The House education committee has submitted a bill relating to education quality and cost control. It contains cost containment elements as well as a requirement for studies to be completed by January so that changes to the educational system will be considered after the potential effect on educational excellence, costs, anticipated future demands, use of resources, administration of schools and community involvement are understood. Some of these will have an immediate fiscal impact; others will provide the information necessary to make more responsible choices. The requirements of the bill, as it now stands are:
- High spending thresholds will be reduced from 125- 123% of the statewide average for the 2008-09 school year. This balances Act 130’s effect and recognizes that caps have reduced spending. But it also acknowledges that local school boards have already made tremendous efforts to limit costs. Act 130’s calculations by themselves could drive a large number of school districts, that are part of Union school districts, into a spending penalty even if they reduced their spending.
- Sp. ed. fiscal reviews will be used to identify high and low spending districts, and assist high spending district in their efforts to reduce costs by providing cost effective alternatives and a remediation plan. Districts that are not successful are subject to a 10% withholding penalty until they comply.
- The commissioner will also have the authority to initiate a due process proceeding when the extraordinary services review team believes less costly alternatives are both available and appropriate for a child.
- Local school districts will become eligible for reimbursement for 100% of all costs for state placed student when costs are incurred for the special needs of that student.
- Extraordinary services reimbursement for special ed. students will be reimbursable to their full extent.
- By July 1, 2008 Collective bargaining negotiations will be held at the Supervisory level but the final ratification will remain as the sole responsibility of the school board unless the school board were to determine otherwise. This allows for some consistency within a supervisory union but allows each school district to develop contracts consistent with their own unique needs while developing policies and practices for the goals they have in common.
- A State wide calendar is voluntary 2008-09; mandatory 2009-
In addition the following studies will be submitted in time for action next year.
By December 1st,
- Commissioner of Education will report on the results of the public engagement process,
- the Council on Education Governance will report on the potential effects of a governance change,
- the joint fiscal office will report on cost drivers including special education services, cost of personnel, and health insurance.
- an interdepartmental study of Medicaid fund use and implications for changes
- an analysis of human service functions that are performed by schools as social, economic and mental health needs have grown beyond the fiscal capabilities of the agency and to develop proposals by which schools can
account for the costs related to the human services-related services they provide.[/li]
By December 31, 2007
- a committee will review state and federal mandates, will identify and suggest recommendations to eliminate redundancies, outdated work methods, and capacity issues.
By January 15, 2008
- the Dept. of Ed. will develop a detailed proposal to integrate the financial management systems among all school districts.
I can be reached during the week in Montpelier by calling toll free at the State House 1-800-322-5616 where a message can be left at the Sergeant At Arms Office, by E-mail at
ggilbert@leg.state.vt.us, or at my home answering machine at 849-6333.
Gary Gilbert
State Representative
Fairfax/Georgia[/b]
