MINUTES OF THE

JOINT PUBLIC EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE

FIFTH SPECIAL SESSION

TUESDAY, JULY 2, 2002

ROOM 303, STATE CAPITOL BUILDING





Members Present: Sen. Howard Stephenson, Co-Chair

Rep. Marda Dillree, Co-Chair

Sen. Karen Hale

Rep. Duane Bourdeaux

Rep. Judy Ann Buffmire

Rep. Tom Hatch

Rep. Brad King

Rep. Karen Morgan

Rep. Glenn L. Way



Members Absent: Sen. Bill Hickman

Sen. John Valentine

Rep. Doug Aagard

Rep. Glenn Donnelson

Rep. James Ferrin

Rep. J. Morgan Philpot

Rep. John Swallow



Staff Present: R. Michael Kjar, Legislative Fiscal Analyst

Jonathan Ball, Legislative Fiscal Analyst

Ben Leishman, Legislative Fiscal Analyst

Patrice Shaffer, Secretary

Public Speakers Present: Ms. Karen Derrick, USBA Leg. Co-Chair, SLC School Board

Mr. Steve Norton, Superintendent, Cache County School District

Mr. Steve Peterson, USSA/USBA

Mr. Kim Burningham, Chairman, Utah State Office of Education

Mr. Steven O. Laing, Superintendent, Utah State Office of Education

Mr. Patrick Ogden, Assoc. Supt., Utah State Office of Education

Mr. Jim Eldredge, UEA

Mr. Chad Harris, Governor's Office

Mr. Rich Kendell, Governor's Office

Mr. Mike Bennett, Superintendent, Iron County School District

Ms. Corey L. Rowley, Legislative Coalition for People with Disabilities



Visitor List on File



Committee Co-Chair Stephenson called the meeting to order at 9:25 a.m.



Mr. Steve Norton explained various ways that school districts have used to solve budget reductions. He stressed the need for flexibility for local school boards. Mr. Steve Peterson answered questions from the committee.



Mr. Steven Laing brought attention to line 4) U-PASS (UBSCT 1 year delay) and other line 4) USOE Miscellaneous Cuts, lines 10-13 and line 15 of the Public Education Round 4 Budget Cut Scenarios. He also recommended that they don't move USOR to Workforce Services.



Mr. Patrick Ogden, USOE, provided a handout explaining the impact of budget cuts on school districts.



Mr. Laing answered questions about how other states are dealing with budget cuts. He mentioned that many are choosing the same approach as Utah and trying to allow flexibility in making cuts.



4. Governor's Office. Mr. Rich Kendell recommended to hold schools harmless. He addressed the $3,000,000 allocated for the high-tech charter high schools and explained the impact cuts would have on a grant provided by the Gates Foundation. Mr. Kendell explained the status of the high schools. He mentioned that they would only need to have $1,500,000 to $2,000,000 of the funding this year.



Mr. Chad Harris recommended that education be held harmless and asked the committee to reexamine the use of sales tax in two areas--the tax used to subsidize roads maintained at the city level, and the subsidizing of water rates with sales tax. Rep. Way asked for clarification on the road maintenance taxes. Rep. King expressed concern about using water development monies. Mr. Harris provided a bulletin to help track changes proposed by the committee.



Ms. Corey L. Rowley, Legislative Coalition for People with Disabilities, shared her story and provided a position paper from the Coalition. This position indicated that they do not support relocating USOR under the Department of Workforce Services, and provided recommendations for cuts.



Leslie Gertsch from the blind center talked in opposition of relocating USOR under the Department of Workforce Services. She also recommended having a verbal roll call at future meetings. Others speaking against combining USOR under Department of Workforce Services included:



Dennis Platt, Utah Association for Deaf

James Moran, former olympian, Division of Rehabilitation Services

Diane Williams, Utah Independent Living Center

Eileen D. Glather, has multiple sclerosis

Harvey Hirschi

Tiby Field, blind-deaf person from New York

Kathy Evans, Self Help for Hard of Hearing in Salt Lake



Rep. Morgan provided a handout on the University of Utah Reading Clinic and asked the committee to carefully consider the impact on children if they choose to cut this program.



Rep. Buffmire took a point of personal privilege to remember Justin Dart who died last week, and mentioned the impact he had as an advocate for people with disabilities.



Rep. Morgan moved to adjourn.



Sen. Stephenson adjourned the meeting at 11:55 a.m.



Minutes reported by Patrice Shaffer, Senate Secretary.













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Sen. Howard Stephenson, Co-Chair Rep. Marda Dillree, Co-Chair