DAY 19 It was a slow and cold day under the Gold Dome. The House and Senate met with no education
related bills on either agenda. The Governor quickly signed HB75, the FY15 midterm adjusted budget. The original educational budget changed
slightly. The QBE funding amount
increased to reflect the actual number of students reported, and the
equalization grant received an additional $8.5 million. The House is scheduled to have their FY16 budget work completed
by the end of this week. The House
Appropriations Committee is scheduled to meet at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday. In order for the FY16 budget to be completed,
HB170, the 2015 Transportation Bill, will need to be
finalized. The bill is still undergoing
revisions. The current bill has reduced
the financial impact on schools. Once
HB170 passes the House, it may undergo major changes in the Senate. HB170 still has a long way to go. A sub committee of House Education Committee, the Academic
Achievement and Curriculum Sub Committee will meet on Monday. The following bills are on the agenda: SB2, students who complete certain requirements relating
to postsecondary coursework awarded a high school diploma, and HR303, a resolution to urge the GDOE to develop and implement comprehensive
civics education curricula. The Senate Education Committee will meet on
Monday. A hearing will be held for SB133 and SR287, regarding the Opportunity School
District. Testimony will be provided by Dr.
Cindi Chance, Dean, College of Education Georgia Regents University. Public comment may be taken. |