Stephanie Lovett-Bowman, Monday, February 14, 2011 | Filed under: School Funding, Legislation
While school funding is likely the dominant issue gaining school districts’ attention during this legislative session in both Missouri and Kansas, a number of proposed bills in both states could also affect schools.
In Missouri, the chairman of the Missouri House’s Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education, Rep. Scott Dieckhaus (R-Washington), has indicated his support for a number of measures, including bills tying teacher tenure to student performance, as well as those addressing open enrollment, social promotion, and cyberbullying. Bills that expand educational opportunities outside of the public school system for disabled students and those that expand Missouri charter schools also have the support of Rep. Dieckhaus. Last week, the House Workforce Development Committee heard testimony on HB 205, which would the Missouri Human Rights Act to provides protection to school districts and other employers against frivolous discrimination claims.
In Kansas, the chairman of the House Education Committee, Rep. Clay Aurand (R-Courtland), plans to hold hearings in March on a bill that would abolish the Kansas Board of Regents and the Kansas Board of Education in favor of having an Education Secretary appointed by the Governor. Other proposed legislation in Kansas includes a bill that would require online reporting of all expenditures by school districts and bills relating to at-risk students and non-resident students. The Senate is currently considering multimillion dollar budget cuts to schools after the House approved HB2014 last week. The bill would eliminate a $50 million budget deficit.
Continue to check this blog for updates on these bills and others.