School Year 2022-2023

Instructional Calendar

Las Cruces Public Schools

Overview
Board Role
Decide whether to participate in
state funded extended learning
at the March 15 th 2022 meeting
If yes, then choose between
proposed traditional summer
break or balanced calendar
on March 15 th , 2022
If no, then offer feedback to
administration and vote on
standard calendar options at
the April 5 th , 2022 meeting
Administration Role State Role
Review state rules and Pass laws regarding extended
regulations around extended learning time programs
learning from the legislative
session
Propose calendar options
Develop regulations regarding
that are statutorily
extended learning time programs
compliant at the
March 15 th , 2022 meeting
Receive feedback from board
Provide guidance around
members on standard calendar
implementation of extended
preferences and present to the
learning time programs
board at the April 5 th , 2022
meeting
 Calendar Development Committee

• Consists of teachers, educational assistants, parents, administrators, and

representatives from CSEC-LC and NEA-LC.
• The committee convened on October 7, November 2, November 30,
January 19, February 23.
• The committee presented at the October District Advisory Council
Meeting in advance of opening the first survey.
• A stakeholder questionnaire was open from November 4-January 3
• (1,294 responses)
• A survey for teachers and educational assistants was open from January
3-January 25 (1,252 responses)
• Draft calendars were based on input from the questionnaires and
options provided by the state legislature
 Extended Learning Time programs are state initiatives
designed to increase learning time, fund innovative calendars,
and improve learning conditions for students and educators.

Priorities
Value Community Provide Professional Salaries Foster Innovation

Citing burn-out and pandemic
related trauma, educators value
summer break as a time to
refresh and recharge
Families traditionally use
summer break to travel and
participate in other family
activities
The $28 million increase in
staff salaries provides a direct
economic impact on local
businesses and the local
economy in general
Participating staff in ELTP/K5+ School building closures and the
receive a 3% salary increase digital divide reduced learning
+ daily rate for each additional time for most students during the
contract day pandemic. Pandemic related
resources offer an opportunity to
ELTP – transform the school day and
school year to accelerate learning
Minimum salaries of
$53K/$63K/$74K Extended calendars offer an
opportunity to provide additional
K5+ – planning time for educators
Minimum salaries of
Extended calendars offer an
$57K/$68K/$80K
opportunity to implement enriched
and experiential learning
opportunities
 Value Community
Extended Learning Time Program
Option 1 – Traditional Summer Break
Statute allows districts to add 1 day per month and maintain all of June and July for
Summer Break for families and requires two contract days at the end of July for
educators.

Option 2 – Balanced Calendar

Utilizing a balanced calendar spreads out breaks for families and educators throughout
the year in an effort to minimize burnout and pandemic related trauma.

K5 Plus Program
The K5 Plus Program could add three additional weeks of
instruction in June if the board elects to participate.

Applying for the K12 Plus Pilot program could allow the 15
days in June to be optional for both educators and families.
Educators will be paid their daily rate for the three weeks if
they choose to participate. (Upon approval from PED)
 Provide Professional Salaries

Extended Learning Time Program

Funding provides $550 per student =$13 Million for 10 additional days at staff’s daily rate

K5 Plus Program

Funding provides $1,500 per elementary student =$15 Million for 15 additional days on top
of ELTP (25 total) at staff’s daily rate
 Provide Professional Salaries

The state has mandated a 7% raise and has increased the tier minimums to $50,000, $60,000, and $70,000. We will get this no
matter what calendar we choose.

Both calendar drafts presented by the district include Extended Learning Time (ELT) that add 7 days to our contracts (190 vs 183)
and 10 instructional days for students (184 vs 174). If we opt for any version of ELT, at minimum we will receive our full daily rate
of pay for those 7 days PLUS an additional 3% raise on top of the pay for the days. That would mean a 10% raise (3% + the 7%
already mandated), plus full pay for the additional days on top of that. Together, that is roughly a 13.8% minimum increase in
salary from this year.

If we opt for ELT, the state has also mandated that the tier minimums increase to $52,777, $63,333, and $73,888.

Opting for ELT salary will also have significant impact on your retirement (which is based on your top 5 years of salary)
 Provide Professional Salaries
Order of Operations:

1. 7% raise for FY23

2. Tier Minimum ($50,000, $60,000, $70,000)
3. 3% for ELT
4. Additional days for ELT
5. ELT Tier Minimum ($52,777, $63,333, and $73,888)

PRACTICAL EXAMPLE – no extra days:

• Level II Teacher currently making $55,000
• Next year $55,000 with 7% raise is $58,850
• It’s less than new Tier II minimum, so they will be rounded up to $60,000.

PRACTICAL EXAMPLE – opting for ELT (traditional or balanced):

• Level II Teacher currently making $55,000
• With mandated 7% raise is $58,850
• It’s less than new Tier II minimum, so they will be rounded up to $60,000.
• 3% raise for opting in to ELT makes $61,800
• Plus daily rate ($325.26 x 7 days) would make it $64,076.84
• If less than new ELT Tier II minimum of $63,333, they would be rounded up (in this case, it’s above the minimum so they’ll
keep their $64,076.84)

Opting for ELT salary will also have significant impact on your retirement (which is based on your top 5 years of salary)
Foster Innovation
Foster Innovation
Research Base

Early Childhood Accountability Report, August

2021.pdf (nmlegis.gov)
 National Comparison

LCPS Instructional Days – 174

National average 180 days

31 States require at least 180 days
4 States require at least 175 days
5 States require less than 175 days
10 States (Including New Mexico) have no requirements
 Foster Innovation
Provide innovative, community-based opportunities for
students. Offer stipends for planning time for educators

Examples:

August- Service Learning Day All students participate in a service-learning project to cap off August instruction
September-Civic Education & Citizenship activities, including voter registration activities as we gear up for general
election in November (partner with county clerk and city/county government), digital citizenship,
October- Career and Technical Education Day (Partner with DACC)– Build my future and other CTE related activities for
students to emphasize that CTE is for all students, not just those on a vocational trajectory. Shouldn’t an electrical engineer
wire a house while in high school?
November-Las Cruces/Local History Day PBL surrounding the history and culture of Las Cruces
December- Computer Science/Hour of Code Activities in conjunction with national computer science week
January- Fitness Focus – Physical, Mental, and Emotional Health Activities
February-Fine Arts Focus students participate in or attend a fine arts activity
March- Exploring Earth- focus on environment, geography, nations, world languages, cultures,
April- Exploring Space in conjunction with the Las Cruces Space Festival
May- Celebrating Success- students share their accomplishments from the year in various modes (student showcases, digital
portfolios, films, mini-conferences, etc.)
 Next Steps
LCPS Employee Virtual Information Session 3/8/22 (w/ Spanish Audio)

Las Cruces Community Virtual Information Session 3/9/22 (w/ Spanish Audio)

NEA Las Cruces completes a preference vote via survey

LCPS School Board Deliberation 3/15/22

LCPS School Board Deliberation 4/5/22