The New Mexico school for the blind [New Mexico school for the blind and visually impaired] is intended and meant for the proper formal education of the blind of the state, and for the furtherance of such purpose to acquire land by purchase, gift or otherwise.

History: Laws 1903, ch. 2, § 8; 1907, ch. 4, § 1; Code 1915, § 5105; C.S. 1929, § 130-407; 1941 Comp., § 55-2201; Laws 1947, ch. 183, § 1; 1953 Comp., § 73-23-1; Laws 1971, ch. 324, § 6.

Bracketed material. — The bracketed material was inserted by the compiler and is not part of the law.

Laws 1903, ch. 2, § 3 established the New Mexico institute for the blind. Laws 1947, ch. 183, § 1, amended this section so that it referred to the New Mexico school for the blind.

The repeal and reenactment on November 8, 1960, of N.M. Const., art. XII, § 11, changed the name of the New Mexico institute for the blind to the New Mexico school for the visually handicapped.

An amendment to N.M. Const., art. XII, § 11, adopted at a general election held November 2, 2004, changed the name of the New Mexico school for the visually handicapped to the New Mexico school for the blind and visually impaired.

Cross references. — For the White Cane Law, see 28-7-1 to 28-7-7 NMSA 1978.

Scope of discretion to refuse admission. — As the institute for the blind (school for the visually handicapped) is for the blind youth of the state, it is not within the discretion of the superintendent, either with or without the approval of the board of trustees, to refuse admission to a blind applicant. 1925 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 25-3868.

As to granting of tenure. — Teaching personnel of the New Mexico school for the visually handicapped were not accorded statutory tenure rights unless they met the qualifications of 73-12-15.1, 1953 Comp. (repealed) or unless these privileges were extended by policy of board of regents of the institution or afforded under a written contract. 1964 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 64-89.

Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — When does change in "educational placement" occur for purposes of § 615(b)(1)(C) of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 (20 USCS § 1415(b)(1)(C)), requiring notice to parents prior to such change, 54 A.L.R. Fed. 570.

78 C.J.S. Schools and School Districts § 4 et seq.