S_ED_2020A 01/29/2020 09:48:40 AM Committee Summary

Senator Todd invited the appointees from Colorado Mesa University (CMU) to come to the table.  Kelly Brough, Alejandro Sanchez, Ronald Davis, and Alison Griffin, appointees to the board of trustees for CMU, came to the table and told the committee about their personal, educational, and professional backgrounds, and about why they would like to be appointed or reappointed to the board.

The panelists answered questions from the committee.

The following people testified on the bill:

Khatira Amon, representing herself as a student at Spring Institute, spoke in support of the bill.

Soumaya Sammie, representing herself as a student at Spring Institute, spoke in support of the bill.

The prior two witnesses answered questions from the committee.

Paula Schriefer, President of Spring Institute, spoke in support of the bill.

Isabel Cruz, representing the Center for Work, Education, and Employment, spoke in support of the bill.

The co-sponsors answered questions about amendment L.001 (Attachment A).

The committee continued to discuss the bill and the amendment.

Senator Coram and Senator Zenzinger, co-sponsors, presented Senate Bill 20-052, which concerns the creation of a smart school bus safety pilot program.

The following people testified on the bill:

Dan Snowberger, Superintendent of Durango School District, testified remotely in support of the bill.

Robert Brown, representing Montrose County School District, testified remotely in support of the bill.

Jim Pavlich, Director of Safety and Security for Montrose County School District, testified remotely in support of the bill.

The two witnesses testifying remotely from Montrose County School District answered questions from the committee.

Senator Coram read into the record a letter of support from Disability Law Colorado.

Ward Leber, representing the Child Safety Network, spoke in support of the bill.

John Simmons, representing School Safety Partners, spoke about the bill.  He distributed a packet of handouts to the committee (Attachment E).

Detective Daniel Sperry, representing the Child Safety Network, spoke in support of the bill.

The co-sponsors explained amendments L.001, L.002, and L.004 (Attachments B, C, and D).

Committee members provided closing comments on the bill.  The co-sponsors answered questions from the committee.

The co-sponsors answered questions from the committee.

The following people testified on the bill:

Hailey McMoore, representing Great Education Colorado, spoke in support of the bill.

Kristi Leech, representing Great Education Colorado, spoke in support of the bill.

Kallie Leyba, representing the American Federation of Teachers Colorado, spoke in support of the bill.

The panel of witnesses answered questions from the committee.

Cory Bissell, representing himself as a member of the Jefferson County Education Association, spoke in support of the bill.

Amie Baca-Oehlert, representing the Colorado Education Association, spoke in support of the bill.  She distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment L).

The prior two witnesses answered questions from the committee.

Jonna Levine, representing Support Jeffco Kids, spoke in support of the bill.

Shawna Fritzler, representing the Jefferson County Parent Teacher Association, spoke in support of the bill.

The prior two witnesses answered questions from the committee.

Eric Rothaus, representing the Department of Treasury, came to the table to answer questions about the impact of the bill on the Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) program.

Bill Ryan, Director of the State Land Board, came to the table to answer questions from the committee.

Senator Danielson read written testimony into the record from a teacher in the Montezuma-Cortez School District.

Anna Gerstle, Legislative Council Staff, came to the table to answer questions about the bill's fiscal note.

Senator Danielson explained amendments L.001 through L.005 (Attachments F through J) and answered questions from the committee.

The committee continued to discuss the bill and the amendments.

Committee members gave closing comments on the bill.