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Legislative News
When the 2009 – 2010 school year begins some new laws will be in effect. The past legislative session passed 48 laws pertaining to education. Three of those laws pertained to educating law enforcement officers and will not be discussed further here. The Governor vetoed 5 other bills, including HB 1575, HB 2161, SB0586, SB0834, and SB1111. We are certainly grateful for his actions.
Let me state first that the legislature did not provide any additional funds with the exception of some operational money. The stimulus funds are being allocated at the time of this writing. There wasn’t any additional money earmarked for teach or support employees pay increases. School districts receiving stimulus money will certainly have some relief in areas of their budget that stimulus funds can be used, but it remains to be determined how they will use any one time funds they have.
The school year is now 180 days or not less than 1080 hours (HB1864). Cut scores on EDI tests determination will be approved by the Office of Accountability (SB222) and students must reach the proficient level to pass. Special Education hearing officers must receive training in special education law (HB1763). Teachers on temporary contract can have them extended one more year (HB1070). K-9 teachers are to receive professional development in teaching mathematics (HB1467). The legislature’s expansion of alternative certification is to include Teach for America applicants (SB582). The School Protection Act makes it unlawful for students to give false testimony against a school employee and authorizes “reasonable” force to control a student. HB1756 defines the use of historical documents in the classroom. SB0394 move to fifteen (15) days after the first Monday in June the teacher commitment deadline if the district has not extended your contract by June 1st. SB0880 removes the minimum membership requirement for retired teacher associations. HB1461 provides for school support teams in ‘needs of improvement’ schools. And finally, HB1882 defines bundled textbooks provided by the textbook companies and also provides for descriptions of the content revisions done in the textbooks.
Let me conclude this message with some thoughts about teaching. As you can tell from the legislation passed this year and those that were vetoed, the public is becoming less confident in public education. We all know there are teachers in our buildings who are not teaching to the level necessary to prepare our students completely. It takes the entire school working together to educate our clients (students) to the level required for today’s society. To those who have not been working hard to educate students, it is time for you to get with the program or move on. To all the wonderful, professional teachers who have worked so hard to realize success with their students, keep it up. You are greatly appreciated. And finally, have the best year ever and build to better ones to come.
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