The state House could vote this week on a $5 billion plan for financing public education and general government programs. The budget plan could be wrapped up in committee today and then on to the full House. The proposal tentatively calls for a spending increase of a little more than $200 million on schools and other programs in the next fiscal year. The plan leaves about $41 million available for possible tax cuts and sets aside a $14 million contingency, making the money available for several programs if state revenue projections remain on target.

The school superintendent in Espanola has been placed on administrative leave following a public dispute with a weekly newspaper. The Espanola public school board made the decision regarding superintendent Evelyn Maruska and according to reports it's not likely she'll return. Maruska recently sparked dispute with the Rio Grande Sun newspaper by placing restrictions on the paper's access to schools and district personnel. The Sun, in response, stopped covering Espanola Valley High School sporting events.

A state house panel has endorsed a measure that would provide nearly $2.5 billion for public schools and other education programs. The chairman of the Education committee says the proposed budget tries to fund some of the governor's initiatives and meet the needs of local school districts.

Gov. Martinez wants state lawmakers to pass legislation to keep third graders back if they fail to read proficiently. The governor is looking to change the law so that schools could hold back third-graders based on their lack of reading skills. Martinez says urgency is needed because 80% of the state's third-graders or approximately 12,000 students are not proficient in reading. However Sen. Howie Morales says holding back kids to improve student achievement is not so simple or as clear-cut as the governor makes it out to be.