Date: 03/26/2015

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB15-216

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Adopt amendment L.004 (Attachment D). The motion p
Adopt amendment L.005 (Attachment E). The motion f
Adopt amendment L.006 (Attachment F). The motion f
Adopt amendment L.007 (Attachment G). The motion f
Adopt amendment L.008 (Attachment H). The motion f
Adopt amendment L.009 (Attachment I). The motion f
Adopt amendment L.010 (Attachment J). The motion f
Adopt amendment L.011 (Attachment K). The motion f
Adopt amendment L.012 (Attachment L). The motion f
Refer Senate Bill 15-216, as amended, to the Commi		PASS
FAIL
FAIL
FAIL
FAIL
FAIL
FAIL
FAIL
FAIL
PASS



01:35 PM -- SB15-216

Senator Holbert, Chair, called the meeting to order and invited Senator Hill, sponsor, to come to the table to present Senate Bill 15-216. He explained that the bill concerns a school district's exclusive authority to authorize charter schools located within the geographic boundaries of the school district. He stated that children have different learning styles and need different types of schools and instruction. He said that parental choice is one of the best ways to ensure that children have opportunities going forward, and that charter schools may be a good alternative education path for some students.

The following people testified on the bill:

01:41 PM -- Nora Flood, representing the Colorado League of Charter Schools, spoke in support of the bill. She distributed two handouts to the committee (Attachments A and B). She said that Colorado should take steps to ensure high-quality education for all students, and that the bill ensures that all students have access to quality public schools. She addressed some common misconceptions about charter schools and provided statistics about charter school students in the state. She stated that charter schools are neighborhood schools, and that the bill seeks to inject more consistency into the chartering process. She discussed several provisions of the bill in further detail and talked about the role that the Charter School Institute (CSI) plays in the charter authorizing processes. Ms. Flood answered questions from the committee.

15SenateEd0326AttachA.pdf15SenateEd0326AttachA.pdf 15SenateEd0326AttachB.pdf15SenateEd0326AttachB.pdf

01:55 PM -- Pat Sanchez, Superintendent of Adams 14 School District, spoke in opposition to the bill. He distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment C). He questioned who holds CSI accountable for their failing schools, and spoke about the negative impacts of eliminating the choice and local control that local school boards hold when it comes to charter schools within their districts. Mr. Sanchez answered questions from the committee.

15SenateEd0326AttachC.pdf15SenateEd0326AttachC.pdf

02:10 PM

Senator Hill distributed amendment L.004 (Attachment D) and explained the amendment. Senator Merrifield distributed amendments L.005, L.006, L.007, L.008, L.009, L.010, L.011, and L.012 (Attachments E through L). Committee discussion ensued.

15SenateEd0326AttachD.pdf15SenateEd0326AttachD.pdf 15SenateEd0326AttachE.pdf15SenateEd0326AttachE.pdf

15SenateEd0326AttachF.pdf15SenateEd0326AttachF.pdf 15SenateEd0326AttachG.pdf15SenateEd0326AttachG.pdf

15SenateEd0326AttachH.pdf15SenateEd0326AttachH.pdf 15SenateEd0326AttachI.pdf15SenateEd0326AttachI.pdf

15SenateEd0326AttachJ.pdf15SenateEd0326AttachJ.pdf 15SenateEd0326AttachK.pdf15SenateEd0326AttachK.pdf

15SenateEd0326AttachL.pdf15SenateEd0326AttachL.pdf

02:15 PM -- Ethan Hemming, Executive Director of CSI, spoke in support of the bill. He provided background information about CSI, and stated that CSI has improved its district performance rating over the past four years and has not renewed the contracts of several charter schools. He stated that many charter schools have boards and are locally managed, which provides for local control. He talked about what CSI can do about schools that are rated priority improvement and turnaround. Mr. Hemming answered questions from the committee.

02:25 PM -- Michael Clough, Superintendent of Sheridan School District and also representing the Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE), spoke in opposition to the bill. He stated that the bill is built on a shaky accreditation system and that there will be a loss of local control if the bill passes. He said the bill usurps the power of local school boards and the State Board of Education (SBE). He spoke about how he would like to see the bill amended and answered questions from the committee.

02:36 PM -- Amber Micciche, representing herself as a parent, spoke in support of the bill. She talked about her personal experiences with the charter school system.

02:41 PM -- Michelle Murphy, representing the Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB), spoke in opposition to the bill. She told the committee why CASB does not support the bill. She talked about the negative impacts the accreditation system has on schools with high rates of poverty, and about rulings in applicable court cases. Ms. Murphy answered questions from the committee.

02:55 PM -- David Singer, representing University Preparatory School, spoke in support of the bill. He provided background information about his school, and told the committee about his professional background. He stated that a large percentage of the students at his school have some type of special needs. He talked about how his school has helped students and about why he supports the bill. Mr. Singer answered questions from the committee.

03:06 PM -- Liz Wolfson, representing Girls Athletic Leadership School, spoke in support of the bill. She provided background information about her school, and discussed the need for openness and quality choices for parents.

03:10 PM -- Val Flores, representing herself, spoke in opposition to the bill. She said that the SBE is currently working on ways to help school districts. She stated that there are many other ways to help school districts besides having charter schools within the district. Dr. Flores answered questions from the committee.

03:29 PM -- Kelly Hibler, representing herself, spoke in support of the bill. She spoke about the need to offer alternatives to parents and stated that charter schools exist to fill a void. Ms. Hibler answered questions from the committee.

