Date: 03/30/2010
Final
Department of Education
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
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12:22 PM -- Call to Order
Representative Merrifield, the chair, called the committee to order. The committee convened to discuss the FY 2010-11 budget package with the members of the Joint Budget Committee (JBC). The FY 2010-11 Budget Package and Long Bill Narrative is available at: http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/leg_dir/jbc/10LBNarrative.pdf. Page numbers referenced in this summary are referring to this document.
12:22 PM -- Department of Education
Representative Pommer discussed the cuts that have been made to the K-12 education budget: $387 million from current law and $149 million less than last year's budget. He also discussed the funding for categorical programs, noting that the overall funding to categoricals will be cut. He enumerated which programs that had been funded through the State Education Fund (SEF) and now are being eliminated in order to balance the budget.
12:26 PM
Representative Benefield asked where the funding for mandated assessments comes from, seeking clarification if it was funded through the SEF. Representative Pommer responded that it primarily comes from the SEF, but that some federal monies may be used for that purpose. Representative Benefield asked if this needs to be addressed because the SEF is projected to be bankrupt soon and whether the state should explore the option of asking the federal government to pay for the testing that is being mandated. Representative Pommer replied that it would be unlikely that the federal government would provide money and would result in a loss of Title I funding. Discussion on this topic ensued.
12:31 PM
Representative Solano asked why the state received additional federal funds for the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP). Representative Pommer responded that this is not new funding and is not appropriated by the legislature but that the JBC staff is reflecting the funding in the Long Bill this year for informational purposes. Representative Todd asked about the increases in the funding for the ACT exam. Representative Pommer responded that the increase for the ACT exam reflects an increase in a contractual obligation.