SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO (AP) -- School leaders are asking for possible changes in state law to give them more flexibility to manage their budgets if the Legislature cuts spending on education.
Superintendents from New Mexico larger school districts met Wednesday with legislators and officials in Gov. Bill Richardson's administration on how to deal with the state's more than $400 million budget deficit.
Among the options under consideration to help schools is relaxing state limits on class sizes. Another proposal is to allow districts to temporarily use a portion of local property tax levy money for operational expenses rather than just capital improvements and maintenance of buildings.
The governor opposes cutting public schools as part of a deficit reduction package, but many legislators say it will be necessary.
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