Chapter 1

    The New Mexico School Boards Association (NMSBA) was started in 1950 by a group of board members and administrators who felt a need for an organization that would work for school boards.  Membership in the Association is for local boards rather than individual board members.  It is a nonprofit, voluntary organization.

    Presently, all of the eighty-nine school districts are members of New Mexico School Boards Association.  The organization is financed primarily through dues that are paid by the member districts.  A portion of the dues that are paid by local boards is used to pay dues to the National School Boards Association (NSBA), which has its headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia.

    The NMSBA is governed by a Board of Directors, elected by NMSBA members.  The Board of Directors employs an executive director, who is the chief administrator of the Association.

    The Association provides information to its members through publications, reports and its web site (www.nmsba.org); conducts training for and communicates with its membership at statewide, regional and individual district activities; represents its members in legislative and governmental matters, and advocates for public education and excellence in public school governance.

    The State Convention, the School Law Conference, the Leaders' Retreat, the Region Meetings and the School Board Member Institute are all meetings sponsored by the Association.

    The state is divided into eight regions.  Two meetings per year are held in each region.

    The National School Boards Association (N.S.B.A.), of which N.M.S.B.A. is a part, provides assistance in policy development and sponsors several nationwide conferences that are aimed at keeping board members informed.

    You may contact your Association by writing or calling: