N.M. Stat. § 22-5-4.13
Local school board; consideration of opening or closing
a public school on tribal land; consultation with tribal leaders and
members and families of students.
A. Whenever a local school board is contemplating opening a public school on tribal
land, in addition to negotiations involving land or buildings, the local school board and
the local superintendent shall consult with tribal leaders and members and families of
students who will be eligible to attend the public school on the design of the school's
programming.
B. Consultation shall include, among other actions, meetings in which the local
school board and local superintendent explain:
(1)
how and why they reached the decision to approach the tribe about
opening a public school on tribal land; and
(2)
the level of their commitment to improving educational outcomes for Indian
students by opening a public school and how that commitment will be manifested
through:
(a) culturally and linguistically responsive school policies;
(b) rigorous and culturally meaningful curricula and instructional materials;
(c) sensitivity to the tribe's calendar of religious and tribal obligations when
making the school calendar; and
(d) professional development for school personnel at the public school to
ensure that the best practices used in teaching, mentoring, counseling and
administration are culturally and linguistically responsive to students.
C. Whenever a local school board is contemplating closing a public school on tribal
land for any reason, it shall consult with tribal leaders and members and families of
students attending the public school.
D. Consultation shall include, among other actions, meetings in which the local
board and the local superintendent explain:
(1)
the reasons for closing the public school;
(2)
the reasons why the local school board has not or cannot provide
additional resources to keep the public school open;
(3)
locations of other public schools in the vicinity to which students will be
sent and the plan to transport students to those schools;
(4)
how the public school receiving new students will consult with tribal
leaders and members and families of students attending the public school related to:
(a) culturally and linguistically responsive school policies;
(b) rigorous and culturally meaningful curricula and instructional materials;
(c) sensitivity to the tribe's calendar of religious and other tribal obligations
when making the school calendar; and
(d) professional development for school personnel at the public school to
ensure that the best practices used in teaching, mentoring, counseling and
administration are culturally and linguistically responsive to students;
(5)
how the educational outcomes for the Indian students will be improved by
attending another public school;
(6)
plans for the public school buildings that will be left empty by the closure;
and
(7)
any other matters the local school board believes provide an adequate
explanation of the reasons for closing the public school on tribal lands.