I_SFinance_2019A 10/22/2019 09:07:51 AM Committee Summary

Representative McCluskie called the meeting to order and made opening remarks.

Anna Gerstle and Meghan MacKillop, Legislative Council Staff, provided an overview of written comment submitted to the committee. Included is a memo summarizing public comment submitted through an online form (Attachment A) and written comment submitted to the committee via email (Attachment B).

Kirk Cooper, Superintendent Branson School District, provided testimony from the committee and distributed a copy of his remarks (Attachment C). He discussed how the formula accounts for online students in his district.

Krista Holtzman, Douglas County Schools, testified before the committee and discussed her concern of making changes to the school finance formula without additional revenue.

Mr. Cooper and Ms. Holtzman responded to questions from the committee.

Besty Bevis, representing Great Education Colorado, testified before the committee and discussed the importance of funding public education adequately and equitably. Bill Wilson, Superintendent, Brush School District and representing Colorado Rural Schools Association, testified before the committee and discussed challenges that rural schools face in funding education. Cindy Barnard, representing Taxpayers for Public Education, testified before the committee and discussed the importance of increased revenue with any changes to the funding formula. She also stated that collaboration with educators when making changes to the funding formula is essential. The panel responded to questions from the committee.

Rafael Reyes Orona, representing Climb Higher Colorado, testified before the committee. Kallie Leyba, representing American Federation of Teachers Colorado, testified before the committee. Prateek Duda, representing Democrats for Education Reform and Education Reform Now, testified before the committee. He also submitted comments to the committee via email, found in Attachment B. Leslie Colwell, Colorado Children's Campaign, testified before the committee and also submitted comments through the online submission form. The panel responded to questions from the committee.

The panel continued to answer questions and committee discussion ensued.

The committee recessed.

Grant Schmidt, Superintendent Hanover School District, provided testimony to the committee. He discussed his school district's financial restraints and the possibility of changes to the school funding formula. Superintendent Schmidt responded to questions from the committee.

The committee came back to order.

Brita Darling, Office of Legislative Services, and Anna Gerstle, Legislative Council Staff, came to the table and provided an overview of the process for the committee to request legislation to be drafted. Ms. Darling and Ms. Gerstle answered committee questions.

Representative McCluskie moved that a bill be drafted to create a new education system funding formula for preschool through twelfth grade that would address the cost of living and size factors, include a sparsity consideration, include English language learners in the formula, and make other changes, while holding districts harmless. Committee discussion on the bill draft proposal ensued.

Julie Pelegrin, Office of Legislative Legal Services, came to the table to answer questions about how preschool students are funded. Ms. Pelegrin, Ms. Darling, and Ms. Gerstle continued to answer questions, and committee discussion continued.

Ms. Darling and Ms. Pelegrin answered questions from the committee regarding how the creation of a new finance formula would impact the annual passage of a school finance act.

Senator Lundeen moved that a bill be drafted concerning the creation of a new education system funding formula for the students of Colorado.  The bill would incorporate changes of variables, including eliminating the cost of living factor, and adding a remoteness and sparsity factor.  Committee discussion on the draft proposal ensued.

Committee discussion on possible legislation continued.

Representative McCluskie made closing comments to the committee. Representative McCluskie announced that the final meeting of the committee is rescheduled and will be held on December 16, 2019.