House, Senate discuss school bills

The House and Senate Education Committees have started addressing education reform legislation, partially in response to the defeat of the education reform propositions by the voters in the November election. There are at least seven proposals being discussed in the committees that have some relationship to the defeated propositions. The following is a summary of some of the education reform proposals now being considered:

House Bill 67 (HB67) provides that negotiations between the school board trustees and the authorized local education organization or designated representatives be conducted in open public meetings.

House Bill 68 (HB68) provides timelines for the return of a contract that has been offered to a school employee. The legislation also allows for electronic delivery of standard contracts from the employee to the school board while still assuring receipt of the contract within the time period allowed. Contracts returned electronically saves local school districts the certified mail cost in acknowledging receipt of the contract.

House Bill 69 (HB69) provides that if there is a need to institute a reduction in force, the “selection of employees subject to such reduction shall be at the sole discretion of the board.” The board however has to take into consideration individual performance, certification, endorsements, student needs and other appropriate considerations when instituting a reduction in force.

Senate Bill 1037 (S1037) requires that contracts with professional employees of the district be for one year only and “any agreement to be in force or effect for multiple years or indefinitely” is not authorized.

Senate Bill 1038 and Senate Bill 1040 (S1038 and S1040) outlines provisions relating to voluntary and involuntary leaves of absence and in the case of involuntary separation, the employee’s right to contest the board action.

Senate Bill 1039 (S1039) provides that in negotiations between the school board trustees and professional employees that any local education organization representing the employees “shall provide to the district written evidence establishing that the local organization represents fifty percent plus one of the professions employees for the purpose of negotiations.

Recognizing that these proposed education bills are of considerable interest by teachers, union representatives, school board trustees and others, the House and Senate Education Committees held a public listening session at the capitol on the morning of February 1 to allow interested parties opportunity to provide their views on the proposed legislation.

Because of the substantial interest and participation of the first listening session the Chairmen of the House and Education Committees have scheduled another meeting from 4-6 p.m. in the Capitol on February 11. This late afternoon time was selected in order to accommodate teachers and others who were not able to attend the previous morning session.

The information received at these public meetings and other input could result in changes to the proposed legislation to address concerns with the legislation; in fact there may be changes already being considered by the two committees even before the second public meeting takes place. The willingness to listen to the public and make changes in proposed legislation as a result of public input is instrumental in developing legislation that will be supported by the general public, unlike the previous attempt at education reform that was opposed by the public last November.

REP. GEORGE ESKRIDGE

Dist. 1