February25

Lockdown drill bill passed by House Ed. comm.

House Education committee members unanimously passed Senate Bill 89, which would require school districts to develop safety plans and conduct lockdown drills.   “We believe many of the schools in the state have a (lockdown) plan,” SASD Executive Director Rob Monson said. “(Schools) want to make sure students are safe and taken care of. This (bill)

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February25

Two percent increase through one chamber

Despite some debate the bill providing a two percent increase in state aid for schools passed through its first chamber.   On a 25-10 vote, Senators approved Senate Bill 53, which would bring the per-student allocation to approximately $4,877 for the 2015-16 school year.   Along with the proposed two percent increase, SB 53 adds the costs of

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February24

Committee concurs on two key K-12 bills

Senate Education committee members sent two bills related to K-12 to the floor with do pass recommendations on Tuesday (2/24).   A bill requiring school districts to report their month-end cash balances in the fiscal year for the general, capital outlay, pension and special education funds was unanimously passed by committee members. The bill was amended to

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February24

New choice intro’d for schools to use CO fund dollars

Capital outlay continues to be at the center of legislative conversation.   House State Affairs committee members voted to support a hoghouse amendment to House Bill 1218, which would allow any school district to designate up to $0.25 of their capital outlay levy to fund a post-secondary technical institute. The maximum level of $3 per

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February21

Two percent increase bill one step closer

The first step in providing a two percent increase in state aid for schools was taken.   Members of the Senate Appropriations committee approved Senate Bill 53, which would bring the per-student allocation to approximately $4,877 for the 2015-16 school year.   Along with the proposed two percent increase, SB 53 adds the costs of school technology, assessment and the

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February21

Minor boundary change review proposed

A hoghouse amendment introduced Friday (2/20) proposes a review of the minor boundary change procedures of school districts.   Sen. Tim Rave said the minor boundary change provisions allowed in state law has resulted in an “ongoing problem” for school districts and lead to his amendment of Senate Bill 134, which calls for a one-year

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February21

Online education resource bill on to Senate floor

A bill described by Sen. Tim Rave as a “new, innovative way” to fund education is making its way to the Senate floor.   Senate Appropriations committee members unanimously passed Senate Bill 176, which would appropriate funds for the development of online resources and a rubric of textbook analysis for use in school districts. The

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February20

Committee tables teacher recruitment program

A bill promoting teacher recruitment to rural school districts did not survive committee action.   Senate Bill 144, which would create a tuition reimbursement program for certain teachers teaching in rural school districts, was sent to the 41st legislative day by the Senate Appropriations committee.   SB 144 would have established the reimbursement fund for teachers

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February20

New open meeting provision passes committee

A bill opening the texts and emails of school board members and other political subdivision representatives for review based on suspicion of open meeting violations walked through its first legislative door.   Members of the House Local Government committee voted 11-2 in support of House Bill 1153, which would include electronic text colloquy on the

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February20

Committee critical of cap outlay compromise

Three sessions over a three-day span resulted in a three vote difference on a bill adjusting capital outlay.   On a 9-6 vote, members of the House Taxation committee sent House Bill 1207, which would have limited revenue collection of the school district capital outlay fund, implemented opt-out procedures for the fund and added $72

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