RRPS responds to 180-day school year ruling

RIO RANCHO — Earlier this month, District Court Judge Dustin Hunter ruled the 180-day instructional calendar for New Mexico schools, which was proposed by the New Mexico Public Education Department in 2023, conflicts with the state code.

The controversial measure was subsequently overturned.

“The PED lacks the authority to implement a rule mandating a minimum number of instructional days for public school districts and charter schools,” said Hunter in his ruling.

The ruling was the result of a lawsuit brought in April 2024 by the New Mexico School Superintendents Association, representing 55 mostly rural school districts. The suit claimed the 180-day requirement put unnecessary strain on rural communities who might need to travel further for school. The new schedule, they said, would have massive consequences for their communities.

That is not the case in Rio Rancho, where the recent ruling has had little effect. That’s to be expected, considering the bill wasn’t going to affect the Rio Rancho Public School District anyway.

RRPS already operates on a 190-day schedule, according to a statement from RRPS.

“[RRPS] was not involved in the lawsuit regarding the 180-day rule,” said the RRPS statement. “Our current instructional calendar specifies 190 instructional days throughout the year, which has been the standard in the district for several years now.”

RRPS adopted the 190-day calendar in 2021 in agreement with the Rio Rancho teacher’s union.

The 2024-25 school year is set to end on May 24. The 2025-26 year will begin Aug. 5.

For more information about the RRPS instructional calendar, visit rrps.net.