State Education Department Seeks $81 Million to Strengthen Schools

The New Mexico Public Education Department asked state lawmakers to approve $81 million in new recurring general fund spending as part of its Fiscal Year 2027 budget request. The proposal, delivered December 25, represents a 1.7 percent recurring increase to the General Fund and moves several initiatives from one time appropriations into ongoing support. The department said the plan aligns with its strategic priorities and continued work on the Martinez Yazzie action plan.

“At a time when the federal government is stepping back from its commitment to public education, New Mexico is stepping up,” PED Sec. Mariana D. Padilla said. “This budget ensures our students have access to strong reading instruction, qualified teachers and the support they need to succeed, no matter what happens at the federal level.”

The department seeks $62 million targeted to literacy and math, including $22 million to implement structured literacy and Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling training, and $35 million for expanded reading and math summer programs and tutoring, a 21 percent increase. The plan notes more than 6,000 educators have completed LETRS training statewide. Educator recruitment and professional development requests total $37.3 million, with $16.5 million for teacher, administrator and school board training and $20.8 million for teacher pipeline programs aimed at shrinking the 681 statewide teacher vacancies recorded in fiscal year 2025.

For student well being the request includes $42.2 million for universal high quality school meals and $5.2 million to address potential cost increases. The department also proposed $3 million for school safety communications and for panic buttons and interoperable communications, a 113 percent increase, noting mobile panic button systems are active in more than 800 schools.

Career and technical education and out of school learning would see expanded funding, including $45 million for career and technical education and work based learning, $10 million for summer internships, $7.7 million for STEM, A.I. and outdoor classrooms, and $14 million for out of school learning programs. Special education supports include $4 million for inclusive services and streamlined Individualized Education Program systems, following more than 4,000 participants in 92 training offerings.

The request also proposes $16.3 million for standards based assessments and $8.5 million for the statewide student information system to support expanded accreditation and financial transparency, and $29 million for agency operations, a 10 percent increase that covers fixed costs and three new positions. Local officials in McKinley County will see these proposals play out in the legislative budget process next year, where adoption will determine whether districts receive sustained funding for staffing, safety upgrades and expanded student services. Residents, educators and school boards will have opportunities to weigh in during hearings as lawmakers consider how to translate the department request into final appropriations.