Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed House Bill 6 into law on Monday, April 5, 2021, alongside tribal leaders, legislative sponsors and district representatives in a signing ceremony outside the state capitol.
SANTA FE N.M. – Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed House Bill 6 into law on Monday, April 5, 2021, alongside tribal leaders, legislative sponsors and district representatives in a signing ceremony outside the state capitol. The law is the result of bi-partisan cooperative effort by the New Mexico House of Representatives and the New Mexico Senate. Central Consolidated Schools (CCSD) celebrates the signing, a game changer for CCSD students and families.
“This new law is monumental and it will radically transform Central Schools. We are eager to tackle bridging the educational and social emotional needs of our students. We are also looking forward to working with our community to make sure we invest these new resources with their input,” said Superintendent Daniel P. Benavidez.
Before the law, the state of New Mexico would reduce CCSD State Equalization Guarantee funds by about $15 million, which amounts to 75% of federal impact aid revenues. The new law restores those funds to CCSD.
“This is the beginning of the incredible and exciting hard work ahead to make sure our students learn in top of the line facilities, that they use the latest technology, and that our staff have everything at their disposal to help us produce the best students,” said CCSD Board President Gary Montoya.
From left to right: Board Secretary Christina J. Aspaas, legal counsel Germaine Chappelle, Board President Gary J. Montoya, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, Board Vice President Suzette Jean Haskie, and Superintendent Daniel P. Benavidez
“We are very thankful to our partners in this effort, the Zuni and Gallup school districts, the Navajo Nation and New Mexico Pueblos. We again want to thank the support and commitment of Bill Sponsor Representative Lundstrom, Senator Munoz, former Senator Sanchez, and Representative Alcon; the support of Governor Grisham, Speaker Egolf, President Pro Temp Stewart, Co-sponsors Representative Johnson and Representative Garcia, Representative Allison, and Senator Pinto; and the indispensable bi-partisan support of Senator Sharer, Minority Whip Representative Montoya, Senator Neville and Representative Lane. We applaud these champions of our children for helping us right this historic wrong,” said Superintendent Daniel P. Benavidez.
Present at the bill signing were Board President Gary J. Montoya, Board Vice President Suzette Jean Haskie, Board Secretary Christina J. Aspaas, and Superintendent Daniel P. Benavidez.
A replica of a signed House Bill 6 was presented to the CCSD Board of Education.