By Nicole Maxwell
A New Mexico district court judge ruled the Public Education Department’s mandate that schools must adhere to a 180-day school year is invalid.
Fifth Judicial District Judge Dustin Hunter ruled Monday that the PED’s 180-day minimum school year conflicted with preceding statutes that repealed the 180-day school year in favor of a minimum hours per school year rule.
“Today’s ruling is a huge win for rural New Mexico. The intent of the law is clear and today that was solidified,” Minority House Leader Gail Armstrong, R-Magdalena, said in a news release. “For too long, the governor has failed to recognize how her mandate would have negatively impacted rural communities around the state and has created vast uncertainty for our students and families. Control of our schools at the local level is vital to the success of our communities.”
Hunter also ruled that the PED lacks authority to implement the 180-day school year.
Many rural school districts opted for a four-day school week that fulfills the 1,140 hour school year requirement.
PED was not satisfied with Hunter’s ruling.
“PED firmly believes that our students can achieve better educational outcomes when we maximize learning opportunities, as the rule intended. PED is currently in the process of reviewing the decision for the purposes of determining the appropriate next steps,” PED spokeswoman Janelle Taylor García said in a statement.
Related: Judge halts 180-day mandate
The New Mexico School Superintendents Association with many other school districts and charter schools across the state sued the PED prior to the mandate’s July 1, 2024 implementation date
“The basis of the lawsuit was that the department failed to adequately consider the rule’s impact on rural schools and on those that operate on a four-day school week,” CityDesk reported last May.