E0A4580DABC755118725838A0072426A Hearing Summary

Representatives Arndt and McLachlan presented House Bill 19-1036, concerning annual stipends for certain nationally certified school professionals.  Under current law, the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) awards $1,600 stipends to teachers or principals who hold a certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (board), and an additional $3,200 (for a total of $4,800) to board certified teachers or prinicipals working in a low-performing, high-needs school.  The bill adds school psychologists who are board certified and meet the other program requirements to the list of eligible school professionals who qualify for the stitpends.

Representatives McLachlan and Arndt responded to questions from the committee regarding the bill.

Shelby Ross, OLLS, responded to a question from the committee regarding how contracted school employees would qualify for the stipend under the bill. Committee discussion ensued regarding the bill and how school psychologists would qualify under the bill.

The following persons testified on the bill:

Dr. Melanie Potyondy, Poudre School District, testified in support of the bill and responded to questions from the committee.

Brad Reimers, Poudre School District, testified in support of the bill.

Brittany Hutson, testified in support of the bill.

Sacha Mittelman, Boulder Valley School District and Colorado Society of School Psychologists, testified in support of the bill and distributed a comparison of national certifications across school professionals (Attachment B) and a description of how school psychologists serve in schools (Attachment C). Ms. Mittelman responded to questions from the committee.

Senator Evie Hudak, Colorado Parent Teacher Association, testified in support of the bill.

Karen Smith, Colorado School Counselor's Association, testified in support of the bill.

Grant Orvis, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Representative Arndt distributed Amendment L.001 (Attachment D), which includes board certified counselors in the bill.

Representatives McLachlan and Arndt made concluding comments regarding the bill and responded to questions from the committee. Committee discussion ensued.