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Under The Dome: Monthly Legislative Update - March. Vinny Badolato, VP of Public Affairs Colorado League of Charter Schools. Webinar Protocol. Overview of webinar technology Asking questions Raising your hand Muting/ unmuting Technical Difficulties-Call us at 303-989-5356.
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Under The Dome: Monthly Legislative Update - March Vinny Badolato, VP of Public Affairs Colorado League of Charter Schools
Webinar Protocol • Overview of webinar technology • Asking questions • Raising your hand • Muting/unmuting • Technical Difficulties-Call us at 303-989-5356
Presentation Overview • Status of League Bills • Other Bills of Interest to Date • Budget • Colorado CAN • Ongoing Legislative Updates
Legislative Actions • Facilities access and financing • Enhanced LEA status for competitive grant opportunities • Improve food service program systems • Timely access to student data • Protecting capital construction fund
Facilities Legislation • HB 11-1055 Sponsors: Rep Beezley, Sen. Spence Passed out of the House with a vote of – 36/27 Assigned to State, Veterans and Military affairs committee • Key Details: • District charter can identify and request to use district facilities or land deemed available, suitable and appropriate. • District has 30 60 days to respond
Facilities Legislation Cont. • HB 11-1055 continued • If district refuses, charter can request evaluation of facility or land from CDE • If CDE determines that facility or land is available, suitable and appropriate, district must grant use by charter • No rent can be charged, but charter/district shall negotiate operation and maintenance fees
Facilities Legislation Cont. • HB 11-1055 continued • Districts are exempted from this if they have a fair, equitable and transparent long range facilities plan which includes charter schools. • No restrictive covenants clause that would prevent districts that are selling facilities from stipulating that the structure can not be used as a school in the future.
Facilities Legislation Cont. • Moral Obligation Program (SB 132, new bill #188) • Sponsors: Sens. K. King and Bacon, Rep. Casso – Passed out of Senate Education • Key Details: • Raise ceiling on program by $100 million • Bolster current reserve to keep debt-reserve ratio the same
Facilities Legislation Cont. • Moral Obligation Program Cont. • Open conduit issuer options under the program to competition • Prohibit trailer fees • Treasurer granted enhanced role in allocation and revocation decisions under the moral ob program
Grant Opportunities • HB 11-1089 Sponsors: Rep. Conti, Sen. K. King • Key Details: • Piggybacks off of bill passed in 2010 to allow charter schools to apply for federal grants without authorizer permission • Extends allowance to any LEA-eligible competitive grant issued by the stateor under ESEA.
Grant Opportunities Cont. • Passed House Ed 10-3 • Passed House Final Passage 49-16 What happened with the bill? Assigned to Senate State, Veterans, and Military Re-Assigned to Senate Edu. – Re-assigned 1 amendment which passed unanimously 7-0 Bill passed 7-0 (consent calendar) Passed House and headed to the Gov’s desk.
Food Service • Bill # HB-1277 Sponsors: Sen. Bacon, Rep. Massey • Key Details • Allow Collaboratives (SB10-161) to operate as a SFA.
Other League Issues • Timely access to student data (HB -1277) • BEST program (changing formula) • Capital construction
Bills of Interest • SB 11-069: EMO Best Practice (1412) • HB 11-1126: Improve parental involvement • HB 11-1277 Massey-Bacon Education Omnibus bill • HB Beezley Parent Convert Low Performing Schools bill (PI’d) Certainly more coming!
Budget “This stinks.” – Henry Sobanet, Governor’s Budget Director
Budget Cont. • Governor’s budget is grim for K-12 • Filling over $1 billion shortfall over two years • $332 million cut compared to 10-11 (approx. $500 per student) • Will be $836 million short of cost defined by School Finance Act • New revenue forecast was positive
Colorado CAN • League’s advocacy list • Currently 16,000+ and growing • Working on improving outreach • Expect several action alerts this session • Encourage sign-ups at League’s website under “Take Action”
League Legislative Updates • League’s homepage • Utilizing Colorado Capitol Watch to track and disseminate legislative information • http://www.coloradocapitolwatch.com/bill-tracker-votes/0/698/2011/0/ • Capitol Watch public page will be updated twice per week
Questions? Jason Callegari Public Affairs Associate jcallegari@coloradoleague.org 303-989-5356 x119 (o) 720-979-8024 (m)