Skip to main content
Colorado General AssemblyToggle Main Menu
Agency NameToggle Agency Menu

S_ED_2017A 02/09/2017 Committee Summary

Final

STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING



SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Date: 02/09/2017
ATTENDANCE
Time: 01:31 PM to 05:16 PM
Gardner
X
Merrifield
X
Place: SCR 352
Neville T.
*
Todd
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Zenzinger
*
Senator Hill
Priola
X
Hill
X
This Report was prepared by
Rachel Kurtz-Phelan
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
Conf 17-Metropolitan State University Of Denver Board Of Trustees

SB17-061
Favorably Refer to Full Senate - Consent

Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only





01:31 PM -- Confirmation of Metropolitan State University Of Denver Board Of Trustees



Senator Hill, chair, called meeting to order. He explained changes to the meeting agenda and invited Stephen Jordan, President of Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU), to come to the table to introduce the appointee and reappointee to the board: John Pogge and James Mulligan. Copies of the Governor's appointment letter and their applications and resumes were distributed to the committee (Attachment A). President Jordan talked about some of MSU's recent initiatives and successes. Mr. Pogge told the committee about his past service on the board, and why he would like to be reappointed. He spoke about issues pertaining to funding. Mr. Mulligan spoke about his background, and his service on the MSU Foundation board, as well as the importance of public-private partnerships. He also talked about why he would like to be appointed to the MSU board. The appointee and reappointee answered questions from the committee. Committee discussion ensued.



17SenateEd0209AttachA.pdf17SenateEd0209AttachA.pdf
































BILL: Conf 17-Metropolitan State University Of Denver Board Of Trustees
TIME: 01:45:39 PM
MOVED: Priola
MOTION: Refer the appointment of James Mulligan and the reappointment of John Pogge to the Metropolitan State University Of Denver Board Of Trustees to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar. The motion passed on a vote of 7-0.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Gardner
Yes
Merrifield
Yes
Neville T.
Yes
Todd
Yes
Zenzinger
Yes
Priola
Yes
Hill
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS





01:46 PM -- SB17-061



The committee came back to order. Senator Hill explained the procedures for witnesses testimony for the next bill. Senator Priola, vice-chair, took over chairing the committee. Senator Hill and Senator Williams, co-sponsors, presented Senate Bill 17-061 which concerns distribution of additional operational funding to charter schools. The co-sponsors told that committee that over 12 percent of students in Colorado attend a charter school. The co-sponsors answered questions from the committee. Committee discussion ensued.



The following people testified on the bill:



02:04 PM --
Arlan Van Ry, representing himself, testified remotely from Adams State University in opposition to the bill.



02:06 PM --
Robert Alejo, Superintendent of Alamosa School District RE-11 J, testified remotely from Adams State University in opposition to the bill.



02:08 PM --
Jon Orris, Executive Director of Paradox Valley Charter School, testified remotely from Colorado Mesa University in support of the bill.



02:15 PM --
Mike Epright, Superintendent of West End Public Schools RE2, testified remotely from Colorado Mesa University in opposition to the bill. Mr. Epright answered questions from committee.

























02:23 PM --
Terry Croy Lewis, Executive Director of the Colorado Charter School Institute, spoke in support of the bill.



02:28 PM --
Dan Schaller, representing the Colorado League of Charter Schools, spoke in support of the bill.



02:33 PM --
Jen Walmer, Colorado Director of Democrats for Education Reform, spoke in support of the bill.



02:35 PM --
Scott Laband, President of Colorado Succeeds, spoke in support of the bill.



02:37 PM --
Mike Bowlby, representing the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and Colorado Succeeds, spoke in support of the bill.





02:40 PM



The preceding five witnesses answered questions from the committee.



02:55 PM --
Bruce Messinger, Superintendent of Boulder Valley School District and also representing the Colorado Association of School Executives, spoke in opposition to the bill.



03:00 PM --
Carrie Warren-Gully, representing the Colorado Association of School Boards, spoke in opposition to the bill.



03:03 PM --
Ricardo Martinez, representing Padres Y Jovenes Unidos, spoke in opposition to the bill.



03:05 PM --
Joyce Brooks, representing the Colorado chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, spoke in opposition to the bill.





03:11 PM



The preceding four witnesses answered questions from the committee about different standards and accountability and transparency measures for charter and traditional public schools, waivers from state requirements, and current practices for school districts sharing mill levy override funds with charter schools.



03:32 PM --
Natalene Espinoza, representing herself, spoke in support of the bill.



03:36 PM --
Bill Kurtz, Chief Executive Officer of DSST Public Schools, spoke in support of the bill.



03:42 PM --
Martha Gonzalez, representing herself, spoke in support of the bill.



03:45 PM --
Kaye Taavialma, representing the Ricardo Flores Magon Academy, spoke in support of the bill.





















03:49 PM



The preceding witnesses answered questions from the committee.



04:01 PM --
David Blackburn, Superintendent of Salida School District R32 J, spoke in opposition to the bill.



04:05 PM --
Kyle Earhart, representing Salida School District R32 J, spoke in opposition to the bill.



04:07 PM --
Mary Kay Hogan, representing Aurora Public Schools, spoke in opposition to the bill.



04:10 PM --
Tracey Johnson, representing Academy District 20, spoke in opposition to the bill.



04:13 PM --
Linda Van Matre, representing Academy District 20, spoke in opposition to the bill.





04:18 PM



The preceding witnesses answered questions from the committee.



04:28 PM --
Kelly Causey, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Colorado Children's Campaign, spoke in support of the bill.



04:31 PM --
Gina Schley, representing herself as a board member of a charter school, spoke in support of the bill.



04:35 PM --
Jonathan Berg, Chief Executive Officer of James Irwin Charter schools, spoke in support of the bill.



04:38 PM --
Wendy Sullivan, Executive Director of Montessori del Mundo, spoke in support of the bill.





04:42 PM



The preceding witnesses answered questions from the committee.




04:54 PM --
Brian Tanner, representing the Colorado Education Association, spoke in opposition to the bill.



04:59 PM --
Sonya Camarco, school board president of Monument Academy Charter School, spoke in support of the bill.



























05:05 PM



The preceding witnesses answered questions from the committee.



05:10 PM --
Sophia San Miguel, representing herself, spoke about the bill.





05:13 PM



There were no more witnesses. Senator Priola closed public testimony and laid the bill over for action only to a later date to be determined. Senator Priola also laid Senate Bill 17-137 and Senate Bill 17-144 over until a later date.





05:16 PM



The committee adjourned.