This summary was computer-generated without any editorial revision. It is not official, has not been checked for accuracy, and is NOT citable.
Facts
The case originated in 1998 when the Zuni Public School District sued the State of New Mexico, alleging that the existing capital outlay system for funding public school facilities violated the New Mexico Constitution's requirement for a uniform system of free public schools. The lawsuit was reinstated in 2013 to address claims that legislative reforms made in 2002 and 2003 were inadequate (paras 1 and 3).
Procedural History
- District Court, 1998: Granted summary judgment against the State, leading to legislative reforms in 2002 and 2003 (para 2).
- District Court, 2020: Declared the State's statutory capital outlay scheme unconstitutional (para 4).
Parties' Submissions
- Appellants (State of New Mexico and Public School Capital Outlay Council): Argued that the legislative amendments made after the district court's order rendered the case moot (para 7).
- Appellees (Zuni and Gallup-McKinley School Boards): Contended that the case was not moot and sought an exception to the mootness doctrine (paras 10-11).
Legal Issues
- Whether the legislative amendments to the capital outlay scheme rendered the case moot.
- Whether an exception to the mootness doctrine should be recognized under the procedural circumstances of this case.
Disposition
- The case was remanded to the district court for further proceedings to consider the constitutionality of the current statutory scheme (para 14).
Reasons
Per Curiam: The Court found the case moot because the statutory scheme declared unconstitutional no longer exists due to significant legislative amendments. The Court rejected the School Boards' arguments against mootness and declined to recognize an exception to the mootness doctrine. The matter was remanded to the district court to consider the constitutionality of the current statutory scheme if the School Boards choose to pursue further litigation (paras 9-14).