0CF5A20DB1120FE8872582240070F259 Hearing Summary

Representative Hamner and Representative Rankin presented and summarized House Bill 18-1002 concerning rural school district teaching fellowship programs.

Representative Hamner answered questions from the committee regarding the fiscal impact and the Department of Higher Education's role in implementing the program.

The sponsors continued to answer questions regarding the type of school districts that would be impacted by the bill.

Matt Gianneschi, representing Colorado Mountain College, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Gianneschi distributed a handout on Colorado Mountain College [Attachment A]. 

Dr. Gianneschi answered questions from the committee regarding the allocation of financial aid based on merit to address issues with the high costs of living in rural districts.

Dr. Gianneschi continued to answer questions from the committee regarding the definition of rural school districts.  He also answered questions on teacher shortages in rural districts.

Barbara Johnson, representing Colorado Mountain College, testified in support of the bill. She discussed the cost of recruiting new teachers.

Maggie Lopez testified in support of the bill. She discussed current programs to recruit and maintain student teachers.

Julie McCluskie, Summit County School District, testified in support of the bill.  She discussed the decrease of teaching applicants in the Summit County School District.

Kenia Pinela, a student teacher at Colorado Mountain College, testified in favor of the bill.  She discussed her experience as a student teacher.

Ms. Pinela answered a question from the committee regarding how additional financial aid would have helped her through the program.

Ms. Johnson answered questions from the committee regarding teacher shortages.  She also answered questions from the committee regarding current compensation for existing programs.

Matt Cook, representing the Colorado Association of School Boards, testified in favor of the bill.

Representative Hamner and Representative Rankin discussed the bill and issues related to teacher shortages.

Representative Hamner and Representative Rankin distributed and discussed amendment L.001 [Attachment B].  They answered questions from the committee members.   Representative Lundeen distributed amendment L.002 [Attachment C].

The sponsors answered questions and provided closing comments.

The committee members provided closing comments.