeconomic level;
c. used as the only criterion for student
placement;
d. invalid, unreliable, out-of-date, or
developmentally inappropriate;
e. used as the sole basis for the allocation of
federal, state, or local funds;
f. used in an exploitative manner by anyone
in commercial enterprise;
g. used to compare classes or schools;
h. used as the sole criterion for graduation or
promotion;
i. used as a criterion for the development of
a state system of classification of schools,
school systems, students or teachers; or
j. used to dictate curriculum in the schools
so teachers are, in fact, “teaching to the test”
rather than testing the students over material in
the designed curriculum. (2019)
D-6. Student Success
NEA-New Mexico believes that sufficient
resources, interventions and program
alternatives should be provided to allow for the
proper placement of each student. (2012)
D-7. Art and Music in the Schools
NEA-New Mexico believes it is extremely
important to educate children in all forms of art
and music. These programs should be taught
by persons properly trained and licensed in
their respective fields.
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The Association believes school districts
should implement such programs where
adequate programs do not exist and should
continue to support existing programs. (2015)
D-8. Geography and New Mexico History
in the Schools
NEA-New Mexico believes it is important
to educate children in geography and New
Mexico History.
The Association believes school districts
should implement such programs where
adequate programs do not exist and continue to
support existing programs. (2017)
D-9. Communication Skills
NEA-New Mexico believes that relating all
forms of communication proficiency is a basic
educational need for expression. Full-time
teachers should be included in every secondary
school to specifically teach various forms of
communication. (2017)
D-10. PreK-12Educational Programs
NEA-New Mexico believes in the creation
of curriculum, guidance and counseling
programs, and health services to meet the
needs of all students in our changing society.
The Association further believes all publicly
funded/public schools educational programs
must be staffed by well trained, fully qualified,
licensed personnel.(2017)
D-11. Day Care
NEA-New Mexico believes that there is
need for quality day care for the children of
working parents. The Association supports the
concept of providing quality day care for the
children of working parents at an affordable
price. (2017)
D-12. Students with Head/Brain Injuries
NEA-New Mexico believes students with
head/brain injuries have the right to
educational programs that best meet their
individual needs, as mandated by state and
federal law. (2017)
D-13. Visually and Hearing Impaired
NEA-New Mexico believes students that
are hearing and visually impaired have the
right to educational programs that best meet
their individual needs, as mandated by state
and federal law. (2015)
D-14. Health Education
NEA-New Mexico believes in
development and implementation of a
comprehensive health education program for
all students in New Mexico. This curriculum
should include mental, emotional, physical
development, substance use and abuse, STD
awareness and prevention and parenting.
(2015)
D-15. Suicide Prevention Programs
NEA-New Mexico supports the
establishment of evidence-based suicide
prevention and intervention programs. The
Association further believes these programs
must be available to the family and classmates
of suicide victims and attempted suicide
victims. (2015)
D-16. Vocational, Career, and Technical
Education
NEA-New Mexico believes preparation of
K-12 children for careers, vocations, and
productive jobs should be a basic policy of
education. The Association also believes K-12
educational programs should be developed for
all children assuring equal opportunity for
career and occupational development. A
continuing program for training, retraining,
advancement, and promotion should be
provided for out-of-school youth and adults.
(2015)
D-17. Inclusion of Students with Special
Needs
NEA-New Mexico believes a free,
appropriate public education should be
provided for all students with special needs in
a least restrictive environment, which is
determined by maximum teacher and parent
involvement. The Association believes there
should be a full continuum of placement
options and services/delivery models available
to students with special needs. Programs
should emphasize a broad range of activities
for responding to students' differing behavioral
patterns, interests, needs, and learning styles.
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The Association believes students with
special needs must have appropriate testing
options matching the processing disorders,
motor skills, and/ or academic developmental
levels or language proficiency of those
students to measure individual progress and
proficiencies. (2015)
D-18. Student Discipline
NEA-New Mexico believes positive
discipline is essential in promoting optimum
learning. High expectations and effective
instruction promote self-control and
responsible behavior in students.
