Date: 01/14/2015
Final
- Introduction by legislative and legal staff
COMMITTEE ON JOINT EDUCATION
| Votes: View--> | Action Taken: |
| <none> | <none> |
10:34 AM -- - Introduction by legislative and legal staff
Senator Hill invited Julie Pelegrin, Office of Legislative Legal Services (OLLS), to the table to begin her presentation. Ms. Pelegrin told the committee about the services and assistance that OLLS can provide to the committee members. She discussed the sections of the Colorado Constitution that pertain to governance over education, and stated that it is divided across three institutions: the General Assembly, which is required to ensure thorough and uniform education across the state; the State Board of Education (state board), which is in charge of supervision of schools as prescribed in law; and local school districts, which control instruction and curriculum. She discussed the rulings in the Lobato v. State of Colorado and Booth v. Board of Education cases.
10:45 AM
Ms. Pelegrin told the committee that there is very little case law pertaining to the authority of the state board to provide general supervision over schools. She said the state board serves as a conduit of and a source for educational information and policy, and has the ability and authority to look at the whole school system from a statewide perspective. She explained that local boards of education have control over instruction and curriculum for the schools they oversee, and the General Assembly has the power to divide, combine, or abolish school districts. Ms. Pelegrin answered questions from the committee.
10:54 AM
Kristen Koehler and Josh Abram, Legislative Council Staff, came to the table to introduce themselves and explain the fiscal notes process. Ms. Koehler stated that fiscal notes are a tool for committee members to make an informed decision before voting on legislation. Mr. Abram and Ms. Koehler answered questions from the committee.