The debate on a school district’s school start date is headed for the Senate.

 

The start date argument that began earlier in session was in reincarnated, albeit with different details, in House Bill 1164 and passed through the House on a 57-12 vote on Monday.

 

The bill would require a referral petition to have five percent of the total number of registered voters voting in the previous general election, essentially lowering the number of signatures needed to refer a board’s start day decision.

 

ASBSD opposes the bill.

 

Bill sponsor, Rep. Christine Erickson, said the bill gives parents and community members a chance to “voice their opinion on a (district’s) start date.” Rep. Erickson also noted the bill isn’t “changing” the current process, but rather making it more feasible for constituents of larger district to challenge the date, if they so choose.

 

Currently, state statute allows for voters in a district to refer all start dates set before Labor Day.

 

“We’re setting up a system that’s going to be a cost (to districts)…without definitive or palatable results,” Rep. Scott Parsley said.

 

For updates on the bill and other pieces of legislation, check the ASBSD Blog and Bill Tracker page.