The Association believes its local affiliates
should develop guidelines for effective
disciplinary techniques and believes that
corporal punishment has no place in public
education. Local affiliates should negotiate a
process whereby school employees, parents,
students, and courts will be involved in
identifying disruptive behavior and
prescribing, implementing and evaluating
procedures that will reduce and correct
disruptive behavior.
The Association believes all students should
have the right to due process and an orderly
learning environment.
The Association believes it is the right of
every student to be treated with dignity in a
safe and nurturing environment.
The Association recognizes that policies
promoting educational processes which
emphasize prevention, effective interventions,
and rehabilitation will decrease the use of out-
of-school suspensions, expulsions, and in-
school arrests. (2016)
D-19. Digital Learning
NEA-New Mexico believes that quality
digital learning can create or extend learning
opportunities but cannot replace traditional
education which allows for regular face-to-face
interaction among students, peers, and
instructors.
The Association also believes that students
who participate in digital learning should
receive the preparation and support necessary
to enable them to function effectively in an
online environment, which at a minimum
should include:
a. Supervision and instruction provided by
fully qualified, certified, and/or licensed
educators
b. Appropriate services, equipment,
technical support, libraries, and
laboratories
c. Accurate course descriptions and clear
expectations prior to enrollment
d. Reasonable student to instructor ratios
that allow for individualized interaction
with instructors
e. Opportunities for appropriate student-
to-student interaction
f. Curriculum approved courses
comparable to similar courses delivered
by traditional means and approved by
the state education agency
g. Courses that are transferable from
school to school or for graduation
requirements (2017)
D-20. Student Rights and
Responsibilities
NEA-New Mexico believes that basic
student rights include the right to safe and
stable school environments; free inquiry and
expression; freedom of the press; due
process; gender equity; freedom of
association; freedom of peaceful assembly
and petition; participation in the governance
of the school, college, and university;
freedom from discrimination; freedom from
commercial exploitation, including the
payment of subminimum wages; and equal
educational opportunity.
The Association also believes that each
of these rights carries with it a comparable
responsibility. Student responsibilities
include regular school attendance,
conscientious effort in classroom work and
assessments, and conformance to school
rules and regulations that do not abrogate
these rights. Students share with the
administration and faculty a responsibility
to develop a climate within the school that
is conducive to wholesome learning and
living. No student has the right to interfere
with the education of other students. It is the
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responsibility of each student to respect the
rights of each person involved in the
educational process.
The Association further believes that in
order to protect the safety of students it is
necessary to protect the confidentiality of
student information and data. The
Association opposes the collection and
dissemination of student data by any
external organization, company, or
institution without the express written
consent of the student and/or
parent/guardian.
The Association believes that student
rights must be safeguarded when students
are involved in commercial premium
campaigns and fundraising activities.
(2017)
POLITICAL POWER
E. Effective Use of Political Power
E-1. Tuition Tax Credits and Vouchers
NEA-New Mexico believes tuition tax
credits and voucher plans, and/or other
funding/financial arrangements—under which
K-12 private school education is subsidized by
federal or state tax moneys—could lead to
racial, economic, and social isolation of
children and undermine our commitment to the
public school system.
The Association opposes all federal and
state legislation designed to establish or
implement such plans. (2015)
E-2. NEA-New Mexico EdPAC
NEA-New Mexico believes school
employees must constitute a strong political
force to secure legislation for the betterment of
education and the election of candidates who
view education’s needs as a priority.
The Association supports NEA-New
Mexico EdPAC (Educational Political Action
Committee) and believes that school
employees and friends of education should
support it through individual involvement and
contributions.
