Bill Summary for Bill Number HB10-1412

Date: 04/29/2010

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB10-1412

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Moved amendment L.001 (Attachment D). The motion Moved to amend House Bill 10-142, page 5, line 12, Moved to refer House Bill 10-1412, as amended, to	PASS Pass Without Objection PASS

03:17 PM -- House Bill 10-1412

Speaker Carroll, sponsor of House Bill 10-1412, concerning charter school and authorizer standards, explained the bill to the committee. He explained that the bill creates a review committee to study and make recommendations for charter school authorizing and governance standards. Representative Massey asked if he intends that local school boards could make additional standards if they so chose. Speaker Carroll responded that the bill establishes a baseline for charter school best practices. Representative Merrifield asked if a school district could have less restrictive standards than the bill requires. Speaker Carroll explains that would be decided in the rulemaking process.

03:22 PM

Representative Peniston asked question about the timeframe set out in the bill. Speaker Carroll asked that witnesses who will testify to respond to that question. Representative Middleton provided background on how the timeline came about and shared her experience as a state board member in dealing with the charter school appeals.

03:26 PM

The following people testified on the bill:

03:27 PM -- Jane Urschel, representing CASB, was asked to come to the witness table to answer questions from the committee. Representative Murray asked why CASB does not see the bill as an infringement on local control. Ms. Urschel responded that she has spoken with her members and they are supporting of the bill, and that CASB has always been supportive of establishing standards.

03:29 PM -- Jim Griffin, representing the Colorado League of Charter Schools, testified in support of the bill. He stated that the bill addresses authorizing and governance standards.

03:33 PM

Representative Middleton asked Mr. Griffin to address how much money has been spent on the charter school appeals process. Mr. Griffin responded that when charter schools were originally established, there were many more appeals, approximately 15 per year, but over the last years that has dissipated to about three per year. He attributed that decrease to the common charter application, which includes best practices and is standards-based. He explained that this common application has provided common guidance in a complicated process, but noted that the participation is voluntary. He responded to questions from the committee about common charter standards.

03:41 PM

Representative Murray expressed concern about setting state standards for a local jurisdiction. She cited the issue of food nutrition standards, which is done well in her district, but when state law institutes new standards, that results in increased paperwork just to prove that the district exceeds the state standards.

03:42 PM -- Scott Groginsky, representing the Colorado Children's Campaign, testified in support of the bill.

03:45 PM -- Alex Medler, representing the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA), testified in support of the bill and shared a copy of the NACSA principles and standards booklet (Attachment C).

03:49 PM

Representative Peniston asked Mr. Medler about the timeframe in the bill. He stated that the extra time allows the committee to revisit any issues that arise shortly after the implementation. Representative Murray asked Mr. Medler why the booklet he distributed could not be sent to school districts instead of legislating the issue. Mr. Medler explained that it is helpful to do both.

03:51 PM -- Bruce Caughey, representing CASE, testified in support of the bill. He also responded to previous questions from Representative Murray and Representative Peniston.

03:55 PM -- Alvin Rivera, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. He discussed the importance of best practices. He suggested adding two citizen members to the review committee.


BILL:	HB10-1412
TIME:	04:00:54 PM
MOVED:	Merrifield
MOTION:	Moved to amend House Bill 10-142, page 5, line 12, strike "JUNE 30,2012.", substitute "AUGUST 30, 2011.". Page 5, line 19, strike "to" and substitute "ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 15, 2012, TO". The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Benefield
		VOTE
	Benefield
	Massey
	McNulty
	Middleton
	Murray
	Peniston
	Scanlan
	Schafer S.
	Summers
	Tipton
	Todd	Excused
	Solano
	Merrifield

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	HB10-1412
TIME:	04:01:43 PM
MOVED:	Merrifield
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.001 (Attachment D). The motion passed on a 8-4-1 vote.
SECONDED:	Benefield
		VOTE
	Benefield	Yes
	Massey	Yes
	McNulty	No
	Middleton	Yes
	Murray	No
	Peniston	Yes
	Scanlan	Yes
	Schafer S.	Yes
	Summers	No
	Tipton	No
	Todd	Excused
	Solano	Yes
	Merrifield	Yes

Not Final YES: 8 NO: 4 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


BILL:	HB10-1412
TIME:	04:11:49 PM
MOVED:	Benefield
MOTION:	Moved to refer House Bill 10-1412, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 11-1-1 vote.
SECONDED:	Solano
		VOTE
	Benefield	Yes
	Massey	Yes
	McNulty	Yes
	Middleton	Yes
	Murray	No
	Peniston	Yes
	Scanlan	Yes
	Schafer S.	Yes
	Summers	Yes
	Tipton	Yes
	Todd	Excused
	Solano	Yes
	Merrifield	Yes

Final YES: 11 NO: 1 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS