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The GAEL Capitol Opinion
March 17, 2017
And Now for the Rest of the Story
This week pretty much rounded up all of the cattle and got them in the corral meaning both the
House and Senate completed hearings on all of the bills assigned to them. What remains is if all
the bills will be voted out of committee and to their respective Rules Committees. There were
some surprises and some anticipated changes in bills. Some bills assigned to Judiciary and
Finance has not been voted on as of yesterday. Now for the scorecard as of today.
HB 338
The Governor's turnaround bill for underperforming schools. The Senate Education and
Youth Committee released its version of the bill on Wednesday afternoon and will vote
on the bill on Monday. Two changes of significant consequence are found in the Senate
version. First, the time for a school that is targeted by the turnaround program to
improve was increased from two years to three years before the more serious sanctions
are imposed.That is a favorable change to the bill and has been accepted by Rep. Kevin
Tanner, author of the bill. The second change many observers find somewhat
objectionable. The qualifications for the Chief Turnaround Officer has been changed to be
more general, specifically:
The Chief Turnaround Officer shall have the following qualifications:
(1) Extensive personal experience in turning around failing schools, including
expertise in turnaround strategies, curriculum, instruction, and teacher and principal
effectiveness;
(2) Has held the position of at least principal or a higher administrative position in
a public school system with demonstrated skills in school management, budget,
finance, federal and state programs, funding sources, and talent management; and
(3) Such additional education, experience, and other qualifications as determined by
the State Board of Education.
The concern is that with the absence of specific school based administrative experience the
position will be open to a political appointment rather than a true, seasoned educator with the
skills to make a difference in working with underperforming schools.
Perhaps my biggest concern about the Senate revision is that the CTO continues to report directly
to the Board of Education, not the State School Superintendent. That is problematic on two fronts.
The State Board meets for two days per month and no single Board member may speak for the
Board so what happens when issues arise and decisions need to be made and its three weeks to
the next Board meeting? Secondly the State Department of Education is a team and the State
School Superintendent is the team leader. I cannot imagine the confusion and disharmony of
having two quarterbacks in the huddle each calling different plays. This plan runs contrary to
accepted organizational dynamics but it does play well into the Governor's desire to be in direct
control of the effort-and therein lies a deeper concern that with the change in qualifications one of
the Governor's cronies would be appointed Chief Turnaround Officer and the opportunity to have
a significant impact in helping underperforming schools would be lost. It is a conundrum!
HB 273 The Recess Bill
You can count on this bill to pass out of Senate Education and Youth but it is being worked on by
the Committee to make it more flexible and workable.
As reported earlier, this bill is an excellent example how public input and testimony can influence
legislation.
SB 152 Limit of two semesters in alternative school
The bill has hit a stumbling block in House Education in that a number of members of the
committee want to see the bill changed from mandating no more than two semesters in alternative
to encouraging or preferring no more than two semesters in alternative school. The success of
this bill is problematic.
SR 192 Election of local superintendent
The constitutional amendment to give local districts the choice of electing their school
superintendent and having their Board appointed by the grand jury has run into some opposition in
the House. Though the bill got through subcommittee there appears to be significant opposition
from other members of the committee and the bill's future is questionable. It must get a two-thirds
vote on the House floor to gain adoption and that is questionable at this point.
On Thursday afternoon House Education voted 17-1 to DO NOT PASS the bill. It is
therefore dead for the session.
SR 95 Constitutional amendment to assign division of ELOST proceeds
SR 95 which calls for division of ELOST proceeds in multidistrict counties went through the
Senate with a unanimous vote and was defeated on the floor of the House but now the House has
voted to reconsider the measure and the outcome of the bill is cloudy.
HB 430 Applying Governor's Education Reform Recommendations to Charter Schools
The bill that would put all charter schools in the state, startup and state charter, under the
provisions of the recommendations of the ERC has hit a snag in the Senate Education and Youth
Committee. The provision that has caused the stir is bill's section that make schools that have not
been used for pupil instruction for two years available to charter schools. The Senate Education
and Youth Committee has indicated that provision will be changed before it votes on the bill on
Monday.
Senate Passes FY 2018 Budget
On Wednesday the Senate passed their version of the FY 2018 Budget. While there were not many
changes to the House's version of the Governor's budget, there were some that are of interest. The
Senate put $450,000 into the budget to enable video streaming of Senate committee meetingsheretofore closed to video even though the House has done it for years. The additional will make it
much easier for observers and those distant from Atlanta to watch Senate committees in action.
Very little was changed with regard to the Education budget other than some additional assistance
for CTAE equipment. Never fear, there are enough changes in the total budget that a conference
committee will no doubt be appointed to resolve the House and Senate versions of FY 2018.
Yet Another Attempt to Fix Something that is NOT Broken
Reps. Ron Stephens, Allen Peake, and Jan Jones have introduced HR 608 to establish a study
committee to look at school calendars. Interestingly enough there would be no educators on the
study committee with the exception of the President of the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in
Education. The remainder of the large committee would be politicians and individuals representing
the business and service industries. Never mind that the Constitution of the State of Georgia puts
such decisions at the local level. Stay tuned.
The Rest of the Lot (To read full bill go to Georgia General Assembly)
The following bills have cleared Committee (D PASS) or Subcommittee (do pass) and should be
finalized and sent to the Rules Committee by midweek.
HOUSE BILLS
HB
9
HB
114
Makes "up skirt" photography illegal (SB 45)
no vote
May not exclude MOWR students from Val and Sal
D PASS
consideration
HB
139
Make public school site financial budget and information
D PASS
HB
148 Unique identifiers for children of military personnel
D PASS
HB
198 Requires information on influenza vaccine
D PASS
HB
217
Raises private scholarship cap to $100 M
D PASS
HB
224
Permits students of military to attend any school in a system
D PASS
HB
237
Tax credit innovation/enrichment fund for underperforming
no vote
schools
HB
246
Repeals sunset on annual fitness assessment program
D PASS
HB
273
Requires daily recess or PE for K-5
vote M
HB
280
College campus gun carry bill
no vote
HB
338 Governor's failing school plan
vote M
HB
425
Permits parents to request pencil and paper test options
D PASS
HB
437
Recreates the Agricultural Education Advisory Commission
D PASS
HB
430
Requires certain ERC recommendations be imposed on charter
vote M
schools
HB
463
Creates public foundation for DCAL
D PASS
SR
354
Encourages compilation of MH and disability materials
do pass
SENATE BILLS
SB
3
CONNECT Act, industry credentialing and certifications
do pass
SB
29
Requires testing water in schools for lead
no vote
SB
30
Creates Sustainable Community School Operational Grants
do pass
SB
139
Permits local system to add leadership career pathway
do pass
SB
149
Requires SROs to be POST trained and 40 hour SRO course
no vote
SB
152 Limits alternative school to two semesters
do pass
SB
186
no vote
Clarifies that MOWR students earning an AA degree HOPE
continues
SB
211
Formative assessments for 3-12, one summative assessment
do pass
SR
95
Distribution of elost revenue among multiple district counties
LOST
SR
192 Allow elected superintendent/appointed board of education
do pass
If you have questions regarding any bill please do not hesitate to call me at 770-601-3798.
The Capitol Opinion will be published each Friday of the 2017 General Assembly. If you have specific
questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or 770-601-3798.
The Capitol Opinion is authored by Jimmy C. Stokes and is not the official position of GAEL or any of its
affiliates.