New Mexico Statutes Chapter 22. Public Schools § 22-32-5. Definitions

A. “community school” means a public school that partners with families and the community, including tribal partners, nonprofit community-based organizations and local businesses, to provide well-rounded educational opportunities and supports for student success through the implementation of a community school framework;

B. “community school coordinator” means a full-time person employed by the lead partner agency who works within a community school as part of the site-based leadership team;

C. “community school framework” means a set of strategies implemented in a community school that include culturally and linguistically responsive instruction, programs and services and restorative practices that focus on building and maintaining relationships;

D. “community schools initiative” means the implementation of the community school framework to provide comprehensive or targeted support and improvement activities pursuant to the federal Every Student Succeeds Act;

E. “elementary school” may include early childhood services and pre-kindergarten;

F. “lead partner agency” means the agency that employs the community school coordinator and works collaboratively with the community school coordinator, the school principal and the site-based leadership team to assess, plan and carry out the community school framework;

G. “site-based leadership team” means an interdisciplinary, school-based leadership team that includes the school principal, the community school coordinator, teachers, other school employees, families, community partners, tribal partners, nonprofit organizations, unions and neighboring community residents that guides collaborative planning, implementation and oversight; and

H. “statewide coalition” means a group of community schools, members of their site-based leadership teams, foundations, businesses and other organizations, including unions, cultural and linguistic experts and tribal leaders, who have joined together to advocate for and support the development of community schools across New Mexico in alignment with an evidence-based community school framework.