Volume 35, No. 13
May 8, 2009
Local Choice Prevails
School Start Date Bill Soundly Defeated
House members overwhelmingly protected local decision-making and supported education leaders setting the school calendar Tuesday. The House rejected the school start date bill, H.629, on a procedural vote by 56-28. By a hefty margin, lawmakers chose to allow school boards to prioritize student achievement. Despite the state tourism lobby push, the issue remains an education decision. Thanks to the many House members who voted to support school board members and superintendents and to protect local priorities. Special thanks to the many lawmakers who talked to local leaders in their districts before casting their vote.
A round of applause to K-12 leaders who contacted lawmakers to ask they focus on student achievement. You made a difference. You derailed early momentum by summer camp and tourism so public education needs could prevail. Several House members sought AASB to clarify misinformation about the bill and to confirm support for local preferences.
Local school boards continue to work with their lawmakers to accomplish the public’s highest priority – educating our children. It is our hope that the statewide effort to restrict local school calendars can now end and refocus on positive policy efforts to improve public education.
Flood Disruption Lingers for State House
The Legislature Thursday convened at the State House but had to finish business across the street at the old Capitol. Flash floods in Montgomery caused structural damage and the building’s power was cut off for safety concerns. Business continued in the historic Capitol, a nostalgic occasion for some. The make-shift set up in the chambers worked well enough for legislators to work in the heat and pass the General Fund budget and a number of other bills.
However, the State House remains closed and its computerized system for legislative information is down in the short-term. Links to bills and voting records are unavailable until further notice. As soon as it is restored, you will be able to see voting records again on AASB’s web site. Thank you for your patience.
Riley Signs $6.2 Billion Education Budget
School Boards Can Make Local Budget Plans
Just in time for May school board meetings, Gov. Riley signed the $6.2 billion Education Trust Fund (ETF) budget. School systems will receive their state funding information to compile their 2010 fiscal year budgets. The federal dollars flowing to local Title I and special education programs will help boost the severe shortfalls in local budgets. Flexibility measures also will help local school systems direct dollars to priority areas. However, there will still be holes in local budgets. But school systems are relieved knowing the worst-case scenario of drastic cuts can be avoided.
There is still much uncertainty about how the national, state and local economies will perform. The federal aid will span two years ensuring the Education Trust Fund receives some help in fiscal year 2011 as well.
The books are still open for the prorated 2009 fiscal year. No new information is available about whether the remaining Rainy Day Fund will be disbursed. Stay tuned.
For budget details, visit the Legislative Fiscal Office Web site:
Education Trust Fund: FY 2010 As Enacted
School Boards Urge Passage of
Constitutional Tax Authority: Support H.253
H.253 would authorize a constitutional amendment that, if approved by voters, would remove the super-majority requirement to renew a 1-mill countywide property tax for education already authorized under the state constitution. This is the only such tax for education with a super-majority requirement. Sponsored by Rep. Richard Lindsey, H.253 is pending final Senate passage.
A recent example of the need for the legislation is the dilemma facing Henry County. In a recent general election, 56 percent of voters approved renewing the 1-mill tax but lacked the super-majority threshold. Constituents believed they had renewed the tax but were shocked to learn their funding stream died. Meanwhile, a valiant effort to propose a new constitutional authority to keep local funding intact through H.529 is being squashed.
The leadership of the local superintendent and school board is being thwarted by a powerful individual in the community who hired an influential lobby firm to kill the effort. By spreading misinformation and flexing local political muscle, a few individuals are costing Henry County schoolchildren the opportunity to preserve precious local dollars for their education. It is a shameful situation that prevents Henry County citizens their chance to hold a referendum on the issue.
Local Budget Flexibility Enacted: Act 09-407
The new law grants school boards authority to transfer funds between line items for the current fiscal year. Flexibility for 2010 is allowed as authorized in the ETF budget act. The bill would allow flexibility in any fiscal year proration is declared at 3 percent or greater and for specific systems in desperate financial need as approved by the state superintendent.
The flexibility does not apply to funds appropriated for salaries, fringe benefits or student materials. Similar restrictions apply to Public
School Fund monies dedicated to specific capital
projects or debt service. It requires that
school boards submit their plans to the state Superintendent of Education.
Bills Pending Governor’s Signature
Drop-Out Prevention Effort Sets School Age to 17: S.334 The bill would raise the compulsory school age from 16 to 17 years of age. The bill would accomplish a goal set by AASB’s delegate assembly that supports requiring children to attend school until the age of 17. The drop-out provisions of the bill would apply only to public school students.
The bill would set up procedures for students over the age of 17 intending to drop out of school. If the student plans to withdraw prior to
graduation, the bill would require an exit interview. A parent/guardian would be provided information explaining the impact dropping out of school may have on a student’s future.
Teacher Program Background Checks: S.270
The House Thursday gave final passage to S.270, a bill that would require students applying to enter a teacher education program to first pass a background check. The Alabama Child Protection Act of 1999 already requires prospective teachers to undergo a criminal history background check (CHBC) to apply for certification. The bill would make that background check part of the admission process to a teacher education program at each Alabama two-year and four-year institution of higher education.
School Bank Program Option: H.143 would allow school boards to place certain funds in programs that provide full FDIC coverage for deposits that exceed normal FDIC limits.
Student Harassment Prevention Act: H.216 would create the “Student Harassment Prevention Act.” The bill would require the state Department of Education to develop a model policy for local school boards. It will include the development of a student complaint form that would be filed by a student, or parent/guardian, with the school principal. AASB applauds language added to ensure education employees are protected from potential exposure to liability from the legislation.
Bid Law Section for Schools: S.418.
The House gave final passage Thursday to S.418 by a 75-0 vote, and the Senate need only concur to send the bill to the governor! Legislation sponsored by Sen. Jim Preuitt and Rep. Mac McCutcheon would replicate the bid laws to apply to public education in a new section in the Alabama Code. Future changes could then apply only to education and not interfere with other local governmental entities that use the bid law for distinctly different purchases.
P.E. Bill Still Eligible for Passage
H.719 would put in statute the state Board of Education policy that requires 30 minutes of physical education each day for grades K-8, without any exceptions. AASB believes the state Board of Education is the proper authority to set curriculum standards. H.719 is pending in the Senate Business and Labor Committee.
Bills with No Chance of Passage
Any bill which has not yet passed in its chamber of origin was indefinitely postponed Thursday.
Among bills such as ethics reforms and gaming:
H.509: Rolling Reserve Budget Act
H.569: Revises minimum contribution for PEEHIP
H.629/S.544: School Start Date (oppose)
H.974/S.305: Tim Tebow Act (oppose)
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Local school boards work with legislative leaders to accomplish the public’s highest priority -- educating our children.
The final meeting days are scheduled
May 14 and 15
2 Days remain in the
Regular Legislative Session
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Alabama Association of School Boards
Celebrating 60 years of helping local education leaders improve student achievement.
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