New Mexico School for the Arts

NMSA 1978 ch. 22, art. 15F

in effect

NMSA 1978, § 22-15F-1 Short title

22-15F-1. Short title Chapter 22, Article 15F NMSA 1978 may be cited as the "New Mexico School for the Arts Act". Laws 2008, ch. 15, § 1; 2013, ch. 108, § 1.

NMSA 1978, § 22-15F-2 Purpose of act

22-15F-2. Purpose of act The purpose of the New Mexico School for the Arts Act is to provide for the establishment of the "New Mexico school for the arts" as a statewide residential state-chartered charter high school that provides New Mexico students who have demonstrated artistic abilities and potential with the educational opportunity to pursue a career in the arts. Laws 2008, ch. 15, § 2.

NMSA 1978, § 22-15F-3 Definitions

22-15F-3. Definitions As used in the New Mexico School for the Arts Act: A. "board" means the governing body of the school; and B. "school" means the New Mexico school for the arts. Laws 2008, ch. 15, § 3.

NMSA 1978, § 22-15F-4 Purpose of school; school exempt from certain provisions of the Charter Schools Act

22-15F-4. Purpose of school; school exempt from certain provisions of the Charter Schools Act A. The commission may charter a "New Mexico school for the arts" as a statewide residential state-chartered charter school for grades nine through twelve to offer intensive preprofessional instruction in the performing and visual arts combined with a strong academic program that leads to a New Mexico diploma of excellence. B. The school and the board are subject to all the provisions of the Charter Schools Act [Chapter 22, Article 8B NMSA 1978], except Subsection K of Section 22-8B-4 NMSA 1978 and Section 22-8B-4.1 NMSA 1978. The school shall not charge tuition, except as otherwise provided in the Public School Code [Chapter 22 NMSA 1978]. The school shall be supported by state funds in the same manner as other charter high schools authorized by the commission. Laws 2008, ch. 15, § 4.

NMSA 1978, § 22-15F-5 Board created; powers and duties; solicitation of gifts, grants and donations

22-15F-5. Board created; powers and duties; solicitation of gifts, grants and donations The school shall be governed by a board of at least five members constituted as provided in the school's application for charter. No member of the board shall serve as a member of another charter school. The board shall have such powers and perform such duties as required by state and federal law and the school's charter, including soliciting and receiving gifts, grants and donations to further the purposes of the school and to assist the school in providing free or reduced-fee room and board for those residential students who cannot pay all or part of residential costs. Laws 2008, ch. 15, § 5.

NMSA 1978, § 22-15F-6 Admissions criteria; equal opportunity; outreach

22-15F-6. Admissions criteria; equal opportunity; outreach A. The admissions criteria shall be designed to admit students who show exceptional promise or aptitude in the arts and a strong desire to pursue a career in the arts. The admissions process shall be conducted in a way that provides equal opportunity for admission to each prospective student regardless of that student's exposure to previous artistic training and without regard to the student's ability to pay residential costs. B. The board shall ensure, to the greatest extent possible and without jeopardizing admissions standards, that an equal number of students is admitted to the school from each of the state's congressional districts. C. The board shall submit an annual report to the charter schools division and the commission that includes demographic information about both applicants and students admitted to the school, including the counties and the congressional districts represented by the students enrolled and the makeup of the student body in terms of socioeconomic status, gender and ethnicity. D. The school shall conduct outreach activities throughout the state to acquaint potential students with the programs offered by the school. The outreach activities shall include programs for middle school students and workshops for teachers. There shall be no admissions criteria established for participation in outreach activities. Laws 2008, ch. 15, § 6.

NMSA 1978, § 22-15F-7 Room and board charges

22-15F-7. Room and board charges A. The school shall charge residential students a fee to cover the costs of room and board. The board shall establish a sliding-fee scale based on the student's ability to pay. The commission shall approve room and board charges and the sliding-fee scale during the planning year of the school and may approve changes to the charges and scale as requested by the board. B. The school shall report each year to the charter schools division and the commission on the number of students requiring financial assistance for room and board; the amount of financial assistance provided; and the amount and source of gifts, grants and donations received by the school to provide that financial assistance. Laws 2008, ch. 15, § 7.

NMSA 1978, § 22-15F-8 Room and board costs; outreach activities; use of state equalization guarantee distributions prohibited

22-15F-8. Room and board costs; outreach activities; use of state equalization guarantee distributions prohibited The school, either through a foundation or other private or public funding sources, shall obtain funding to ensure that the school has adequate revenue to pay for all expenses associated with outreach activities provided for in Section 22-15F-6 NMSA 1978 and for room and board costs for those students who are not able to pay the full cost of room and board as provided in Section 22-15F-7 NMSA 1978. The school shall account separately for the costs of outreach activities and room and board and for the revenue received from private or public sources to pay those costs. The school shall not use money received from the state equalization guarantee distribution for these purposes. Failure of the school to secure adequate funding for these purposes shall be grounds for denial or revocation of a charter. Laws 2008, ch. 15, § 8; 2013, ch. 108, § 2.

Source: New Mexico Compilation Commission (nmonesource.com)URL: https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa-unanno/en/item/18522/index.doFetched: 10/20/2026