SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Santa Fe Public Schools officials are standing behind the superintendent's decision to dismiss schools early for a public rally calling for the legislators to stop slashing school budgets.
The district sent New Mexico Public Education Secretary Hanna Skandera a letter Thursday defending Superintendent Veronica Garcia's decision to close schools early on March 16. The letter was in response to a letter from Skandera's office last week claiming Garcia's actions broke the law.
The Public Education Department says Santa Fe Schools broke the law by using school resources for the pro-education protest.
The district wrote that all of its actions are protected under the U.S. Constitution.
The district wrote that letting teachers and students attend the rally was akin to when Skandera has used public schools during the school day to make public announcements.