{ "id": 5354517, "name": "STATE of New Mexico ex rel. Jose I. BARELA et al., Plaintiffs-Appellants, v. NEW MEXICO STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION et al., Defendants-Appellees", "name_abbreviation": "State ex rel. Barela v. New Mexico State Board of Education", "decision_date": "1969-03-31", "docket_number": "No. 8764", "first_page": "220", "last_page": "224", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "80 N.M. 220" }, { "type": "parallel", "cite": "453 P.2d 583" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.M.", "id": 8835, "name": "Supreme Court of New Mexico" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 52, "name_long": "New Mexico", "name": "N.M." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "79 N.M. 357", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 2739580 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1968, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/79/0357-01" ] }, { "cite": "77 N.M. 303", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 2808719 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1967, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/77/0303-01" ] }, { "cite": "79 N.M. 260", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 2743094 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1968, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/79/0260-01" ] }, { "cite": "47 N.M. 22", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 1562265 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1942, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/47/0022-01" ] }, { "cite": "65 N.M. 335", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 2846321 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1942, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/65/0335-01" ] }, { "cite": "68 N. M. 381", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 2717312 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1961, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/68/0381-01" ] }, { "cite": "63 N.M. 383", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 2776556 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1958, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "387" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nm/63/0383-01" ] }, { "cite": "68 N.M. 304", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 2718617 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1961, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nm/68/0304-01" ] }, { "cite": "58 A.L.R. 573", "category": "reporters:specialty", "reporter": "A.L.R.", "year": 1926, "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "31 N.M. 641", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 1551441 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1926, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nm/31/0641-01" ] }, { "cite": "70 N.M. 226", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 2849709 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1962, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "240" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nm/70/0226-01" ] }, { "cite": "38 N.M. 358", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 1559158 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1934, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nm/38/0358-01" ] }, { "cite": "79 N.M. 357", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 2739580 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1968, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nm/79/0357-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 690, "char_count": 12610, "ocr_confidence": 0.693, "pagerank": { "raw": 4.0957995729321924e-07, "percentile": 0.9094176919194903 }, "sha256": "8c7b3dc7156eef8bd822107f18755dbf0971285b2a5d70e01ce506d3b9bce2dd", "simhash": "1:0313f54b9f616012", "word_count": 2079 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T15:41:23.226975+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "CARMODY and TACKETT, JJ., concur." ], "parties": [ "STATE of New Mexico ex rel. Jose I. BARELA et al., Plaintiffs-Appellants, v. NEW MEXICO STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION et al., Defendants-Appellees." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "OPINION\nMOISE, Justice.\nAppellants state the issue presented in the appeal to be whether the purported consolidation between Belen Municipal School District No. 2, hereinafter referred to as \u201cBelen District\u201d and the La Joya Rural Independent School District No. 5, hereinafter referred to as \u201cLa Joya District\u201d is valid.\nThree attacks are made on the consolidation, viz., (1) a consolidation between districts entirely situated in different counties is not authorized by law; (2) the requirements of \u00a7 73-7-83, N.M.S.A. 1953 (repealed, ch. 16, \u00a7 301, N.M.S.L. 1967), were not met; and (3) since the consolidated district is governed by the Belen District which is in the Second Jttdicial District, whereas the La Joya District is in the Seventh Judicial District, residents of the La Joya District cannot participate in the election of the member of the State Board of Education in whose district Belen is located, and the attempted consolidation is therefore unconstitutional. See Art. XII, \u00a7 6, N.M. Const.\nThe petitioners, owners of property in the La Joya District in Socorro County, on December 21, 1966, filed this action wherein the members of the State Board of Education, the Belen Municipal School District No. 2 Board of Education, the La Joya Rural Independent School District Board No. 5 Board of Education, and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, were named as respondents, seeking an order mandamusing them to dissolve the consolidation and provide for education of the La Joya children in the La Joya schools. The consolidation had been instituted by resolution of the La Joya Board on May 15, 1965, followed by a resolution of the Belen Board on June 14, 1965, Thereafter, the State Board of Education, on July 30, 1965, ordered consolidation effective July 1, 1966. From a judgment denying the relief sought and dismissing the action, this appeal has been perfected.