The Association believes each of its
affiliates should work to promote the election
of Friends of Education to all governmental
bodies including state and local boards of
education. (2015)
E-3. Funding Formula Training and
Experience Index
NEA-New Mexico believes that the New
Mexico Public Funding Formula Training and
Experience (T&E) Index must provide the
financial undergirding for the salary structure
created in the education reform act of 2003.
NEA-New Mexico further believes that the T
& E Index should flexibly support salary
structures consistent with the three-tiered
licensure structure and must not be used to
institute state policy intended to force specific
salary structures on local districts and
employees. (2015)
E-4. Legislative Record
NEA-New Mexico believes school
employees of New Mexico have a right to be
informed of the voting records of their
legislators in order to make an intelligent
decision at the polls. (2015)
E-5. Salaries for Legislators
NEA-New Mexico believes New Mexico
legislators should be paid a salary or fair and
equitable per diem. (2015)
E-6. Children’s Code
NEA-New Mexico believes a continuing
study of the state children’s code is imperative
because of the increased number of offenses
committed by juveniles and increased violence
in the schools.
The Association believes stringent
enforcement of the State Children’s Code as
well as adequate funding for its
implementation is necessary. (2015)
E-7. Standard of Living
NEA-New Mexico opposes all legislation
threatening to lower the standard of living of
school employees and working people in the
State of New Mexico, such as the proposed
“Right to Work” legislation and Section 14b of
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the Taft Hartley Act or repeal of New Mexico's
prevailing wage act. (2015)
EFFECTIVE LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS
F. Building Effective Local Affiliates
F-1. Leadership Training
NEA-New Mexico believes in the
development of individual talents and
continuous training of future leaders as
essential to maintaining a progressive and
dynamic Association. (2015)
F-2. The Local Association and
Instruction
NEA-New Mexico believes school
employees have a right to speak unequivocally
on all matters related to curriculum and
instruction. The Association further believes
that Local affiliates are the vehicle through
which the voice of school employees is heard
at all levels where instructional policies,
including those on the selection and use of
instructional materials, are made. (2015)
F-3. Continuing Membership
NEA-New Mexico believes in the concept
of unified professional membership and
payroll deduction on a continuing basis. The
Association believes educators should promote
acceptance of these concepts by their local
associations and employers. (2015)
F-4. Student Organizations
NEA-New Mexico believes the Student
National Education Association of New
Mexico (SNEA-NM) is an appropriate
organization within the Association to develop
early interest in, and commitment to, the
profession of education. The Association
believes its local affiliates should work with
Student NEA organizations. (2015)
F-5. Professional Development Resource
Centers
NEA-New Mexico believes regional
professional development resource centers
provide an opportunity for school employees to
share resources, experiences, and ideas for
professional growth. The Association believes
that these centers should be established in
sufficient numbers to be accessible to all
school employees. (2015)
F-6. Retired Members
NEA-New Mexico believes its local
affiliates should organize campaigns to solicit
membership from retired school employees as
they are a valuable asset whose expertise
should be utilized in all areas of the
association. (2015)
F-8. Public Relations
NEA-New Mexico believes school
employees should place a maximum emphasis
upon efforts to inform policy makers and the
general public of accomplishments, situations,
and conditions within their local school
district. (2015)
HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS
G. Promoting Human and Civil Rights in
Education
G-1. Family and Medical Leave
NEA-New Mexico believes school
employees should be granted leaves to fulfill
maternal, paternal, and family medical
responsibilities. Absences related to child
bearing or adoption should be treated as
temporary disabilities for job-related purposes.
Policies should recognize the rights of the
school employee to determine initial and
terminal dates of the leave. The Association
further believes extended leaves of absence,
without pay, but without loss of up to two years
rights or benefits, should be available to school
employees. (2017)
G-2. Multi-lingual and Multi-cultural
Training
NEA-New Mexico supports the concept of
providing the opportunity for multi-lingual,
multi-cultural education to meet the needs of
students in the State of New Mexico. (2018)
G-3. Equal Employment Opportunities
NEA-New Mexico believes all public
education employers in New Mexico must
provide equal employment opportunities to all.
