top of page
NEW MEXICO
accomplishments
2025
MINIMIZING CLASSROOM DISTRACTIONS
Our Union supported legislation which will make it easier for school districts to implement cell phone usage policies to discourage distractions during instruction.
SB 11 directs each school district to develop and implement a wireless communication device policy for their students. These district-level policies shall be inclusive of student individual education plans and shall be published on the district’s website. State funding is available for implementation of these adopted policies.
HIGHER WAGES FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION WORKERS
Our Union secured a 4% flat raise for all educational employees and ensured funding to continue $15/hour minimum wage for hourly employees working in public education.
Funding for raises for educational employees (K-12 through Higher Ed) settled at a
flat 4%. We also protected the $15 minimum wage we previously won for
educational workers.
OPPORTUNITIES
FOR RETIRED EDUCATORS
Our Union supported and won greater options for retired educators to return to work, easing our educator shortage.
SB 133 expands two different options for retired educators to return to work in our
public K12 schools and higher education institutions. The legislation increases the
part-time earning potential for educators to $25,000 without suspending their
pension; and, it also extends the ability for an educational retiree to return to work for up to 60 months at full pay, without suspending their pension.
"GROW YOUR
OWN TEACHERS" SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING
Our Union advocated for a restoration of funding for the Grow Your Own Teachers Act, which provides scholarships for any classified K12 employee who wants to pursue a teaching degree.
HB 2 includes dedicated funding of $300,000 for this critical program which has helped dozens of aspiring teachers achieve their degrees at New Mexico higher education institutions.
STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION FACULTY
Our Union championed a program which will help adjunct and contingent faculty more quickly discharge their federal student loans under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Act.
HB 69 introduces a multiplier of 4.35 when calculating time worked under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Act. Specifically, this legislation will more quickly allow adjunct instructors to have their loans forgiven based on their public service as instructors at institutions of higher education in New Mexico.
BETTER PAY FOR SCHOOL NURSES
Our Union supported legislation which improves pay for K12 school nurses which will bring more skilled health professionals into our schools and pay them for their advanced credentials and
certifications.
HB 195 aligns K12 school nurse pay to the existing three-tier pay system and
introduces pay differentials for Nationally Board Certified Nurses who choose to
work in our schools.
bottom of page