S_ED_2019A 01/24/2019 01:37:38 PM Committee Summary

Senators Zenzinger and Coram, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 19-003 which concerns an educator loan forgiveness program to help retain teachers.  The sponsors discussed the need to recruit and retain teachers, especially in rural districts, and provided specifics about the educator loan forgiveness program established by the bill.

Senator Zenzinger answered questions from the committee.  Committee discussion ensued.

The following people testified on the bill:

Michelle Murphy, Executive Director of the Colorado Rural Schools Alliance, spoke in support of the bill.  Ms. Murphy answered questions from the committee.

Evie Hudak, representing the Colorado Parent Teacher Association, spoke in support of the bill.

Kevin Vick, representing the Colorado Education Association, spoke in support of the bill.

Robert Mitchell, representing the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, spoke in support of the bill.

Matt Cook, representing the Colorado Association of School Boards and the Colorado Association of School Executives, spoke in support of the bill.

Dale McCall, representing the Colorado Boards of Cooperative Education Services Association, spoke in support of the bill.

Leslie Colwell, representing the Colorado Children's Campaign, spoke in support of the bill. Ms. Colwell answered questions from the committee.

Sue Sava, representing the Public Education and Business Coalition, spoke in support of the bill.

Courtney Allen, representing the Colorado School Counselors Association, spoke in support of the bill.

The co-sponsors distributed and explained Amendment L.001 (Attachment A).

Senator Lundeen distributed and explained amendments L.003 and L.004 (Attachments B and C).  The committee discussed the amendments.  Senator Lundeen agreed to run amendment L.003 (Attachment B) as a floor amendment on second reading.  

Anna Gerstle, Legislative Council Staff, came to the table to answer questions from the committee. Committee discussion ensued.

Senator Story took over as committee chair.  Senators Todd and Coram, co-sponsors, presented Senate Bill 19-009 which concerns providing financial incentives for educators to work in rural areas.  The co-sponsors answered questions from the committee.

The following people testified on the bill:

Dale McCall, representing the Colorado Boards of Cooperative Education Services Association, the Colorado Rural Schools Alliance, and the Colorado Association of School Executives, spoke in support of the bill.  Mr. McCall answered questions from the committee.

Evan Kennedy, representing the Public Education and Business Coalition, spoke in support of the bill.  He distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment D).

Cassie Harrelson, representing the Colorado Education Association, spoke in support of the bill.

Samantha Nuechterlein, representing Education Reform Now, spoke in support of the bill.

Senator Todd provided closing comments on the bill.

Anna Gerstle, Legislative Council Staff, came to the table to answer questions.

Harvey Rude and Valerie Sherman, representing the Colorado Center for Rural Education, came to the table to answer questions from the committee.