Governor Culver has Signed:

1. Governor Culver has Signed: • SF 217 TQ/Phase II Salary Allowable Growth and • SF 218 Allowable Growth, both for FY 2011 at 2% • HF 233 Disposition of Property – effective now Continued concerns about 2%:

3. Labor Issues: Ch. 20 and CH. 279 • HF 794 PERB technical corrections. This same bill was amended with Ch. 20 Collective Bargaining and CH. 279 Teacher Termination changes last year • Resources on web: www.ia-sb.org select legislative advocacy, page down to Legislative Issues Information, where you’ll find “collective bargaining”

4. Other Labor Issues • Prevailing Wage • Choice of Doctor • Fair Share

5. http://www.ia-sb.org/LegislativeAdvocacy.aspx?id=5870

6. Budget: Pending • REC March 20 – lowered the size of the state budget. Gov. Culver resubmits budget by April 3. • 1.5% ATB for FY 2009 and FY 2010. Four percent allowable growth for FY 2010 is still law unless it changes. • No budget bill yet addresses how it’s is funded. • Two percent allowable growth is set for FY 2011. • Federal stimulus clarity pending – asking for miscellaneous income. • DOM will allow lowering a tax levy, but not increasing one after your public budget hearing.

7. HF 777 Open Meetings /Public Records & SF 282 w/amendmentIASB in happy with progressOn Calendars • Defines applicant files, of finalists, as confidential records – this provision is in flux • Protects your private email

8. HF 778 Design BuildIASB Supports On House Calendar • Pilot project for design build system (up to 10 pilots) • Design build process, anticipated to reduce change orders and speed up completion as contractors and architects work together. • 46 other states and federal government, and Iowa’s private sector, can use design-build as an option. • Design build will be an option for government bodies – it does not replace current design, bid, build

9. Writing Assessments SF 359: IASB Supports: On Senate Calendar but probably dead for this year • Writing test for 3rd, 6th and 10th graders. Bill requires DE to create it. Requires districts to implement 2012-12 for grade 10 and 2014 for 3rd and 6th grades. Also requires professional development on how to score the tests. • Estimated cost of $1.8 million (may be expensive to score)

10. Compulsory Attendance HF 259IASB Supports on House Calendar for debate last night but referred to ways and meansDrop Out Prevention Levy HF 282 • Requires attendance for 17-year-olds • Requires local and state level task forces to study necessary supports and impact of the law change on graduation • In addition to state aid that comes with each student, HF 282 expands maximum drop out prevention levy limit from 5 to 7% of budget enrollment

11. PPEL Fix HF 475 to GovernorSpecial Levy Waiting Periods HF 766IASB Supports • Allows PPEL election at special election dates in addition to the regular school election • Eliminates mandated waiting periods for Debt and ISL second attempts • Thank your legislators for working on these fixes 

12. TQ/Phase II Salary money in District Salary Schedule SF 445IASB Supports – WHY?On Senate Calendar • Committee adopted amendment for automatic reopener • Effective FY 2011 (already required to bargain distribution via Chapter 20 processes effective FY 2009) • Budget guarantee to receive at least the funds received in FY 2010 base year • 2% allowable growth applied (SF 217) • Streamlines the process – simplifies accounting • Politics

13. Mandatory Reorganization or 99 Superintendents • No bills – conversation starters • Advocates must be clear on state/local roles • State should eliminate barriers • State should enforce accreditation compliance • State should provide technical support and resources to improve instruction • School districts/boards are accountable to local communities • Beware the temptation to discredit other public schools. Unite on the big picture – adequate resources, quality professional development, increased expectations for students.

14. Advocacy steps after today • Follow-up with your legislators • Listen to CapitolCastas a board • Discuss the Education Advocate’s job description from the IASB web and assign responsibilities • Assign ActionLine and ActionNetwork local leader to report when local district is at risk • PAY CLOSE ATTENTION for the next 2-3 weeks • Keep IASB in the loop

15. IASB Advocacy: Resources to Help • IASB's Legislative ActionAlert Center: e-mail your legislators! • Local forum schedules and take along guide • Media links (press release templates) • Position Papers • Action Lines / Action Networks • New CapitolCast video • Links to legislators and their contact information (Legislative Directory) New Tool: Report local legislative conversations back to IASB http://www.ia-sb.org/LegislativeAdvocacy.aspx?id=6466

16. Law is made by those who show up. President “Jed” Bartlett, NBC’s “The West Wing” Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead