Bill > SB114

This bill, titled the "Adjunct Secondary Instructors Act," establishes a new category of educators in New Mexico's public schools. It defines an "adjunct secondary instructor" as someone licensed by the department who is not a current teacher or school employee, and who can teach courses in areas where they possess "subject-matter expertise," meaning professional, technical, or career knowledge. Local school boards, including those governing charter schools, are permitted to enter into "contracts for services" with these adjunct instructors to teach students in grades seven through twelve. These contracts will specify compensation, limit the instructor's workload to half that of a full-time teacher, and prohibit adjunct instructors from receiving benefits like health plans, retirement contributions, or tenure, with their contracts not exceeding one school year and being terminable without cause. To become an adjunct secondary instructor, individuals must have at least a bachelor's degree, three years of experience in their area of expertise, pass state assessments, complete a department-approved pedagogy course, and undergo a background check, though most other provisions of the School Personnel Act will not apply to them.