Over $349 Million Secured for Public Education Across New Mexico
April 18, 2025
The LANL Foundation is celebrating significant progress for education across New Mexico following the conclusion of the 2025 legislative session. In part because of the Foundation’s advocacy, eight bills were signed into law.
The LANL Foundation further celebrates over $349.3 million in funding that was included in the state budget to support initiatives such as STEM education, early childhood programs, Tribal education, support for educators, and more.
As New Mexico’s largest foundation dedicated solely to education, the LANL Foundation advocates year-round for policies that uplift students, educators, and families statewide.
Key 2025 priorities included:
- Expanding early childhood education
- Supporting kinship caregivers and families
- Strengthening STEM and career-connected learning
- Improving teacher training, pay, and retention
- Advancing Tribal education and educational sovereignty
“These wins aren’t just about policy—they’re about people. They’re about the grandparents raising grandkids, the students discovering their love for STEM, and the teachers who stay in the classroom because they feel supported. At the LANL Foundation, we’re committed to systemic transformation. We are honored to work alongside so many dedicated partners, community leaders, legislators, and Governor Lujan Grisham to make public education stronger across New Mexico,” said Gwen Perea Warniment, President & CEO. “Systemic change requires all of us to work together.”
We appreciate the Legislature and Governor Lujan Grisham taking action during this legislative session to provide significant funding and create new policy to better serve our students, teachers, school leaders and families,” said Alvin Warren, Vice President of Policy and Impact. “Over the past three years, the LANL Foundation is proud to have successfully supported over $990.5 million in state funding and the enactment of sixteen pieces of legislation to improve educational outcomes across our state.”
Key Legislative Wins Championed by the LANL Foundation
Expanding Support for Grandparents and Kin Raising Children (HB 252)
Sponsored by Rep. Susan Herrera
$4 million appropriated
Building on years of work led by the LANL Foundation’s Early Childhood Education Program, Grandparents and Kin Raising Children Council, and a Foundation-published research report, this bill establishes a groundbreaking program at the Aging and Long-Term Services Department. It will serve kinship caregivers who are not part of the foster care system. Up to 350 families in 5–7 counties will receive help accessing state, federal, and local resource navigation, along with monthly stipends provided through partnerships with nonprofit organizations.
Improving Preparation for School and District Leaders (HB 157)
Sponsored by Rep. Joy Garratt
$2.25 million appropriated
Born out of a collaboration between the LANL Foundation, Thornburg Foundation, J. F. Maddox Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, this bill creates the first specialized training standards for New Mexico principals and superintendents. Informed by statewide input from educators including school leaders, teachers, unions, colleges and universities, the legislation establishes a Bureau of School Leadership to support principal and superintendent preparation programs to offer tailored, relevant training —helping ensure strong, long-term leadership in schools across the state.
Building a Statewide STEM Innovation Network
$3 million appropriated
Initiated by the efforts of the LANL Foundation and the Northern New Mexico STEAM Coalition, state funding will enable the launch of a STEM Innovation Network. This proven model will connect students, schools, employers, and communities to expand access to quality STEM education and prepare New Mexicans for high-paying, local careers. A principal hub will support regional and Tribal hubs, ensuring resources are shared equitably across the state.
Increasing Equity Through Public School Funding (HB 63)
$136 million increase; $4.5 billion total budget
The updated SEG formula—the mechanism that determines K-12 public school funding—now includes targeted increases for schools serving low-income students, English Language Learners, and students in middle and high school. The LANL Foundation advocated for this change to better support educational equity statewide.
Other Successful Initiatives Supported by the LANL Foundation
Expanding Services for Young Children and Families
- Increased Early Childhood Trust Fund distributions to $500 million(HB 71)
- $170 million in new funding, including:
- $13M for home visiting
- $15M for Family Infant Toddler(FIT) program reimbursements
- $3M for the Early Childhood Tribal Investment Strategy
Elevating Educator Support and Compensation
- A $5,000 raise for teachers at each licensure level (HB 156)
- $135 million for 4% pay raises for all school employees
- $5M for school leader professional development
- $20.3M for the Educator Fellows Program
- $1M to pilot teacher recruitmentinitiatives
- $10M for the Teacher Loan Repayment Program
Protecting and Promoting Culturally Responsive Education
- Protecting students’ right to wear Tribal and cultural regalia at graduations and school events (SB 61)
- $55M for linguistically and culturally relevant instructional materials
- $30M for Indian Education in FY26, with an additional $20M allocated across FY27–FY28
Expanding Access to STEAM Education
- $25.5M total, including:
- $13.5M to train educators in evidence-based math instruction
- $6M for a 3-year math lab pilot
- $3M for other STEAM initiatives
Growing Career Technical Education Opportunities
- $38.5M for CTE programs, work-based learning, support for Career Technical Student Organizations,and the Innovation Zones initiative
- $1.5M for a new pilot CTE project
- $10M for summer internship opportunities
Investing in Student Learning and School Improvement
- $6M for school improvementthrough the Public Education Reform Fund (SB 201)
- $4M for special educationinitiatives
- $15M for out-of-school time learning programs
Growing Leadership in Education Policy
This year, the LANL Foundation expanded its commitment to education policy with the launch of a new Policy & Impact Division headed by Vice President of Policy & Impact, Alvin Warren, and the hiring of a full-time Policy Analyst, Nathan Moquino. These efforts reflect the Foundation’s mission to identify community-driven priorities through research and ensure responsive, equitable implementation across Northern New Mexico.
