Dear Parents and Staff of Silver Schools Community,

I am reaching out to share crucial information that directly impacts the educational framework of our community, especially our esteemed Cliff Schools. The Public Education Department (PED) has proposed significant changes to public school calendars and instructional hours, posing a substantial threat to the successful educational model we have developed and sustained in our district for the upcoming school year.  Last spring, I along with other superintendents from around the state lobbied forcefully to ensure that additional days were not mandated to our school calendars in House Bill 130. The Legislative Education Study Committee, likewise, supported this recommendation and presented HB 130 in hours, not days. The legislature heard our collective voices and settled on approving the statute that focused on increasing hours (not days). This compromise gave school districts local control on how those hours were applied to our calendars.

Silver Consolidated Schools currently operates on a calendar with 173 student days, a schedule that has proven effective for our community. However, the proposed changes by the PED threaten this established system, especially impacting our Cliff Schools, which has successfully operated a full-time 4-day per week schedule for many years.

Proposed Changes and Their Implications:

1. Instructional Time Expansion: The PED suggests extending the school year to between 181 to 205 instructional days, requiring at least 1,140 instructional hours annually. This represents a stark departure from the legislature’s intention and would disrupt our calendar and the thriving system at Cliff Schools.
2. Alteration of the School Week Structure: Over 50% of school weeks would need to be five days long, challenging the four-day week model, a cornerstone of our educational effectiveness and community satisfaction at Cliff Schools.
3. K-12 Plus Days and Funding Bias: New funding criteria favoring five-day weeks could disadvantage the successful four-day week model at Cliff Schools.
4. Professional Work Time Exclusion: Planning and training are excluded from instructional hours, diminishing the comprehensive educational approach crucial to the success of Cliff Schools.
5. Stricter Accreditation and Budget Rules: New rules demanding compliance with specific budget allocations could limit our flexibility in addressing the unique needs of our students

Legislators’ Concerns Reinforcing Our Position:

• Rep. Andres Romero, House Education Committee Chair: Voiced concerns about PED’s rule-making process bypassing the legislative process, echoing our worries about the loss of local control.
• Senator Bill Soules, Senate Education Committee Chair: Criticized the lack of research and effective communication plans regarding these changes, calling for a significant campaign for such substantial rule implementation.
• Rep. Mirabal-Moya, Educator in Los Lunas: Expressed alarm over the potential removal of the four-day week option for rural districts, which is crucial for schools like ours.
• Rep. Joy Garratt: Highlighted contradictions in the proposed changes with HB130 (2023) and expressed deep concerns about the legislative process being circumvented.

These insights from our legislators align with our understanding that PED’s proposed changes could detrimentally affect the educational models that have brought success and recognition to Cliff Schools. The concerns reflect not just on the operational aspects but also on the fundamental issue of local control and legislative intent.

Furthermore, research consistently shows that increased instructional time alone does not guarantee improved student outcomes. Factors like regular attendance, student engagement, smaller class sizes, rigorous learning opportunities, highly qualified teachers, high-quality learning materials, and robust family and community support are more critical contributors to academic success.

I plan to attend the public hearing on December 18th and accompanied by Mrs. Garney and Tommye Allsup, we will present our strong objections at the public hearing. Mrs. Garney’s presence will be particularly impactful given Cliff schools’ exemplary status. My argument will focus on Cliff’s proven success and the need for policies that address the actual challenges, like absenteeism, rather than imposing more and longer days which may not be the solution.

Given the gravity of these proposed changes, your participation in the public comment process is vital. I encourage you to review the proposed changes (6.10.5 NMAC - School Calendar Requirements) and provide your feedback.  A sample rejection letter is included in the email if you choose to reject the proposal and would like a sample letter to draw from in crafting a response.   

• Public Comment Period: Tuesday, November 7, 2023, to Monday, December 18, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. (MDT).  Feedback for proposed rule-making may be submitted via e-mail or mail. Email Rule.Feedback@ped.nm.gov. Please Mention in your written feedback: 6.10.5 NMAC School Calendar Requirements 
• Public Hearing Date: Monday, December 18, 2023, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (MDT).
• Location: Mabry Hall, Jerry Apodaca Education Building, 300 Don Gaspar Avenue, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501.

Your insights and engagement are invaluable in shaping the future of our school calendar and preserving the educational integrity of Cliff Schools and our community.

Thank you for your continued support and engagement in this critical matter.

William D. Hawkins 
Silver Consolidated Schools Superintendent
575-956-2000

Trust, Respect, Optimism, Intentionality, Caring 

Happiness, Engagement, Alliances, Risks, Thoughts