The employment guidelines must be the
product of a working committee, which
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includes representatives of all affected
categories of employees and community
representatives.
The Association further believes that the
employment practices of all public education
employers must permit no discrimination as
defined in the United States or New Mexico
Constitutions; federal statute or regulation; and
state statute (including 28-1-7 NMSA 1978) or
regulation. (2017)
G-4. Protection of Children
A. NEA-New Mexico believes all children
should be protected from child abuse and
neglect. Education employees are in a position
to recognize abuse or neglect inflicted on
children.
The Association supports the current state
statute requiring educators to report instances
of suspected child abuse or neglect directly to
the appropriate authorities.
The Association believes its local affiliates
should:
1. Cooperate with community organizations
to increase public awareness and
understanding of child abuse and neglect; and
2. Encourage development of in-service
programs and university workshops stressing
identification of neglected or abused children,
reporting procedures, and available
appropriate learning activities.
The Association supports the strong
enforcement of current laws dealing with child
pornography. We oppose the exploitation of
children.
The Association supports statutory and
regulatory provisions that preclude the
licensure or initial employment of persons who
have been convicted of committing crimes
against children.
B. NEA-New Mexico believes that
regardless of the immigration status of students
or their parents, every student has the right to a
free public education in an environment free
from harassment. Schools are safe havens, and
NEA-New Mexico opposes all Immigrant
Control & Enforcement (ICE) raids on or near
school property. (2017)
G-5. Community Environmental
Awareness
NEA-NM believes that strict monitoring
should be required of nuclear facilities,
radioactive/chemical pollutants and waste
incineration. The Association believes the
development and implementation of new
technologies for the safe transport and
recycling of nuclear and chemical wastes is
necessary. The Association supports
programs that would educate the public to the
dangers and benefits of nuclear waste disposal,
and health risks associated with waste
incineration.
The Association believes that the people of
a state should make the final determination as
to whether or not toxic and/or nuclear waste
processing sites or the transportation of toxic
and/or nuclear waste shall be within their state
boundaries. Contiguous states directly affected
environmentally by processing sites should be
included in the final determination. (2017)
G-6. Nuclear or Radioactive Facilities
NEA-New Mexico believes that strict
monitoring should be required of nuclear
facilities, radioactive/chemical pollutants and
waste incineration. The Association believes
the development and implementation of new
technologies for the safe transport and
recycling of nuclear and chemical wastes is
necessary. The Association supports programs
that would educate the public to the dangers
and benefits of nuclear power, recycling of
nuclear wastes, and the problems of nuclear
waste disposal, and health risks associated with
waste incineration.
The Association believes that the people of
a state should make the final determination as
to whether or not toxic and/or nuclear waste
processing sites or the transportation of toxic
and/or nuclear waste shall be within their state
boundaries. Contiguous states directly affected
environmentally by processing sites should be
included in the final determination. (2017)
G-7. Violence in the Schools
NEA-New Mexico believes all members of
the school community who are the victims of
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school-related physical attack, verbal abuse,
hate crimes, vandalism, or theft should receive
the full support of their local school district.
The Association believes that the school
environment must be free from all forms of
bullying, including physical, psychological,
and cyber bullying. (2018)
G-8. Agency and Institutional Settings
NEA-New Mexico recognizes educational
employees in agency and institutional settings
encounter unique challenges. The Association
supports their efforts to achieve and maintain
human and civil rights for themselves and their
students. (2018)
G-9. Adults with Disabilities
NEA-New Mexico supports education for
adults with disabilities. (2019)
G-10. Equal Rights for All
NEA-New Mexico supports the NEA
Policy Statement on Discipline and the School
to Prison Pipeline that was passed at the 2016
NEA Representative Assembly. (2018)
GOVERNANCE
H. Effective Operational Services
H-1. Members
NEA-New Mexico believes in maintaining
and recruiting members on a continuing basis.
