Minutes 03-21-2022 Virtual Legislative Breakfast

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12 17)Priority School Issues — Support legislation to address the following issues related to schools: a) Provide local school systems with calendar flexibility; b) Provide full funding for State allotments including Average Daily Membership (ADM) growth and infrastructure/capital, and support legislation to provide for an overall increase in funding based on average daily memberships outside of the current formula system; c) a periodic accounting process for State per pupil funds so that funds and pro- rated funds follow students to their respective schools, as opposed to the current process that only considers State funding allocations based on students' attendance location on a single day during the school year; d) Impose class size reductions commensurate with State funding for staffing; and e) Maintain full funding for Driver Education; 18)School Capital Funding — Support legislation to provide needed State capital funding to support school infrastructure, renovations, and new construction, and support a State bond referendum to address school capital needs; 19)Maternity/Paternity Leave and Benefits for School Employees — Support legislation which provides State coverage for maternity/paternity leave for all local school system employees that is similar to the coverage the State already provides to all other State employees; support legislation for the State to provide two (2) paid FMLA days to local school system employees; and oppose any legislation shifting the State's existing responsibility for employee benefits to local school boards and local governments; 20)Private School Voucher Funding — Oppose House Bill 32 and any other legislation expanding funding, eligibility, or availability of private school vouchers, which reduces available funding for public education statewide, encourages students to leave public education, and diminishes services and educational opportunities for all remaining public school students; 21)Virtual Charter School Expansion/Funding — Oppose any legislation expanding or providing additional funding to the State's current virtual charter school program based on its poor performance, failure to meet the needs of students, and the resulting negative impact on funding for public education statewide; GENERAL GOVERNMENT 22)Broadbandffi_gital Infrastructure — Support legislation, funding, and other efforts that provide counties with flexibility and opportunities to support options for increasing access to high-speed internet connectivity and expanding digital infrastructure/broadband capability to the un-served and under-served areas of the state. Access to high speed internet connections will reduce disparities, enhance quality of life for all the State's residents, and broaden opportunities in areas such as education, jobs creation, small business development, health care, civic participation, and growth in farm enterprises;