Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
HOUSE
COMMITTEE ON
EDUCATION
Date:
02/08/2005
ATTENDANCE
Time:
11:02 AM
to
11:54 AM
Balmer
X
Benefield
X
Place:
HCR 0107
King
X
Larson
X
This Meeting was called to order by
McKinley
X
Representative
Merrifield
Penry
X
Pommer
X
This Report was prepared by
Rose
X
Cathy Eslinger
Solano
X
Todd
X
White
X
Paccione
X
Merrifield
X
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed:
Action Taken:
HB05-1089
Postponed Indefinitely
11:02 AM
The meeting was called to order by the chairman, Representative Merrifield. Representative Merrifield announced that House Bill 05-1163 would be laid over for action only until the committee's Thursday, February 10th meeting.
11:03 AM -- House Bill 05-1089
Representative Knoedler reviewed the provisions of House Bill 05-1089, concerning reduction in student enrollment waiting lists for public schools. He provided specific examples of public schools for which the waiting list to enroll is almost equal to the enrollment of the school. He said that within his legislative district, there are schools at which parents are very frustrated by the lack of options when waiting lists grow lengthy. His bill requires school districts of a certain size to adopt a plan to reduce the enrollment waiting list for any public school at which the enrollment waiting list equals or exceeds 50 percent of the school's enrollment.
11:10 AM
Representative King asked questions about the examples Representative Knoedler had provided in Jefferson County School District. Representative Benefield provided additional information about several alternative curriculum schools in Jefferson County School District. Representative King asked whether there were statistics available on the waiting lists at the schools, such as Denison Elementary School, being discussed. Representative Benefield responded to additional questions.
11:16 AM
The following persons testified:
11:16 AM --
Jane Urschel, representing the Colorado Association of School Boards and Phil Fox, representing the Colorado Association of School Executives, came to the table together. Mr. Fox discussed concerns with the bill and indicated that statistics on waiting lists can vary in accuracy.
11:19 AM --
Ms. Urschel, representing the Colorado Association of School Boards, also discussed concerns with the bill and testified in opposition.
11:22 AM
Ms. Urschel responded to further questions about her organization's concerns with the bill. Representative Benefield described discussions of the Jefferson County School District Board of Education regarding school size and waiting list issues.
11:26 AM
Mr. Fox commented on how decisions about schools and increasing enrollment should be approached and voiced support for the authority of the local school board. Ms. Urschel responded to further questions about school choice and charter school options and her experience as a former school board member.
11:29 AM
Representative Knoedler responded to further questions about school district statistics and the confidence of school district officials in that data. Representative Benefield made additional comments on the process for choice in Jefferson County School District. Representative Pommer raised issues regarding policies around admittance and expressed concern that certain schools may want to limit enrollment of at-risk students. Representative Knoedler responded to Representative Pommer's comments.
11:38 AM
There was committee discussion about how waiting lists are developed and how priorities on the waiting list are established.
BILL:
HB05-1089
TIME:
11:40:28 AM
MOVED:
King
MOTION:
Moved amendment L.001 (Attachment A). The motion failed on a 6-7 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
Rose
VOTE
Balmer
Yes
Benefield
No
King
Yes
Larson
Yes
McKinley
No
Penry
Yes
Pommer
No
Rose
Yes
Solano
No
Todd
No
White
Yes
Paccione
No
Merrifield
No
Not Final YES:
6
NO:
7
EXC:
0
ABS:
0
FINAL ACTION:
FAIL
11:42 AM
Committee members discussed the provisions in amendment L.001, which would require a district-wide enrollment waiting list for students seeking enrollment in charter schools.
BILL:
HB05-1089
TIME:
11:49:29 AM
MOVED:
King
MOTION:
Moved to refer House Bill 05-1089 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion failed on a 5-8 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
Balmer
VOTE
Balmer
Yes
Benefield
No
King
Yes
Larson
No
McKinley
No
Penry
Yes
Pommer
No
Rose
Yes
Solano
No
Todd
No
White
Yes
Paccione
No
Merrifield
No
Not Final YES:
5
NO:
8
EXC:
0
ABS:
0
FINAL ACTION:
FAIL
BILL:
HB05-1089
TIME:
11:53:16 AM
MOVED:
Paccione
MOTION:
Moved to postpone indefinitely House Bill 05-1089. The motion passed on a 7-5-1 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
Benefield
VOTE
Balmer
No
Benefield
Yes
King
No
Larson
Excused
McKinley
Yes
Penry
No
Pommer
Yes
Rose
No
Solano
Yes
Todd
Yes
White
No
Paccione
Yes
Merrifield
Yes
Final YES:
7
NO:
5
EXC:
1
ABS:
0
FINAL ACTION:
PASS
11:54 AM
Representative Merrifield announced that there would be a Joint Education Committee the following morning,Wednesday, February 9.
11:54 AM
The committee adjourned.