February
26, 2009
House Defeats Amendment to
Strip Away Teacher Bargaining
Rep. Torr (R) took
the opportunity during 2nd reading to try to amend HB1461 providing a form
of discussions for PSRPs or non-certificated personnel to attempt to strip
away teacher collective bargaining. The proposed amendment was
defeated 54 (nay) to 41 (yea). See how your
legislator voted.
Legislators Reach Mid-Term
By Wednesday evening, both
houses of the General Assembly had completed all they could to determine
which bills lived to see the next house and which didn't.
In the IFT track
were 151 introduced bills that were on our watch list. Only 48
survived. A unique school budget bill, a form of
unionization/discussion for non-certificated employees, tuition tax
credits (a.k.a. vouchers) and virtual schools survived among others
Highlights of Some House Survivors
HB1420
Teacher Recruitment Program. Rep. Vernon Smith's bill focuses on a
recruitment program and fund to encourage minority males into the teaching
profession. The bill finally passed 88-11, but not before two
amendments were proposed to alter salary schedules (see roll call vote on
amendment #1 roll
call 185) and to test teachers every five years for proficiency
(amendment #2 roll
call 186).
HB1461
ultimately passed out of the House with all Democrats
and 2 Republicans voting for the bill. What began as collective
bargaining for non-certificated employees became a meet and confer similar
to teacher discussions. The best part of the bill is that it
protects employees who want to join a union without fear of repercussions.
HB1076 Provides
that, after June 30, 2009, the provisions of a collective bargaining
agreement entered into after the expiration of an agreement apply
retroactively to the date of the expiration, unless the parties to the
agreement agree otherwise. Adds mediation-arbitration and final offer as
an alternative method of resolving an impasse in collective bargaining for
certificated education personnel. This passed out of the House
down party lines at 51-47. Although it has bi-partisan sponsorship
in the Senate, don't hold your breath.
HB1136
Testing of special education students. Allows a student who is a child
with a disability to participate in: (1) the ISTEP test; or (2) an
alternate assessment approved by the state board and as determined by the
student's case conference committee. Provides that the case conference
committee for a student who is a child with a disability may determine
that the student is eligible to graduate if the student: (1) passes an
appropriate alternative assessment approved by the state board; (2)
maintains at least a 95% attendance rate; (3) maintains a "C"
average or the equivalent; and (4) satisfies all other nonacademic state
and local graduation requirements. Provides that a student who is a child
with a disability may receive a certificate of completion if the student
completes the goals set out in the student's individualized education
program. Requests the legislative council to create a study committee
concerning special education rules and the placement of special education
students during the 2009 legislative interim. Amazingly this passed
out of the House with a vote of 96-0! Please hold the shouting
until April 29.
HB1606
creates the Comer school development program. Provides for the
establishment of pilot programs to benefit at risk students at public
schools having certain characteristics, and requires a pilot program to
include professional development for teachers, curriculum development, and
other elements. Establishes the school development pilot program fund to
provide grants to enable participating school corporations to establish
and operate pilot programs. This bill passed at 96-0 as well and
stands a good chance of making it through the Senate since co-sponsors
include both Democrat Rogers and Republicans Lubbers and Kenley.
HB1723
is the unique school funding bill that provides funding for one year.
This bill removes school funding from the Budget Bill (HB1001).
It is scheduled for a hearing next week in the Senate Appropriations
committee.
Senate Bills that Move to
the House
SB13
is the Teachers on school committees bill that returns annually
to be heard. The bill would restrict the number of teachers the
exclusive rep (union) can appoint to school committees based on the
membership percentage. The bill passed 28 Republicans voting for the
bill and 21 Democrats plus 4 Republicans voting against it. It moves
on to the House.
SB224
Defines "virtual school". Sets forth requirements for virtual
schools established by school corporations or charter schools. The
bill passed out of the Senate with 3 Democrats (Errington, Randolph,
Rogers) and 31 Republicans voting for and 15 Democrats and 2 Republicans
voting against. In the House HB1477
creates an online learning cooperative. It, too, passed.
SB528
Provides that a taxpayer is entitled to a state tax credit for a
contribution to a scholarship granting organization. Provides that the
contribution must be used by the scholarship granting organization in a
scholarship program to provide scholarships to eligible students.
Specifies that the amount of a taxpayer's credit is equal to 50% of the
amount of the contribution made to the scholarship granting organization
for a school scholarship program. Limits the total amount of tax credits
that may be awarded to $5,000,000 in any state fiscal year. If
you are really interested in this bill, please see it in its entirety.
The result of the bill could be a $5 million hit due to taxes
NOT going into the general fund. Three Democrats and all Republicans
but one supported this bill.
Keep in Touch with Your
Legislators
Phone calls, emails, and letters --
they all work when keeping in touch with your legislators. If you
don't know how to reach them, see the Legislator
page of the General Assembly website.
Upcoming IFT Events
March 7 is the Presidents' Council at
the IFT Office in Indianapolis. It begins at 10:00 a.m. Eastern
time.
Also on March 7 beginning at 2:00 p.m.
is the IFT Executive Board Meeting.
For a Convention you can bet on, come to Anderson May 1-2 for the Annual IFT Convention. Presidents received the convention call mailing in early February.