Locals facing or attempting a representational
challenge will be given the Association's
sanction and support unless a conflicting
agreement exists which precludes raiding
and/or take back organizing efforts. (2013)
H-2. Minority Representation
NEA-New Mexico believes it must include
members of ethnic minorities in all its
activities.
The Association believes ethnic minority
participation on its boards and committees
must be at least in proportion to the ethnic
minority membership in the Association.
(2010)
H-3 Educational Support Professionals
NEA-New Mexico believes Educational
Support Professionals (ESP) are essential to
building and maintaining a strong state
association. The Association believes that its
Local affiliates should encourage full and
effective participation of Educational Support
Professionals members. Furthermore, the
Association believes that local affiliates should
encourage ESP members to serve in leadership
roles at all levels of the association. (2010)
COMMUNITY
I. Family, School, and Community
Relationships
I-1 Understanding and Support of Public
Education.
NEA-New Mexico believes the Association
and its affiliates have a responsibility to
promote understanding and support of public
education and educators and to encourage wide
community and parental participation in
achieving and maintaining educational
excellence. (2010)
I-2. Partnerships with Parents
NEA-New Mexico believes parental and
family involvement in a child’s education is
vital to academic success and individual
development. The Association supports
actions that will improve the capability of local
schools and local school districts to establish
programs for increasing partnerships that
respond to the varying needs of parents and the
home. (2010)
I-3. Parent and Family Training
NEA-New Mexico supports the provision
and funding of training programs that prepare
parents or guardians to take an active role in
their child’s education. The Association
believes these programs should meet the needs
of parents or guardians by using a variety of
methods that will provide support for parents
or guardians to become more active in both
their child’s classroom and the education
process. (2019)
I-4. Business Support for Public
Education
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NEA-New Mexico believes that the
business community and the Association
should work cooperatively in promoting,
planning, implementing, and evaluating
school-community-business partnerships in
the support of public education. The
Association welcomes from the business
community supplementary activities such as
release of employees for parent-teacher
conferences and other school-related activities,
funding for scholarships, and the donation of
specialized equipment.
The Association believes that both private
and public New Mexico employers should
provide paid leave to allow parents to
participate in school activities that occur
during the parent’s normal working hours.
(2013)
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General Information about Resolutions
NEA-New Mexico resolutions are formal expressions of opinion, intent, belief, or position of the
Association. They are intended to set forth general concepts in clear, concise language, to be broad
in nature, and to state the positions of the Association positively and without ambiguity. NEA-New
Mexico resolutions shall be consistent with the goals of the Association as stated in the Preamble of
the Constitution.
The Resolutions Committee is responsible for the preparation and presentation of proposed new
resolutions and proposed amendments to existing resolutions. May 31 is the deadline for submission
of proposed resolutions or amendments to be processed by the Committee. New resolutions to be
submitted from the floor of the Delegate Council must have been presented at the open hearing. Final
adoption of resolutions is accomplished by majority vote at the Annual Delegate Council.
Outlined below are specific provisions of NEA-New Mexico's governance documents regarding
resolutions and related matters.
Bylaws of the National Education Association of New Mexico
3. DELEGATE COUNCIL
3.6 Powers and Duties
Delegates to the Council meeting shall:
d. consider and vote on NEA-NM resolutions.
7. COMMITTEES
7.1 Standing Committees of the Association shall be:
b. Resolutions
(1) This committee shall consist of at least one member from each Region and no more than three
(3) from any single Region.
(2) Members may not serve more than two (2) consecutive three-year terms.
7.8 Rules
a. The President of the Association shall appoint the chairperson for each of the committees except
the Budget Committee.
b. Each Committee shall establish its own rules and upon their approval by the Board of Directors
of the Association, they have the effect of being rules of the Association; provided there is no conflict
with the Constitution, Bylaws or Articles of Incorporation of the Association.
