After the cloud of mischief lifted this 39th day, here are the results: House activity; SB283 The History of Traditional Winter bill was amended after line 4 with the original HB897 Title 20 bill. Later during the back and forth between chambers the Senate disagreed with the amended bill. As I said in my tweet this is a good thing that the Senate disagreed. The House postponed HB343 until day 40. This is one of the GHSA bills. The House Education Committee had a called meeting at 645pm to entertain a new version of HR 550. The original language of the option of electing local superintendents was stripped by the author Rep. Rick Jasperes and a House study committee is to be formed to review the involvement of the Federal Government in K-12 education. Specifically listing the Common Core and other Federal intrusions. Senate activity; SB810-HOPE Home Study- Score on Standardized Test, was passed and adopted. SB283 The Senate disagreed with the House Substitute (it added the original language of 897 Title 20 bill). SB288 The Senate agreed to the House Substitute as amended. This is another GHSA bill. The Senate added the other GHSA bill SB343 to to since the House Stripped that language out of the bill earlier in the week. The games they play! HB60 originally was the gun carry bill for judges but now it has been expanded to include most of the language from HB875 known as the gun bill. This was debated late into the night, amended and passed the Senate. It goes back to the House for agreement. 2015 Budget: The $314 million for supporting the restoration of instructional days, furlough days, and giving teachers raises remains in the bill. Technically you still have flexibility with that money although politically it is getting more difficult to use it for other holes in your budget. Be sure to provide the opportunity for an open discussion on the matter with your board and employees so they understand the decision some of you will need to make and possibly go in another direction. $3.2 million was added for sparsity grants to include an additional 22 school systems while holding harmless 21 school systems. $113 million was added for enrollment growth. $415,000was added to school nurses. $225,000 was added to expand the AG programs in Emauel, Thomas, and Walker counties. $125,000 was added for a one time planning grants in place of the Senate proposal(LT. Gov.) to add $50,000 for planning grants and $150,000 for two consultants to assist with review of charter and IE2 applications at the GADOE. The 40th day is Thursday, beginning at 9:30am. Follow us on twitter as we report the happenings- live. |