03:37 PM -- Leslie Colwell, representing the Colorado Children's Campaign, spoke in support of the bill. She provided background information about her organization, and stated that the bill is a reasonable and responsible way to provide educational opportunities to students. She said that having a choice of authorizer will allow a charter school to choose an authorizer that best fits the school. She said that bill will provide more opportunities to kids in the highest need areas.

03:40 PM -- Shelly Hora, representing herself as a parent, spoke in support of the bill. She talked about her personal experiences having students in a charter school. Ms. Hora answered questions from the committee.

03:47 PM -- Allen Drummond, representing himself as a parent and teacher, spoke in support of the bill. He provided background information about the charter school at which he teaches, and explained that his school is the third oldest charter school in the state.

03:51 PM -- James Coleman, representing Ace Scholarships and Highline Academy Charter School, spoke in support of the bill. He spoke about why his organization supports the bill, and talked about how high quality charter schools provide healthy competition.

03:53 PM -- Luke Ragland, representing Colorado Succeeds, spoke in support of the bill. He provided background information about his organization and talked about why his organization supports the bill. He spoke about the importance of school choice and about the growing demand by parents for high-quality charter schools. He stated that school choice works.


03:56 PM

There were no more witnesses and Senator Holbert closed public testimony. The committee recessed.


04:19 PM

The committee came back to order. The committee discussed amendment L.004 (Attachment D).
BILL:SB15-216
TIME: 04:26:54 PM
MOVED:Hill
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.004 (Attachment D). The motion passed on a vote of 8-1.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Holbert
Yes
Johnston
Yes
Kerr
Yes
Merrifield
No
Neville T.
Yes
Todd
Yes
Woods
Yes
Marble
Yes
Hill
Yes
YES: 8 NO: 1 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


04:29 PM

Senator Merrifield explained amendment L.005 (Attachment E). Committee discussion ensued.
BILL:SB15-216
TIME: 04:29:45 PM
MOVED:Merrifield
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.005 (Attachment E). The motion failed on a vote of 3-6.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Holbert
No
Johnston
No
Kerr
Yes
Merrifield
Yes
Neville T.
No
Todd
Yes
Woods
No
Marble
No
Hill
No
YES: 3 NO: 6 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


04:32 PM

Senator Merrifield explained amendment L.006 (Attachment F). Committee discussion ensued.
BILL:SB15-216
TIME: 04:32:43 PM
MOVED:Merrifield
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.006 (Attachment F). The motion failed on a vote of 3-6.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Holbert
No
Johnston
No
Kerr
Yes
Merrifield
Yes
Neville T.
No
Todd
Yes
Woods
No
Marble
No
Hill
No
YES: 3 NO: 6 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


04:33 PM

Senator Merrifield explained amendment L.007 (Attachment G).
BILL:SB15-216
TIME: 04:34:26 PM
MOVED:Merrifield
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.007 (Attachment G). The motion failed on a vote of 1-8.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Holbert
No
Johnston
No
Kerr
No
Merrifield
Yes
Neville T.
No
Todd
No
Woods
No
Marble
No
Hill
No
YES: 1 NO: 8 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


04:36 PM

Senator Merrifield explained amendment L.008 (Attachment H).
BILL:SB15-216
TIME: 04:37:22 PM
MOVED:Merrifield
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.008 (Attachment H). The motion failed on a vote of 1-8.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Holbert
No
Johnston
No
Kerr
No
Merrifield
Yes
Neville T.
No
Todd
No
Woods
No
Marble
No
Hill
No
YES: 1 NO: 8 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


04:38 PM

Senator Merrifield explained amendment L.009 (Attachment I).

04:42 PM -- Julie Pelegrin, Office of Legislative Legal Services, came to the table to answer questions about amendment L.009 (Attachment I).
BILL:SB15-216
TIME: 04:48:33 PM
MOVED:Merrifield
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.009 (Attachment I). The motion failed on a vote of 3-6.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Holbert
No
Johnston
No
Kerr
Yes
Merrifield
Yes
Neville T.
No
Todd
Yes
Woods
No
Marble
No
Hill
No
YES: 3 NO: 6 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


04:49 PM

Senator Merrifield explained amendment L.010 (Attachment J).
BILL:SB15-216
TIME: 04:50:32 PM
MOVED:Merrifield
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.010 (Attachment J). The motion failed on a vote of 1-8.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Holbert
No
Johnston
No
Kerr
No
Merrifield
Yes
Neville T.
No
Todd
No
Woods
No
Marble
No
Hill
No
YES: 1 NO: 8 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


04:51 PM

Senator Merrifield explained amendment L.011 (Attachment K).
BILL:SB15-216
TIME: 04:52:24 PM
MOVED:Merrifield
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.011 (Attachment K). The motion failed on a vote of 3-6.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Holbert
No
Johnston
No
Kerr
Yes
Merrifield
Yes
Neville T.
No
Todd
Yes
Woods
No
Marble
No
Hill
No
YES: 3 NO: 6 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


04:54 PM

Senator Merrifield explained amendment L.012 (Attachment L). Committee discussion ensued.
BILL:SB15-216
TIME: 05:13:28 PM
MOVED:Merrifield
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.012 (Attachment L). The motion failed on a vote of 3-6.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Holbert
No
Johnston
No
Kerr
Yes
Merrifield
Yes
Neville T.
No
Todd
Yes
Woods
No
Marble
No
Hill
No
YES: 3 NO: 6 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL

BILL:SB15-216
TIME: 05:15:58 PM
MOVED:Hill
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 15-216, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 6-3.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Holbert
Yes
Johnston
Yes
Kerr
No
Merrifield
No
Neville T.
Yes
Todd
No
Woods
Yes
Marble
Yes
Hill
Yes
YES: 6 NO: 3 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS