Critical needs scholarship returns   Senate Bill 233 brings back a familiar piece of legislation from last year. The bill is looking to establish the critical needs teaching scholarship program, which was one of the lone bright spots from last year’s controversial education reform plan, House Bill 1234.   Senate Education committee members will have […]

Scholarship program bill moves on   Senate Education committee members gave unanimous approval at this morning’s committee meeting to a bill resurrecting a piece of last year’s controversial education reform, House Bill 1234.   Senate Bill 233 would establish the critical needs teaching scholarship program for student’s looking to enter the teaching profession in a

A bill to change the state aid funding formula and two special project funding bills had hearings this morning as the fifth week of legislative session began.   House Bill 1202 was deferred to the 41st Legislative Day on an 8-4 vote by House State Affairs committee members. The bill called for the change of

Four bills with ties to K-12 education received passing votes on Thursday.   Senate Bill 96 passed on 25-9 vote through the Senate. The bill would allow school districts with an enrollment under 100 to remain open, if they are exercising joint powers or intergovernmental cooperation in education.   “The bill presents a really positive

The fourth week of legislative session proved busy for legislation related to K-12 education.   House Bill 1087, which would allow school boards to “create, establish and supervise” a “sentinel” program that would arm staff, security or volunteers on school grounds, passed the House of Representatives on a 42-27 vote. The bill now heads to

Senate Education committee members unanimously agreed to pass a bill that would return state funding to Education Service Agencies based on an application and matching funds process.   Senate Bill 76 will head to the Senate floor with a slightly adjusted look, but going forward nonetheless. The committee approved two amendments to the bill. The

  Open meetings law bill amended   A bill that would have subjected appointed sub- and advisory committees to open meetings laws was amended by the House State Affairs committee today.   House Bill 1108 initially introduced an amendment placing sub- and advisory committees under the open meetings umbrella. The committee decided to strike the

  The House Education committee deferred a vote until Friday on House Bill 1087, which would allow school boards to arm staff, security or volunteers on school grounds, following a lengthy hearing this morning.   Testimony from opponents and proponents of the bill was completed and committee members opted to continue discussion on the matter

  Over the next two days, five legislative committees are expected to take up some key bills and issues.   This morning Senate Education will hold a hearing on Senate Bill 76, which would reinstate $500,000 in state funding for Educational Service Agencies. Executive Director Wade Pogany is expected to testify at the hearing in

  Senate Education committee members decided to defer a vote on a bill that would restore state funding for Education Service Agencies until their Thursday meeting.   The decision came after the committee heard testimony and discussion on Senate Bill 76 and determined further input from the Department of Education was needed. DOE Finance Director