Standing Rules of the National Education Association of New Mexico
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RULE 7. RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE AND PROCEDURE
A. Duties
The Resolutions Committee shall prepare and present to the Delegate Council proposed resolutions
for adoption. They shall be printed and made available to delegates before action is scheduled thereon
by the Delegate Council. The form and text of each resolution shall be approved by the majority vote
of the Resolutions Committee, before presentation to the Delegate Council; provided, however, that
a minority report may be presented to the Delegate Council upon a one-third (1/3) favorable vote of
the total Resolutions Committee's eligible voters.
Such minority report shall be printed with the majority report and shall be presented by the
chairperson of the Resolutions Committee concurrently with the majority report. The chairperson of
the Resolutions Committee shall present the report of the committee, together with any minority
report, to the Delegate Council for consideration at the time and place designated in the agenda.
B. Open Hearing
The committee shall hold at least one (1) open hearing on proposed resolutions at a time and place
to be announced in the printed program.
C. Procedure for Submitting Resolutions
Resolutions from delegates or members designated for consideration by the Resolutions
Committee shall be submitted to the Executive Director or the chairperson or members of the
Resolutions Committee not later than ninety (90) days prior to the Delegate Council meeting.
After the deadline, all new Resolutions to be submitted from the floor for consideration must have
been presented at the open hearings with sufficient copies to be presented to all delegates at the
Delegate Council meeting.
All Resolutions adopted by the NEA-NM Delegate Council shall be accepted and publicized as
official NEA-NM resolutions.
Resolutions adopted by the Delegate Council shall continue in force without further action in
succeeding years. At any council session, at the time of the Resolutions Committee report, a
resolution may be designated for action by the Delegate Council or the Resolutions Committee.
Such Resolutions shall be submitted to the Delegate Council by number. If there is no objection,
they will be considered for adoption en masse together with all other Resolutions to which there are
no specific objections. Resolutions objected to when introduced by number will be set aside to be
considered individually.
The Resolutions Committee met on Saturday, August 21, 2021. No proposed amendments
were received by the committee prior to the May 31 deadline.
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New Resolutions
None
Amendments to resolutions
Recommendation: The Resolutions Committee recommends a do-pass for all the amendments.
The following proposed amendments to resolution was adopted by majority vote of the committee.
Strikethroughs represent deletions. Bold underlined text represents proposed additions.
A-1. Federal and State Support of Education
NEA-New Mexico believes that the funding of public elementary and secondary education is a
major responsibility of the federal and state government. It seeks federal support in accordance
with the following principles:
a. An increasing portion of public funds should be for direct instruction of students;
b. Local governing boards must be fiscally independent, and restrictive limits must not be imposed
on their budgets or long-term borrowing;
c. State and federal mandates affecting public education programs must be accompanied by
adequate and equitable funding;
d. The amount of aid must be generally predictable for long-range planning and specifically
predictable for year-to-year planning;
e. Present programs of specific aid must be expanded and improved by consolidation and
simplification of administration;
f. Public funded services for nonpublic school students must be strictly limited to medical and
dental care, public welfare programs, school lunch and milk programs, and public safety services such
as fire and police protection, which are budgeted and administered through the appropriate public
agencies; and
g. Federal legislation must comply with civil rights statutes, be consistent with the constitutional
provision respecting an establishment of religion, and provide for judicial review as to its
constitutionality.
