Signed by Governor Bill Richardson

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that creates a state-chartered high school for the performing and visual arts.

Highlights:

- Intends for the program to provide intensive preprofessional instruction in the performing and visual arts in conjunction a strong academic program that allows students to earn a New Mexico diploma of excellence [sec. 4 (a)]. - Specifies that no tuition be charged except that which is provided for in the Public School Code, and ensures that the school will be funded in the same manner as other charter high schools [sec. 4 (b)]. - Allows the school's governing body to solicit and receive grants and donations to assist in providing room and board to students who are unable to pay part or all of the residential costs (Sec. 5). - Establishes admissions standards to admit students with an exceptional aptitude and a strong desire for the arts regardless of previous artistic training and ability to pay [sec. 6 (a)]. - Requires there be an equal number of students from each congressional district accepted to the school [sec. 6 (b)]. - Requires the school's governing body to submit annual reports to the charter schools division detailing student demographic information and the amount and sources of financial aid disbursed to students [sec. 6 (c) & sec. 7 (b)]. - Requires the school to conduct outreach programs to inform students of the school [sec. 6 (d)]. - Requires that room and board be charged based on the student's ability to pay [sec. 7 (a)].

Full Bill Text