Action Line for April 16, 2009
Volume XXXII, Number 14
These bills have been placed on their respective calendars, but without content of appropriations. The bills addressing standing appropriations are typically the last bills passed. It is also anticipated that these bills will include the appropriations for Phase II Education Excellence teacher salary categorical funds and the state share of the instructional support levy. These are also the bills that would include a cut to state aid if one is coming. The bills may include appropriation of the state federal stimulus funds (SFSF) to cover the shortfall of state dollars to fund allowable growth in FY 2010. IASB will apprise you of the details of the amendments when they become available. In the meantime, continue to stress the importance of maintaining 4 percent allowable growth in FY 2010.
There is still no sign of a collective bargaining bill or amendment. Stay close to your e-mail inbox as the session winds down in case some amendment or bill surfaces that makes changes to Chapter 20 or teacher contract termination. See IASB’s Web page for Collective Bargaining and Teacher Contract Termination Advocacy Resources, including talking points, at http://www.ia-sb.org/LegislativeAdvocacy.aspx?id=5870.
Use the following link to fill us in on any responses you are getting from legislators: http://www.ia-sb.org/LegislativeAdvocacy.aspx?id=6466. You can describe your conversations via the Local Legislative Contact Report.
Bills on the Move
SF 470 Education Appropriations
This bill makes numerous appropriations and changes to requirements impacting PK-12 school districts, AEAs and community colleges.
The bill was passed by the Senate, with a complete bill description in the April 3 Action Line, which you can view at http://www.ia-sb.org/Publications.aspx?id=7136. The House amended and passed SF 470 this week, and made the following changes:
- Requires public and accredited nonpublic schools (unless conflicting with the religious beliefs of the nonpublic school) to begin the day by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, including the requirement that students place their right hand over their heart and stand. An individual student may opt out, but must remain respectful and silent during the Pledge.
- Requires school districts to hang a United States flag manufactured in the U.S. no smaller than two feet by three feet, in each public school gymnasium or assembly hall in the district.
- Requires each public school board and nonpublic school authorities to adopt a policy restricting school officials or employees from posting student photos or other identifying student information on an Internet social networking Web site (such as Facebook) without the parents’ or 18-year-old student’s permission. The bill does not apply to photos or other information posted on the school’s Internet Web site related to a student’s involvement with school-related activities or accomplishments.
- Reduces the community colleges’ general state financial aid by $1.28 million compared to the Senate version of the bill.
- Increases the appropriation to the Iowa Empowerment Fund, presumably to restore $917,000 for early childhood professional development.
- Requires that dollars received from additional student weighting within the Home School Assistance Program (HSAP) be spent only on HSAP.
- Adds language establishing a state aid funded lab school at UNI. Students, living in Cedar Falls, who currently attend the lab school at state expense, will be counted by the Cedar Falls school district and then be considered open-enrolled to the lab school so funds will transfer from Cedar Falls to UNI. The new language does not create a school district out of the lab school. Original concerns still exist, especially those regarding accountability and student achievement and the assurance that the student population will be a representative, diverse population. To see information about the Lab School and IASB’s position, see the March 12 Action Line, http://www.ia-sb.org/Publications.aspx?id=6934#Research_Lab_School_by_Education_.
- Requires the college student aid commission to track the unique student identifier from K-12 and report the number of unduplicated postsecondary enrollment option students and college credits given for PSEO, among other reporting requirements.
The bill moves back to the Senate, where the future of the House amendments is uncertain.
SF 464 – Biodiesel Mandate
The Senate passed a bill requiring retailers to sell only biodiesel which, at a minimum, must be B5. The bill was amended to restore the tax credits for B10 and above blends, provide the governor with the power to waive the requirement under certain circumstances and exempts generators from the requirement.
The bill was approved 31-19 on a largely party line vote. Republicans voting for the bill were: Merlin Bartz, Hubert Houser, Nancy Boettger and Jim Seymour. Democrats voting against the bill were: Mike Gronstal, Swati Dandekar, Wally Horn, Matt McCoy and Steve Warnstadt.
The bill moves to the House for consideration. IASB continues to oppose the mandate. School district officials and board members should contact their House members, particularly those members on the House Ways and Means Committee, to express concern about the impact of the mandate.
HF 475 – Election Changes including PPEL Election Date Flexibility
This bill fixes the drafting error in last year’s big election bill. Current law restricts PPEL elections to the general election date. This bill eliminates that restriction and allows school districts to hold PPEL elections at any of the four dates allowed by law annually. IASB requested the correction, now signed by the governor, which is effective immediately.
HF 777 - Open Meetings and Public Records by State Government
This bill establishes an Open Meetings, Public Records and Privacy Advisory Committee to oversee the application of the open meetings and public records law, provide guidance on the two laws and make recommendations on legislative changes to the two laws. IASB supports the bill, which has passed the House and is on the Senate Calendar.
IASB Government Relations Team
Margaret Buckton, mbuckton@ia-sb.org
Mary Gannon, mgannon@ia-sb.org
Emily Piper, emily80@mchsi.com
Marte Brightman, mbrightman@ia-sb.org
Delivery Note: IASB sends you the Action Line by the fastest method possible: E-mails are usually sent Thursday evening; the print version is mailed Friday. If you prefer the Action Line by a method other than how it's now being sent to you, please contact Marte Brightman at IASB, mbrightman@ia-sb.org, or 1-800-795-4272.