The University of New Mexico Board of Regents has approved a capital outlay request of $7.3 million for High Tech High School, a newly opened affiliate charter school with The University of New Mexico. The request, which will be made to the 2006 New Mexico legislature, will be part of the public education capital outlay package.
The lawmakers will be asked to approve money for biology and engineering laboratory equipment, student laptops, a wireless network, servers, a specialty media arts lab, digital and DVD cameras, and video editing and multimedia software.
The request also includes funds to renovate and/or build a facility at the University of New Mexico. High Tech High has 90 students enrolled this year in leased space off-campus, and intends to expand as it enrolls a new freshmen class each year and the current students move up to the next grade level.
UNM regents have committed to finding a place on the campus for the new high school, but have not yet designated an area or building.
“Our support of High Tech High is part of our commitment to improving K-12 education in New Mexico,” said UNM President Louis Caldera.
Although the school will operate independently of the university, the College of Education, School of Engineering and other faculties will be involved with the school. These include innovative partnerships, which will demonstrate that with the right support, students can achieve and compete with the best in the world.
Contact: Karen Wentworth, (505) 277-5627