MINUTES OF THE

SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE

210 Senate Building, Utah State Capitol Complex

February 19, 2016

Members Present: Sen. Ann Millner, Chair

Sen. Jim Dabakis

Sen. Lincoln Fillmore

Sen. Mark B. Madsen

Sen. Howard A. Stephenson

Sen. Stephen H. Urquhart

Members Excused: President Wayne L. Niederhauser

Members Absent: Sen. Jerry W. Stevenson

Staff Present: Ms. Allyson Goldstein, Policy Analyst

Ms. Tonya Hadley, Committee Secretary

NOTE: A list of visitors and a copy of handouts are filed with the committee minutes.

Chair Millner called the meeting to order at 2:23 pm.

MOTION: Sen. Urquhart moved to approve the minutes of the February 17, 2016 meeting. The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Fillmore and Sen. Madsen absent.

S.B. 163 Kindergarten Age Exceptions Amendments (Sen. Stephenson)

Sen. Stephenson explained the bill to the committee.

MOTION: Sen. Stephenson moved to amend the bill, as follows:

1. Page 7, Lines 188 through 193:

188 (3) (a) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act,

189 and this Subsection (3), the State Board of Education shall make rules that :

(i) provide for a school

190 district or charter school to enroll in kindergarten a student who is younger than five years old {.} ;

(ii) except as provided in Subsection (3)(a)(iii), limit the enrollment in each school district or charter school of children under five years old to:

(A) .5% of children enrolled in kindergarten in the school district or charter school for the 2016-2017 school year; or

(B) 1% of children enrolled in kindergarten in the school district or charter school each year after the 2016-2017 school year; and

(iii) allow each school district or charter school to enroll at least one student who is younger than five years old in kindergarten.

191 (b) {A} In accordance with State Board of Education rules described in Subsection (3)(a), a local school board or charter school governing board shall enroll in kindergarten

192 a child who is younger than five years old on September 2 of the year the child seeks to enroll

193 if:

The motion passed unanimously, with Sen. Madsen absent.

Spoke for the bill: Ms. Angela Eldredge, mother

Ms. Jackie DeGaston, mother

Spoke to the bill: Dr. Sydnee Dickson, Interim Superintendent, Utah State Office of Education

Spoke in opposition of the bill:

Mr. Bryce Day, Principal, Box Elder County

Ms. Gay Beck, 2011 Utah State Teacher of the Year, Kindergarten Teacher, Highland Elementary School

MOTION: Sen. Fillmore moved to pass the bill out favorably, as amended. The motion passed with Sen. Dabakis voting in opposition.

S.B. 165 Public Education Appointment and Hiring (Sen. Stephenson)

Sen. Stephenson explained the bill to the committee.

Spoke to the bill: Dr. Sara Jones, Utah Education Association

MOTION: Sen. Fillmore moved to pass the bill out favorably. The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Dabakis absent for the vote.

H.B. 107 Early College High Schools (Rep. Peterson)

Rep. Peterson explained the bill to the committee.

Spoke for the bill: Mr. Jon Tripp, Director, Success Academy

Ms. Jackie DeGaston

MOTION: Sen. Urquhart moved to move to the next item on the agenda. The motion passed unanimously.

H.B. 182 Concurrent Enrollment Education (Rep. Peterson)

Rep. Peterson explained the bill to the committee.

MOTION: Sen. Madsen moved to pass the bill out favorably. The motion passed unanimously.

1^st Sub HB 42 Early Learning Amendments (Rep. Snow)

Rep. Snow explained the bill to the committee.

Spoke for the bill: Dr. Sydnee Dickson, Interim Superintendent, Utah State Office of Education

Spoke in opposition to the bill:

Ms. Jackie DeGaston

MOTION: Sen. Stephenson moved to pass the bill out favorably. The motion passed unanimously.

MOTION: Sen. Madsen moved to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously.

Chair Millner adjourned the meeting at 4:07 p.m.

________________________

Sen. Ann Millner, Chair