S_ED_2019A 01/23/2019 07:35:24 AM Committee Summary

Senator Todd, chair, called the meeting to order.  She invited the members of the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) to begin their presentation pursuant to Joint Rule 25.  Senator Zenzinger introduced the other members of the JBC in attendance, and stated that they would explain in detail several of the budget requests that were submitted to the JBC by Governor Hickenlooper.  She spoke about the increased request for total school funding and categorical programs, and explained the funding increases required by Amendment 23.

The JBC members answered questions from the committee.  The committee discussed funding for school turnaround support and the importance of evidence-based education policies.  The JBC members reviewed the budget requests for Colorado Preschool Program funding and the Charter School Institute mill levy equalization.  The JBC panelists answered questions from the committee. They outlined the increase in teacher salaries for the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind, as well as funding for the educator talent and professional development priorities as outlined in the final report of the Education Leadership Council.

The JBC members spoke about the funding requests pertaining to higher education, and explained that the budget request is to keep current tuition rates flat for the coming year.  The committee discussed the Fort Lewis Native American tuition waiver, teacher scholarships, support for educator loan forgiveness programs, and funding for History Colorado.

The JBC members continued to answer questions from the committee.  The committee discussed the definition of and funding for rural school districts, mill levy overrides, and the meaning of equity.  The JBC members answered questions about free and reduced price lunch programs and the ability of the state to buy down student school lunch debt.

The committee continued to discussed mill levy overrides in rural school districts and the cost of living factor.

Senator Todd invited the next presenter to the table.  Tracie Rainey, Executive Director of the Colorado School Finance Project, distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment A).  Ms. Rainey provided an overview of the distribution and make up of Colorado's preschool through twelfth grade students, and explained the definition of rural and small, rural school districts and their distribution around the state, the cost of living factor in the school funding formula, and the impact of the budget stabilization factor.  She discussed the rising financial cost of educating special education students, gifted and talented students, English language learners, and at-risk students.  Ms. Rainey discussed the impact of local elections in terms of mill levy overrides and bond initiatives, and how to evaluate school finance systems in terms of equity, stability, adaptability, and adequacy.

Ms. Rainey answered questions from the committee.