While debate in the House Chamber has been mostly about non-controversial tweaks to present law, there are major differences between the Education Reform bills passed by the House and the Senate.
I am serving with nine other Senators and Representatives on the conference committee which is charged with the responsibility of finding compromises and agreements between the two versions.
There are many areas of agreement and the major differences involve making decisions about the depth of support the state is willing to give our schools.
I continue to be concerned that we have not yet established school district allowable growth for the next two years. Meanwhile, we are receiving reports of plans to cut teachers and staff from across the state. Is education reform really about asking our schools to do more with less?
As of Thursday morning, the majority party offered to agree to 4% allowable growth contingent upon agreement to all of their provisions in the House Reform bill. Talks continue.
My goal in serving on the conference committee is to do whatever I can to influence the best way forward for our kids and our school districts.
