I_SFinance_2018A 07/31/2018 09:08:00 AM Committee Summary

The committee members provided opening remarks regarding the committee's charge to study school finance issues.

Richard Seder, representing FourPoint Education Partners, spoke on an evaluation model to help better understand school finance return on investments. He provided a presentation on an improved school finance system (Attachment A).

The chair discussed changes to the agenda.

Mr. Seder asked for feedback regarding the year one report and interests from the members regarding finance formula changes. The committee members discussed the need for additional analysis on the year-one report to help the committee make recommendations on Colorado's school finance formula.

Committee discussion ensued.

Mr. Seder spoke on the school finance simulation model which will help provide guidance on the formula and funding allocation. He provided examples of school funding parameters that can be simulated in the model.

Mr. Seder discussed the use of cost estimation tools. He answered questions from the committee regarding base funding and student outcomes. Mr. Seder discussed base funding in other states.

Mr. Seder discussed the importance of technology applications to provide contemporary education and how that impacts school funding.

Committee discussion ensued.

Mr. Seder answered questions from the committee regarding the issues of school finance at the state, local, and school levels.

Mr. Seder answered questions from the committee regarding economies of scale for schools, based on the number of students in the school.

Committee discussion ensued regarding district economies of scale.

Committee discussion continued regarding the sizes on school districts and the potential impacts of funding.

Mr. Seder answered questions on the lack of research related to the costs of enforcing state regulations on districts.

Committee members discussed the increased transparency regarding school funding.

Mr. Seder answered questions regarding the analysis of student outcomes and return on investment.

The committee members discussed the impact of excellent teachers on student performance.

Committee discussion ensued regarding student achievement in free market and central control programs.

Mr. Seder discussed instructional coaching to improve teacher effectiveness and the impact on student outcomes.

The committee members discussed systemic improvement to bring about change in racial disparities.

Mr. Seder continued his presentation regarding returns on investment from school funding strategies.

The committee recessed.

The committee came back to order.

Brett Ridgway, Chief Business Officer, El Paso County School District 49, discussed innovation ideas from the school district level. He provided a presentation handout to the committee members [Attachment B].

Mr. Ridgway provided observations regarding district equity, specifically related to the size, location, and additional challenges for schools. He discussed the impact of transportation and technology costs.  Mr. Ridgeway also spoke on the urban, suburban, and rural status of schools and the challenges associated with teacher performance.

Mr. Ridgway answered questions from the committee regarding economies of scale. The committee members discussed the distribution of funds to address inequity in the current system.

Mr. Ridgway spoke on local contributions of school district funding. He discussed assessed value per student as the best means for district performance. In addition, Mr. Ridgway discussed mill levy overrides and the impact on the local districts.

Mr. Ridgway discussed the local contributions to school finance and the impact on district equity as it relates to needs of each school district.

Mr. Ridgway discussed an incentivized matching program to make local overrides more attractive local voters, in order to level the equity between districts. He answered questions from the committee regarding local control issues.

Committee discussion ensued regarding an incentive program and the current state share to school districts.

Mr. Ridgway answered questions from the committee regarding the current state requirements regarding equity. Committee members continued to discuss inequity in the current school finance system.

Mr. Ridgway answered questions from the committee regarding residential assessments versus agricultural and commercial property assessments. He continued to discuss the proposed override incentive program.

Committee discussion ensude.

The committee discussed the proposed override incentive program in Mr. Ridgway's presentation. Mr. Ridgeway answered questions from the committee regarding assistance to school districts and the necessary local contribution.

The committee asked questions concerning school districts that have already applied mill levy overrides. Mr. Ridgway argued that district equity creates student equity.

Committee members asked questions concerning school districts that have already applied mill levy overrides.

The committee recessed.

The committee came back to order.

The chair discussed the process for coming up with values for education in the state.

The committee members discussed the ideas of equity, full-day kindergarten, performance outcomes, early childhood education, and performance outcomes.

The committee discussed the purview of the committee and the importance of local control and accountability standards. Members discussed the need to address the concerns of local school districts, superintendents, students, parents, and individual schools.

Committee members discussed what other states are doing to address the needs of schools and students.

The committee discussed missing resources for student achievement and the importance of having high quality teachers in the classroom.

The committee discussed the importance of more money in the classroom and higher pay for highly effective teachers, and how that is achieved. Representative Hamner spoke on the values of the current system. Representative Buckner spoke on the need to provide resources for teachers, students, and parents.

Members spoke on the issues of attitude, meaning, competence, and inclusion in education.

Committee members discussed equity, excellence, and opportunity for student achievement.

Committee discussion ensued.

The committee discussed the current school finance formula and the need to move forward with identifying a new school finance formula.

Mr. Seder spoke on the principles identified by FourPoint Education Partners. He discussed values versus mechanics. The chair spoke on the values of excellence and flexibility missing from the principles.

Mr. Seder provided a debrief on the discussion.

Josh Abram, Legislative Council Staff, spoke on potential school site visits.