PED Proposes Lengthening School Year & NM United CEO Talks New Stadium

New Mexico in Focus (A Production of NMPBS)

Lou DiVizio opens the show with some state headlines including news that a New Mexico State Police Sergeant is also implicated in an alleged multi-state machine gun scheme.

The state Public Education Department wants to expand school calendars, increasing the number of instructional days required for students statewide. This proposal comes months after the Legislature passed House Bill 130, which increased education funding, in large part to accommodate an increase in required instruction hours — bumping those up to 1,140. Those hours included professional development time for teachers. This new rule would change the measuring stick to days — increasing the mandate from 176 to 180 and requiring every one of those 1,140 hours be spent in the classroom with students.

Earlier this month, music teacher Kevin Darrow joined a number of Santa Fe public school teachers who spoke out against PED's change. In a solo interview with Senior Producer Lou DiVizio, Darrow says adding more time in the classroom is not the right answer to solve our state's education problems.

Then, Albuquerque Teachers Federation President Ellen Bernstein and state Rep. Joy Garratt, an Albuquerque Democrat and former teacher, continue the conversation in our studio. They’re concerned about the department’s proposed change. Lou asks the two what the disconnect is between the Public Education Department and a growing number of upset teachers, parents, elected officials and administrators.

Finally this week, New Mexico United CEO and President Peter Trevisani stops by our studio for a one-on-one interview. In partnership with alternative newsweekly 'The Paper.,' editor Andy Lyman asks Trevisani about the Albuquerque City Council's 7-2 vote this month approving a lease for a new soccer stadium for the team — which comes after voters denied the initial idea in 2021.

Segments:

Santa Fe Music Teacher Questions PED Calendar Change Proposal

Correspondent:

Lou DiVizio
Guest:

Kevin Darrow, music teacher, Wood Gormley Elementary School

State Rep., Teachers Union President on PED Calendar Change Proposal

Correspondent:

Lou DiVizio

Guests:

Rep. Joy Garratt, (D) District 29, Bernalillo County

Ellen Bernstein, President, Albuquerque Teachers Federation

NM United's Peter Trevisani on New Stadium Correspondent:

Andy Lyman, editor, The Paper. Guest:

Peter Trevisani, CEO and President, New Mexico United

For More Information:

Public Education Department Proposed Rule Changes

Teachers, lawmakers object to PED's proposed calendar rule change – Santa Fe New Mexican

Governor signs bill extending school learning hours – Santa Fe New Mexican

Albuquerque City Council approves New Mexico United stadium proposal at Balloon Fiesta Park – KOAT