S_ED_2017A 02/01/2017 Committee Summary
Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
COMMITTEE ON JOINT EDUCATION
| Date: | 02/01/2017 |
ATTENDANCE
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| Time: | 10:16 AM to 11:32 AM |
Bridges
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X
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Buckner
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X
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| Place: | RM 271 |
Everett
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X
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Exum
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X
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| This Meeting was called to order by |
Gardner
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*
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| Senator Hill |
Garnett
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*
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Lee
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X
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| This Report was prepared by |
Leonard
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X
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| Damion Pechota |
Lundeen
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X
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McLachlan
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X
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Merrifield
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X
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Navarro
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X
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Neville T.
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X
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Priola
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X
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Sias
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X
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Todd
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X
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Wilson
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X
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Zenzinger
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X
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Hill
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X
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Pettersen
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X
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X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
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| Bills Addressed: | Action Taken: | ||
| Briefing by Joint Budget Committee pursuant to Joint Rule 25 Presentation by A+ Colorado |
Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only |
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10:17 AM -- Briefing by Joint Budget Committee pursuant to Joint Rule 25
Senator Lambert introduced the members and staff of the Joint Budget Committee (JBC).
Representative Hamner presented and summarized the Joint Budget Committee Staff Budget Briefing Summary FY 2017-18 (Attachment A). She specifically discussed pages 11 through 16 regarding budget requests for the Colorado Department of Education (CDE).
Attachment A can be viewed at Legislative Council.
10:27 AM
Representative Hamner answered questions from the committee regarding costs for student transportation. She discussed categorical funding to school districts and voter input for additional funding.
The JBC members answered questions regarding the Building Excellent Schools Today (B.E.S.T.) program and impacts to rural school districts.
Representative Hamner continued to discuss the CDE budget requests. She answered questions from the committee regarding the Institute Charter School Assistance Fund.
Representative Rankin answered questions regarding improving equity in the school finance tax system.
10:37 AM
The JBC members discussed uniform mill levys and local contributions for school district funding.
10:47 AM
The JBC members continued to answer questions from the committee regarding mill levy overrides and local control issues.
Representative Hamner discussed issues addressed in the briefing by JBC staff. Senator Lambert answered questions from the committee regarding the use of money from the B.E.S.T. cash fund.
10:55 AM
Representative Hamner summarized the budget request for the Department of Higher Education, pages 35 through 38 of Attachment A.
Representative Young discussed the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education (WICHE).
Representative Hamner summarized the budget request for History Colorado and funding for community museums.
Representative Hamner discussed issues addressed in the briefing by JBC staff.
11:05 AM
The JBC members answered questions regarding state obligations and the Federal Mineral Lease funds.
Representative Rankin discussed the State Land Board and the impact to local school district funding.
11:10 AM -- Presentation by A+ Colorado
11:10 AM -- Van Schoales, CEO of A+ Colorado, distributed a booklet (Attachment B) and a copy of his presentation (Attachment C). He discussed the variables in the performance of school districts. Mr. Schoales provided data on the improvement school districts, services to different demographics, and increase of standards. He also discussed current data on college readiness and student testing.
Attachment B can be viewed at Legislative Council. 
17JointEd0201AttachC.pdf
11:20 AM
The committee members provided comments about school district data and the sharing of information.
Mr. Schoales answered questions from the committee regarding the methodology of collecting school district data. He answered questions about measuring math and science skills relative to performance.
11:31 AM -- Lisa Birdie, Policy Director of A+ Colorado, answered questions from the committee. She discussed the analysis of the data and the improvement of test scores.
11:32 AM
The committee adjourned.