\nUnder their first point, appellants argue that \u00a7 73-20-3, N.M.S.A.1953 (repealed, ch. 16, \u00a7 301, N.M.S.L.1967), did not provide for inter-county consolidation, and accordingly the attempted action is a nullity. The section read:\n\u201cWhenever any county board of education shall determine by resolution that substantial economies can be effected and standards of education improved by the consolidation of any two or more rural school districts within the county and shall furnish a copy of such resolution to the state board of education the state board of education may order the consolidation of such districts; and pursuant to such resolution, when the state board of education shall determine and make definite findings at the conclusion of any survey made under the provisions of this act (73-20-1 to 73-20-4) that substantial economies can be effected and the educational standards raised by the consolidation of any two or more school districts, said board may order the consolidation of such districts.\n\u201cThe state board of education may order the consolidation of all classes of school districts pursuant to this Act, including rural, rural independent, municipal, union high school, and prior consolidated districts, or any combination thereof upon the resolution of each of the governing boards, affected by such consolidation.\u201d\nIt is noted that the first paragraph of \u25a0the section was adopted in 1941 (ch. 123, \u00a7 3, N.M.S.L.1941), and the last paragraph was added in 1955 (ch. 74, \u00a7 1, N.M.S.L. 1955). Appellees concede that they proceeded under this section and, further, that prior to the 1955 amendment such a consolidation as this was not authorized by law because of the language limiting the section\u2019s operation to \u201ctwo or more rural \u00a1school districts within the county.\u201d They .argue, however, that when in 1955 the second paragraph was added, stating that not 'only \u201crural\u201d school districts but \u201crural in\u25a0\u25a0dependent, municipal, union high school, and prior consolidated districts, or any 'combination thereof\u201d could be consolidated under the act, a change was effected which \u2022not only permitted consolidation of the various types of districts, but effectively 'eliminated the words \u201cwithin the county\u201d .-as well.\nAppellees point to our holdings to the effect that where a statute is plain, meaningful and unambiguous, there is no room for \u25a0construction, Montoya v. McManus, 68 N. M. 381, 362 P.2d 771 (1961); Schoonover v. Caudill, 65 N.M. 335, 337 P.2d 402; Giomi v. Chase, 47 N.M. 22, 132 P.2d 715 (1942), and contend the instant statute is not ambiguous and comes within this rule. 'The correctness of this position is not entirely apparent. Not only did the legislature fail to specifically state that the second paragraph was to cover the enumerated types of districts if located in two or more counties, it reenacted the first paragraph with the limiting words \u201cwithin the \u2022county.\u201d It takes a certain amount of interpretation to conclude that when within a single section of a statute reference is \u2022made in one paragraph to \u201crural school districts\u201d and in another to numerous other kinds of districts, the provisions of the sec\u25a0ond paragraph should control and the act be held applicable as provided therein. However, when the first paragraph limits ;the application to \u201crural school districts within the county\u201d and the second paragraph contains nothing to indicate an intention to change this provision beyond making the act applicable to \u201call classes of school districts,\u201d with no suggestion whatever that it apply to these various classes even though not \u201cwithin the county,\u201d our problem becomes more difficult. In addition, we take note that \u00a7 73-20-3, supra, by its terms, applies \u201cwhenever any county board of education\u201d makes a determination. Action by the boards of education in two counties, such as would be necessary to set in motion a consolidation that involved districts in two counties is not mentioned, much less action by a municipal school board in one county and a rural independent school district board in another, as was attempted here.\nIt is with no small amount of regret that we find ourselves forced to a conclusion that the added paragraph of \u00a7 73-20-3, supra, does not alter the original paragraph so as to accomplish the interpretation sought. We are not permitted to read into a statute language which is not there, particularly if it makes sense as written. Compare Sunset Package Store, Inc. v. City of Carlsbad, 79 N.M. 260, 442 P.2d 572 (1968); Davey v. Davey, 77 N.M. 303, 422 P.2d 38 (1967).\nAs stated above, there may be some ambiguity concerning the types of districts covered by the section but, insofar as the question of location in one county as opposed to several counties, the statute seems clear. If the legislature had intended that it cover districts in more than one county, appropriate language was at hand to express such intent. As a matter of fact in \u00a7 73-20-5, N.M.S.A. (since repealed by ch. 16, \u00a7 301, N.M.S.L.1967), provision was made for consolidations of rural school districts in two or more counties. However, as already noted, respondents did not proceed thereunder, but rather as provided in \u00a7 73-20-3, supra.