The Association opposes providing any public revenues to sectarian pre-K through 12 schools. The
Association also opposes providing such revenues to nonsectarian pre-K through 12 private schools
or to nonpublic school students in pre-K through 12 education, unless such revenues are used for
educational services that are not available in public schools to which students have reasonable
access. (2010)
It seeks state support in accordance with the following principles:
a. Adequate funding of bilingual programs that develop biliterate students that is
inclusive of all languages including Spanish and Native Americans;
b. Community Schools;
c. Adequate funding of Special Education to meet the specific needs of individual
student’s Individual Education Plan. (2021)
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A-4. Fringe Benefits
NEA-New Mexico believes comprehensive programs for employee's benefits should be provided,
including, but not limited to:
a. An adequate, continuously updated, retirement program
b. Employer-financed group health insurance to 7580%
c. Employer-financed group life insurance
d. Employer-financed group disability income insurance
e. Sick leave benefits, with unlimited accumulation
f. Reimbursement for unused sick leave
g. Paid personal leave
h. Paid professional leave
i. Paid Maternity leave/paternity leave, including adoption
j. Paid Family medical leave
k. Paid sabbatical leave
l. Payroll deductions
m. Tuition reimbursement
n. Severance benefits
o. Tax-sheltered benefits
p. Personal assault/battery protection
q. Workers’ Compensation
r. Unemployment Compensation.
s. Dependent College / Vocational Savings Plan
t. Teacherage housing for educational employees
u. Increase Educational tax rebates
v. Free or substantially reduced child care for education employees.
NEA-New Mexico believes comprehensive programs for employee benefits are a vital part of
school employee compensation. School employee benefit packages should compare favorably with
income in other professions and occupations requiring comparable preparation. (2013) (2021)
A-8. Instructional Supplies
NEA-New Mexico believes that full funding should be provided for the needs of public education.
It is the responsibility of the New Mexico Legislature to adequately fund the New Mexico Public
School Funding Formula in order that local boards of education can meet their responsibility to
provide instructional supplies and resources so that each school in a District meets standards for
educational excellence.
The Association believes the practice of spending personal funds on instructional supplies relieves
the local board of education of its responsibilities. It also effectively reduces all efforts of the
Association to gain public and legislative support for financial needs of schools.
Individualized technology requirements should be funded and/or reimbursed to the
employee. This includes the technology support necessary to meet the diverse expectations of
all remote work regardless of current educational setting. (2019) (2021)
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C-6. Class Size
NEA-New Mexico believes that excellence in the classroom can best be attained by small class
size, particularly in grades pre-K through 12, which allows for the optimum development of a
student's potential. Class size, secondary class loads, case loads and daily student-teacher contacts
must allow for individual attention to each pupil. Class size must include all students’ i.e. Special
education students. The Association further believes that excessive class size hinders the teaching
and learning process and is disruptive to a positive educational environment.
The State Department of Education and all Districts must adhere to minimum class size
limits, secondary class loads and case loads as defined in statute. In addition, all waiver
procedures and protocols must be followed.
The Association also believes the State Department of Education should, on a 40-day, 80-day and
120-day count yearly basis, collect and report accurate class size data, not based on averages, that
reflects the experience of students and educators. This data should be utilized to assure state statute
is adhered to. (2019) (2021)
C-8. National Certification
NEA-New Mexico believes the profession must grant recognition to an individual who has,
voluntarily, met qualifications specified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
(NBPTS). NEA-New Mexico further believes that the NBPTS must be composed of a majority of
practicing public school teachers.
