Agenda - 06-06-2017 - 8-a - Minutes

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1 2 Attachment B includes an Informational item related to a Legislative Update on K-12 3 Education Bills. 4 Dr. Todd Wirt said HB 13 was approved as a two-year phase in, and this is a positive 5 movement. He said year one would have a district class size average of 20 students in grades 6 K-3, and a class size maximum of 23. He said in year two, the class sizes would go to 16, 17, 7 and 18. He said a funding stream is being considered for enhancement programs, such as 8 world language, physical education, the arts, etc. 9 Dr. Todd Wirt said there is some strong language for superintendents to insure that tax 10 dollars are being used to keep sizes smaller, and calls for superintendents to submit regular 11 reports on class sizes. He said the state superintendent of instruction is also permitted to 12 perform audits. He said both school districts would have no problem in providing this 13 information. 14 Dr. Todd Wirt said additional funding is still needed for this school year, and hopefully 15 there will be more of a funding stream next year. He said the HB 13 was the primary bill they 16 have been focusing on. 17 Dr. Pamela Baldwin said there are programs and systems in place locally to gather the 18 type of data the State is requesting, however these existing systems may not provide an exact 19 match for what is being requested. She said the schools are currently under a waiver due to 20 being a part of the Project Advance pilot, but this could change at any point. She said all 21 involved will be attentive. She said she is hopeful that the state will be helpful in phasing in HB 22 13, but that could change at any time. 23 Chair Dorosin clarified that HB 13 is being pushed out a year, but the expected 24 classroom numbers remain the same. He asked if the funding stream for specials is simply 25 being considered, and not promised. 26 Dr. Todd Wirt said the State's language was to provide a commitment to find a funding 27 stream to the additional programming. He said in year one, a gradual two-year phase in would 28 begin. He said the local school districts support and want smaller class sizes, but some of the 29 flexibility in funding has allowed specials programming to be offered, and the Orange County 30 community deems these important additions to the school environment. 31 Dr. Pamela Baldwin said as this process moves forward, it will be critical to find enough 32 teachers to allow for the small classrooms. She said teaching program enrollments are down in 33 universities across the State. 34 Commissioner Rich referred to HB 72, which pertains to video cameras on school 35 buses. She asked if local school buses already have video cameras. 36 Dr. Todd Wirt said OCS has them, but he would need to verify if they are on all of the 37 buses. 38 Commissioner Rich asked if this is another cost that will be passed on to the schools. 39 Todd LoFrese said CHCCS have cameras on the inside of all of their buses. He said 40 part of the State initiative proposed cameras on the outside of buses, to deter motorists from 41 passing a school bus. He said he needs to check if this bill will fund those exterior cameras. 42 Chair Dorosin asked if there was any update on the bill to repeal the ability to levy 43 impact fees. 44 John Roberts said HB 406 moved forward to Senate, as it was originally drafted. 45 John Roberts said Representative Meyers amended HB 436 last week in committee, but 46 that has not gone to the House floor for a vote yet. 47 Chair Dorosin asked if the implications be for Orange County could be identified, if HB 48 406 passes. 49 Bonnie Hammersley said the impact would not affect the budget until the impact fees 50 from the previous year are used. She said the impact fees are being used to the maximum