\nWe stated above that we reached our conclusion regretfully. Our feelings in this regard result from a recognition that, as argued by appellees, for quite a number of years prior to 1965 when the instant consolidation was attempted, there has been a clear legislative policy to encourage and foster consolidations. Chapter 30, N.M.S.L.1965 (\u00a7\u00a7 73-20-7 and 73-20-8, N.M.S.A.1953), providing for reorganization of county school districts by combining them with adjacent municipal districts or creating independent school districts, was the culmination of this purpose and trend. Notwithstanding our recognition and appreciation of the broad legislative plan, we do not perceive that we can read this section of the law to permit something that without question is not provided for by its terms.\nHaving concluded that the applicable procedure for consolidation was not complied with, it necessarily must follow that a valid consolidation was not effected. Having so determined, we do not deem it necessary or proper that we discuss or determine the additional questions presented on this appeal. The cause is reversed and remanded to the district court to proceed in a manner consistent herewith.\nOur attention has been directed to the fact that untold confusion and uncertainty would necessarily follow the conclusion here announced because of the fact that the schools are now operating as if consolidated, and to require them to be separated immediately would have most undesirable results. We are impressed that this is true and, accordingly, on the precedent of State ex rel. Castillo Corporation v. New Mexico State Tax Commission, 79 N.M. 357, 443 P.2d 850 (1968), we direct that the order to be entered by the district court pursuant to the mandate to be issued herein shall be made effective July 1, 1969, provided that in the interim a consolidation in conformity with law has not been effectuated.\nIt is so ordered.\nCARMODY and TACKETT, JJ., concur.", "type": "majority", "author": "MOISE, Justice." }, { "text": "OPINION ON REPIEARING\nPER CURIAM.\nAppellee, State Board of Education, has. filed a motion for rehearing in which it raises three points. We have given full consideration to the arguments advanced and conclude that none has merit, but since-all are raised now for the first time, we are moved to discuss them briefly.\nIn Point I, it is asserted that a. validating statute passed by the legislature in 1967 (ch. 16, \u00a7 296, N.M.S.L.1967) had the effect of making this cause moot. This, cannot possibly be true in the light of art.. IV, \u00a7 34, N.M.Const. which states that \u201c[n]o act of the legislature shall affect the right or remedy of either party * * * in any pending case.\u201d This action had been commenced before ch. 16, N.M.S.L. 1967, became effective, and there can be no question that the legislation could in noway alter rights as they existed when the action was commenced. Thrall v. Grant County Board of Education, 38 N.M. 358, 33 P.2d 908 (1934). See also dissent in Bradbury & Stamm Const. Co. v. Bureau of Revenue, 70 N.M. 226, 240, 372 P.2d 808 (1962). The cases relied on by appelleein support of their position arose in states not having a constitutional provision such-as ours.\nIn a second point, it is argued that the plaintiffs-appellants had no standing to sue, under the doctrine of Asplund v. Hannett, 31 N.M. 641, 249 P. 1074, 58 A.L.R. 573 (1926), and although not raised earlier, absent such standing, no cause of action was stated. We have held that failure to state a cause of action by virtue-of an absence of standing to sue can be-raised at any time. Valdez v. City of LasVegas, 68 N.M. 304, 361 P.2d 613 (1961). While we give full recognition to the rule, we are impressed that the doctrine of Asplund v. Hannett, supra, does not require-a holding that plaintiffs were without standing. Rather, it is our view that our holding in Thrall v. Grant County Board of Education, supra, and in Harriett v. Lusk, 63 N.M. 383, 387, 320 P.2d 738 (1958), dietate a holding recognizing the right in appellants to bring the action. Compare what is said in State ex rel. Castillo Corp. v. New Mexico State Tax Commission, 79 N.M. 357, 443 P.2d 850 (1968). It follows that a cause of action was stated.\nWe see no possible merit in Point III. It is argued that because our holding will necessarily cause major problems of financing in the school districts affected, the Chief of the Public School Finance Division of the Department of Finance and Administration, whose duty it is to handle such matters, was an indispensable party. That this is not true would seem to be evident from the fact that the statutes do not require that he be made a party to the acts which result in consolidation. We do not doubt that as a result of the decision, many difficult problems will arise for a considerable number of public officials including the Chief of the Public School Finance Division. This does not mean he was a \u25a0necessary or indispensable party. No in personam judgment was entered affecting him either personally or in his office.\nRehearing should be denied. It is so ordered.", "type": "rehearing", "author": "PER CURIAM." } ], "attorneys": [ "Ruben Rodriguez, Arthur H. Coleman, Santa Fe, for appellants.", "E. P. Ripley, Santa Fe, Chavez & Cowper, Belen, for appellees.", "James A. Maloney, Atty. Gen., Gary O. O\u2019Dowd, Deputy Atty. Gen., Santa Fe, on rehearing for appellees." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "453 P.2d 583\nSTATE of New Mexico ex rel. Jose I. BARELA et al., Plaintiffs-Appellants, v. NEW MEXICO STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION et al., Defendants-Appellees.\nNo. 8764.\nSupreme Court of New Mexico.\nMarch 31, 1969.\nRehearing Denied April 28, 1969.\nRuben Rodriguez, Arthur H. Coleman, Santa Fe, for appellants.\nE. P. Ripley, Santa Fe, Chavez & Cowper, Belen, for appellees.\nJames A. Maloney, Atty. Gen., Gary O. O\u2019Dowd, Deputy Atty. Gen., Santa Fe, on rehearing for appellees." }, "file_name": "0220-01", "first_page_order": 276, "last_page_order": 280 }