NMSD community fights back proposal to change state funding for deaf students
Many in the New Mexico School for the Deaf community fought back against a bill proposed by two New Mexico legislators that wanted to establish a powerful “state coordinator” position that could influence allocation of funds for the education of deaf children. It caused a controversy because it was interpreted by some as an attempt to siphon money from NMSD. Supporters of the bill said they are only trying to provide equal resources to deaf students outside of NMSD.
The bill, HB 237, introduced by Rep. Antonio “Moe” Maestas (D) and sponsored by Rep. Rebecca Dow (R), was introduced on February 2, 2021, but will die as a tabled bill with the New Mexico legislative session set to end this week.
[HB 237 EXCERPT:]
”…[NEW MATERIAL] DEAF SERVICES COORDINATOR--CREATED-- DUTIES.--The department shall employ a "deaf services coordinator" who shall: A. work closely with school districts and charter schools in which deaf or hard-of-hearing students are enrolled and with the New Mexico school for the deaf to ensure that the range of services needed by a deaf or hard-of-hearing student will be provided in the most efficient, equitable and cost effective manner; B. oversee the equitable distribution of deaf-related resources to all deaf and hard-of-hearing students statewide;…”
On February 15, Rafe Martinez, who runs the Albuquerque Sign Language Academy, which has between 60 to 70 students who are deaf or are on IEP plans who take classes with other hearing or Coda students, and receives $2.5 million in the past budget cycle, told KRQE News that NMSD students receive almost $100,000 more in funding per student than other schools around the state based on his own calculations that alleges NMSD only serves 100 children.
[KRQE News Clip: “…Lawmakers say New Mexico‘s schools for the deaf get almost $100,000 more in funding per student than other schools around the state that also serve students who are deaf or hard of hearing. A bipartisan bill is asking the New Mexico Public Education Department to make it fairer. Rafe Martinez is the executive director of the Albuquerque Sign Language Academy. He says his charter school is like any other public school. “We receive funding…”
The NMSD superintendent Dr. Rosemary Gallegos responded that this was “misinforming the public” and that its budget covers a sprawling array of statewide services that includes 1,200 hearing screenings in 2020.
[Quote text: “It is simply not true that the New Mexico School for the Deaf serves only 100 children. I don’t know what reasons Representative Dow has for misinforming the public… The School for the Deaf serves 700 children in the state…” -- Dr. Rosemary Gallegos
NMSD receives a portion of its funding through a permanent land grant, which brings in revenue from oil and grazing. It’s in the NM constitution. The school received about $18 million in fiscal year 2020. So any attempt to touch NMSD funding would raise constitutional concerns.
Dr. Jennifer Herbold, the Director of Instruction at NMSD, said you can’t put a value on what NMSD provides because it includes early intervention services, K-12 education, student life and after-school programs, among other services.
Dr. Jennifer Herbold: NMSD has several different programs that we oversee: the instructional program, the early intervention program, and an outreach center for educational consultation training. The three programs are massive. We serve a total of 700 students. Many people do not realize the size of our outreach program that supports families all over the state.
Alex: On February 22, there was a Zoom hearing before the House Health and Human Services Committee that had between 200 to 300 people watching online. A poll for Zoom attendees showed that 89% was opposed to HB 237.
Here are some clips of those who commented in opposition to the bill.
Man #1: “I’m opposed to this bill.”
Woman #1: “HB 237 was drafted without the consultation and due respect for NMSD and their leaders.”
Man #2: “The most marginalized students in the state will find themselves even more marginalized.”
Student #1: “Please oppose this bill. Thank you.”
Woman #2: “Deaf children feel happier because they have 100% communication access.”
Now, here are clips of those who supported the bill.
Man #3: “We need to support other students who are in other schools.”
Male #4: “I want to thank my mother and Rafe, who started ASLA for me so I could interact with hearing and hard of hearing students instead of being so far apart in Santa Fe and all over the state.”
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**Two days later, on February 24, the lawmakers in the committee discussed the bill amongst themselves on another Zoom hearing. Rep. Maestas admitted that he never reached out to the NMSD about the bill.
Rep. Dow suggested to the committee that the NMSD model is not successful because students are graduating with about a third grade reading level and are leaving school “functionally illiterate.”
(Clip of Rep. Dow): “… and they are graduating with a 2.8 to 4.5 grade level. The rest of NM graduates with a 10 grade level. That’s not great, but at 2.8 to 4.5, and they leave school functionally illiterate….”
In 2016, Rep. Maestas introduced a house memorial (a type of bill) that wanted to study the idea of converting the NMSD to a four-year collegiate program. Rafe Martinez spoke on behalf of the concept. Many in the NMSD community showed up at the Roundhouse to object. So it is a bit of history repeating itself.
Corina Gutierrez, the NMSD Alumni Association president, said she was disappointed in what Rafe Martinez was trying to do.
Corina Gutierrez: I was very disappointed in him for trying to convert NMSD into a four-year college program. I confronted him about it. Now this had happened for a second time. I don’t understand what he is trying to do to our school. It’s been established there long before New Mexico was even a state. So why is he trying to target it, to take from it? If he wants money, he can ask someone else, not take it from NMSD.
Alex: I reached out to Rafe Martinez and both lawmakers. Martinez said the intent of the bill was to give extra resources to 80% of K-12 deaf and hard of hearing students who do not exist under the umbrella of NMSD. He claimed that the NMSD refused to help him and his deaf son with multiple disabilities so he started his own charter school.
Rep. Dow said in her district, there are families asking that their child receive equitable services in their school district.
The NMSD said they don’t know where Rafe Martinez’s claim of the school refusing his child comes from.
Regarding school funding, the NMSD said the process with hearings made it clear that the NM Constitution does not allow for funding to be taken from NMSD.
So, that’s what has been happening in New Mexico.
**Correction: Rep. Dow did not actually say that NMSD students were graduating with a third grade reading level, but she was referring to general deaf education statistics while talking about the bill."
https://www.krqe.com/news/politics-government/legislature/new-mexico-lawmakers-want-equal-funding-for-deaf-hard-of-hearing-students/
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=484108121791093
https://kfoxtv.com/news/local/no-charges-filed-in-crash-that-killed-las-cruces-public-schools-superintendent
https://www.krqe.com/news/politics-government/legislature/new-mexico-lawmakers-want-equal-funding-for-deaf-hard-of-hearing-students/