The Association also believes the periodic evaluation of such certification procedures is necessary
to ascertain whether cultural, economic, gender, sexual orientation / gender identification, racial,
or age bias is perpetuated by the requirements for certification. (2010) (2021)
C-10. Substitute Teachers
NEA-NM believes that substitute teachers perform a vital function in the maintenance and
continuity of daily education and should therefore be compensated accordingly. The Association
condemns the practice of assigning substitute teachers to regular positions for an extended duration
of time. Positions created by extended absence should be filled by available licensed teachers who
are eligible to be placed on contractual status by the school district. The Association believes
substitutes must be provided for all instructional positions. The Association opposes the practices of
replacing absent teachers by dispersing students to other classrooms. In the absence of available
licensed teachers, the Association believes educational assistants licensed to substitute can substitute
within their assigned duties, provided they receive additional compensation above their regular daily
pay. The Association opposes the use of Educational Support Professionals not assigned to a
classroom setting as substitutes. The Association also opposes the use of individuals such as
Educational Support Professionals, part-time employees, or employees hired through private agencies
to cover classes. The Association further opposes requiring teachers to substitute during their
preparation time. The Association supports the right of substitute employees to organize for collective
bargaining purposes. (2012) (2021)
C-12. Academic Freedom
NEA-New Mexico believes academic freedom and professional autonomy for all teachers
educators is essential if the educational system is to serve, teach, guide and help maintain a sense of
a free society. Academic freedom for educators must include respect from members of the community
they serve before they can teach rights and responsibilities of individuals. They must be free to search
for truth, be taken seriously in considering new educational plans, and be able to express their ideas
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objectively without fear of penalty, degradation or reprimand. They, as organized groups, as well
as individuals, must be permitted to evaluate and review controversial issues involving educational
trends. (2010) (2021)
C-13. Employee Stress
NEA-New Mexico believes its local affiliates, in cooperation with local school authorities, should
develop stress management programs to facilitate the recognition, prevention, and treatment of stress-
related problems or mental health concerns.
The Association further believes the harmful effects of stress on teachers and other school
personnel must be recognized. The Association believes these procedures must ensure confidentiality
and treatment without personal jeopardy.
The Association further supports the use of Sick Leave days to address mental health
concerns when needed. (2010) (2021)
C-18. Conditions of Work
NEA-New Mexico believes that good working conditions for employees are necessary for a proper
learning environment for the school children of New Mexico. The Association encourages local
education associations, administrators and governing boards to exercise innovation in the
improvement of working conditions through the collective bargaining process.
The Association believes conditions will improve when: (1) school personnel become involved in
the decision-making and evaluation process, (2) school administrators support increased employee
responsibility, and (3) school employees, as members of their local professional association, accept
both employee rights and their responsibilities for establishing conditions that increase their
effectiveness in the classroom. (2010) (2021)
C-24. Protection of Education Employees from Workplace Bullying
NEA-New Mexico believes that education employees should be protected from workplace
bullying. Bullying creates an unhealthy and unprofessional power imbalance between bully and
target. The Association encourages school boards to establish written policies designed to ensure the
elimination of bullying, harassment, and intimidation of students and staff by other students and staff
(including certified, non-certified and administration), parents or guardians, and contractors.
Workplace bullying can include, but is not limited to:
a. Systematic aggressive communication
b. Manipulation of work assignments
c. Repeated, health-harming mistreatment
d. Verbal and/or mental abuse
e. Conduct which is threatening, harassing, humiliating, degrading, intimidating, or sabotaging,
and/or displaying intention to target specific individual(s). (2018) (2021)
C-27. Professional Development
NEA-New Mexico believes educational personnel who attend in-service and training workshops
in their schools and within their systems, as well as out of system, do contribute to the general
improvement of instruction of children.
The Association believes educational personnel should receive compensation and/or credit for
participating in such training sessions as instituted by their employer. Such training sessions should
be held during contract hours. If scheduled outside of contract hours, it shall be both optional
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and compensated at the employee’s daily rate of pay. Full credit should be applied for purposes
of relicensure by the Public Education Department, or salary increments and for training and
experience credit in the state funding formula.
The Association supports cooperation, coordination, and communication with other education
groups and agencies for the purpose of identifying and defining quality programs and promoting
measures for the support of these programs. (2010) (2021)
D-11. Day Care
NEA-New Mexico believes that there is need for quality day care for the children of working parents. The
Association supports the concept of providing quality day care for the children of working parents at an
affordable price, including free or reduced child care for educational employees. (2017) (2021)
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This 136th NEA-NM Delegate Council is dedicated to
WILHELMINA YAZZIE
2021 NEA Human & Civil Rights Award Winner: Wilma Mankiller
Memorial Award Nominated by NEA-New Mexico on December 4, 2020
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