projector, how resources can be brought together to solve problems in public schools. He presented a school reform case study of a local school district. The target district was entrenched in antisocial, high-risk behavior and gang-related crimes and had the lowest test scores of any school districts in the state. Ogden City School District, community leaders, human service agencies, USU, and the State Office of Education formed a partnership to address the problem. They met together, surveyed all their resources, developed a program called "Prevention Plus"and engaged in an intensive skill- building program that concentrated on academics, social skills and self-management.

    Mr. Wayne Lewis, Legislative staff, described approaches used by schools and school districts across the nation to implement best practices in public education. Utah needs to implement a program it feels will work and make it an integral part of a comprehensive education plan.

    Rep. Frandsen said certain best practice systems work well in a business environment, and could be duplicated in public education. He felt the proposed program is a good way to link resources from higher education to public education. He said legislation will be introduced that addresses the implementation of best practices application.
    
3.    Educator Professional Development Legislation - Phyllis Sorensen, President Utah Education Association, updated the committee on progress made in a Professional Development Task Force chaired by the UEA. The task force has been meeting since the 1998 General Session and has reviewed professional development plans throughout the nation to incorporate the best ideas for a Utah professional development program. The task force wants to improve student learning by adopting a plan that encourages excellence in profession development and opportunities for lifelong learning. She said guidelines for recertification should include the following considerations: 1) a plan to improve student learning; 2) a balance of course work options for continual improvement; and 3) focusing on student achievement. Once input from all parties for teacher improvement is compiled, legislation will be drafted and filed in the 1999 General Session of the Legislature.

    Mr. Ron Stanfield, Coordinator for Professional Development, State Office of Education, said a lifelong learning program in professional development needs continual attention. The task force is conducting more research to determine the kind of professional development needed for Utah's teachers. Rep. Rowan was concerned that a professional development program may not be ready for implementation until the year 2000. Rep. Frandsen suggested the task force update the committee on its progress in this program. He felt educational practices are constantly improving and suggested the task force contact the Legislative Auditor General's office for suggestions. Rep. Buffmire suggested that professional development could be tied to teacher evaluations and felt there will never be enough funds for needed professional development.
    
    Mr. Jim Wilson, Associate General Counsel, reviewed draft legislation entitled Educator Professional Development Requirements that requires participation in professional development activities in order to maintain a certificate.
    The committee suggested amendments to the legislation.

    Sen. Steele indicated that this legislation does not dictate rules, but only states that professional development should be required for Utah educators.

    MOTION:    Sen. Nielsen moved to adopt Educator Professional Development Requirements as a committee bill, including the amendments:
             1.    Line 16 after "and" insert "at last three years of" educational employment.
            2.    Line 16, after employment, delete "of at least three years."    
    The motion passed with Rep. Rowan voting in opposition and with Senators Hillyard, Howell, and Hull and Representatives Allen, Bourdeaux, and Hogue absent for the vote.

4.    School Finance Task Force Report and Recommendations - Ms. Laurie Chivers, assisted by Rep. Lamont Tyler, reviewed recommendations from the School Finance Task Force. Proposals made from three separate subcommittees included: 1) the certified tax rate; 2) review of the transportation formula; and 3) providing additional support for opening new schools.

    Sen. Stephenson was concerned with several School Finance Task Force recommendations. He felt subcommittee membership was too closely tied to the education community. There would have been less concern with subcommittee recommendations if their memberships were balanced and included taxpayers representing other areas of the state. He said accommodations should be made to the certified tax rate, but some of these recommendations may face stiff opposition when legislators recognize taxes can be raised without the truth in taxation process. Ms. Chivers said moving outside the certified tax rate offered greater equity in the school finance formula.

5.    Textbook Legislation - Mr. Jim Wilson said proposed legislation, Textbooks in Public Schools, prohibited school districts from charging textbook fees beginning in the 1999 school year; except for a refundable deposit or for textbooks required in concurrent enrollment classes. He reviewed other changes and noted that legislative intent is to provide an equitable school system.

    After discussing the draft legislation, the committee felt it should clearly state that no textbook fees may be charged and a $50 appropriation per student would be spent first to eliminate or reduce textbook fees with any balances spent to reduce other fees. Sen. Steele noted that $50 may not be the actual cost of textbooks, but could supplement the actual cost. Rep. Rowan felt the bill could be simplified and she proposed an amendment.

    MOTION:    Rep. Rowan made a motion to amend the proposed legislation by removing lines 8-19 on page 3 of the bill. The motion passed unanimously with Senators Hillyard, Hull, and Nielson and Rep. Koehn being absent for the vote.

    Mr. Steven Baugh, State Board of Education, said although districts are requesting removal of a textbook fee, they are unable to supplant that fee from somewhere else in their budgets. He felt education should not be funded through textbook fees and the Legislature should be willing to make up the loss of revenue. Supt. Bean was concerned that a school district would be unable to take care of its own financial needs if a freeze on other fees was imposed.

    Rep. Allen felt this bill is not a solution for most high school students. She said secondary students have the ability to earn their own money to pay for books. It gives them a sense of responsibility and ownership and they can use the text in any way they need as a learning tool.

     MOTION:    Sen. Howell moved that Textbooks in Public Education be passed out as a committee bill. The motion passed with Sen. Stephenson and Representatives Allen, Bigelow, Hogue, and Tyler voting in opposition and with Senators Hillyard, Hull, and Nielson and Representatives Keele and Koehn absent for the vote.

6.    School Building Inspection Legislation. Mr. Jim Wilson referred to two separate drafts of legislation included in the agenda packet regarding school building inspections. He said both bills will be presented to a school construction committee appointed by the State Board of Education. He will be returning the bills to the construction committee with interim committee recommendations.
    
7.    School Activities Legislation. Due to the lack of a quorum, Sen. Steele asked the committee to study the school activities legislation and respond to it in the November meeting.

8.     Statutory Report - Allocations for Class Size Reduction in Grades 7 and 8. - Ms. Vicky Dahn, State Office of Education, distributed information on class size reductions in grades 7 and 8 and reported on a $9 million allocation distributed for middle school class size reduction as required by H.B. 182. Each district is in various stages of compliance. She also referred to the summary of where reductions are being made in each school district.
    
9.    Statutory Report - Modified School Week - Mr. David Nelson, IBRIC, referred to a summary in the agenda packet that assesses the impact of a modified school week in Activities Region XV. He explained this effort is a five-year pilot experiment for a region requesting a modified school week. The summary included years one and two of the program. He reviewed those areas that are considered in making his ongoing evaluation. He said he will continue to report periodically to the committee.


10.    Adjournment

    MOTION:    The meeting was adjourned at 4:44 p.m.