Commentary: Santa Fe, NM – State Senator Craig Brandt started the process to move to override the governor’s veto of a bill that would prevent teachers’ evaluations from being negatively impacted for them taking four to ten days of sick leave. Currently, taking up to three days of sick leave does not affect their annual performance evaluations.
Senator Brandt moved to have HB 241a brought over from the House to the Senate President’s table so it will be in the proper procedural position for an override attempt early this week.
In the meantime, Senator Brandt is continuing his efforts to work with the Governor’s office to work on a compromise on this issue so teachers are not penalized. Senator Brandt said if no compromise is reached, he will move forward with his veto override.
He suggested constituents reach out to their legislators about their desire to see that teachers are able to take their sick leave without their evaluations being affected.
HB 241/a passed the Senate unanimously 39-0, and the House 64-3.
HB 241/a would have added language to the School Personnel Act that would prevent up to ten days of teacher sick or personal leave days from negatively affecting their annual performance evaluations. The bill would put this in law.
The leave is to be used consistently with the policy of the local school board or the governing body of the charter school where the teacher works.