MINUTES OF THE SENATE EDUCATION
STANDING COMMITTEE
Thursday, January 31, 2002
Room 414, STATE CAPITOL BUILDING
Members Present: Sen. Bill Wright, Chair
Sen. Ron Allen
Sen. D. Chris Buttars
Sen. David L. Gladwell
Sen. Karen Hale
Sen. David H. Steele
Sen. Howard A. Stephenson
Sen. Alicia L. Suazo
Sen. Michael G. Waddoups
Sen. Carlene M. Walker
Staff Present: Constance C. Steffen, Research Analyst
Dee S Larsen, Assoc. General Counsel
Saundra Maeser, Secretary
Public Speakers Present: Darrell White, Superintendent, Davis School District
David Purinton, parent, Nebo School District
Gayle Ruzicka, taxpayer
Steven Peterson, Utah School Boards Association
Carol Lear, Attorney, State Office of Education
Visitor list on file.
Acting Chair Waddoups called the meeting to order at 3:55 p.m.
MOTION: Sen. Buttars moved to approve the minutes of January 29, 2002. The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Allen, Sen. Gladwell and Sen. Hale absent for the vote.
1. S.B. 132 Prohibition of Paid Education Association Leave (B. Wright)
Sen. Wright explained the bill addresses issues raised by a legislative audit.
MOTION: Sen. Wright moved to delete in title and body S.B. 132 and substitute it with 1st Sub. S.B. 132. The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Allen and Sen. Gladwell absent for the vote.
MOTION: Sen. Wright moved to amend the substitute bill as follows:
Page 1, Line 24: After "union" insert "or other school assignments approved in an open school board meeting"
The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Gladwell absent for the vote.
Darrell White, Superintendent, Davis School District, expressed concerns with the bill.
The following spoke in support of the bill:
Mr. David Purinton, parent, Nebo School District
Ms. Gayle Ruzicka, taxpayer
Mr. Steve Peterson, Utah School Boards Association, Utah School Superintendents Association, said they will be meeting to consider the substitute bill.
MOTION: Sen. Wright moved to amend the bill as follows:
Page 1, Line 24: After "union or" delete "school"
The motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: Sen. Buttars moved to pass the bill out favorably as amended. The motion passed with Sen. Allen and Sen. Hale voting in opposition.
Sen. Waddoups relinquished the chair to Sen. Wright.
2. H.B. 274 Supplemental Minimum School Program Act Amendments (M. Dillree)
Rep. Dillree explained the bill makes adjustments to the minimum school program.
MOTION: Sen. Stephenson moved to amend the bill as follows:
1. Page 2, Lines 33-37: Bracket and delete all of lines 33-37 and insert the following:
"(1)(a) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b), there is appropriated $9,000,000 to the State Board of Education as the state's contribution for the School LAND Trust program for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2001.
(b) If the amount of money in the Uniform School Fund described in Subsection 53A-16-101.5(2) is less than or greater than $9,000,000, the appropriation shall be equal to the amount of money in the Uniform School Fund described in Subsection 53A-16-101.5(2).
(2) The State Board of Education shall distribute the money appropriated in Subsection (1) in accordance with Section 53A-16-101.5 and rules established by the board in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act."
The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Buttars and Sen. Waddoups absent for the vote.
MOTION: Sen. Walker moved to pass the bill out favorably as amended. The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Buttars and Sen. Waddoups absent for the vote.
3. H.B. 275 State Board of Education Budget Authority (M. Dillree)
Rep. Dillree said the bill authorizes the State Board of Education to reallocate among line items reductions to their budget.
Ms. Carol Lear, State Office of Education, spoke in support of the bill.
MOTION: Sen. Walker moved to pass the bill out favorably. The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Buttars, Sen. Stephenson and Sen. Waddoups absent for the vote.
4. H.J.R. 15 Resolution Promoting Financial Literacy for Utah Students (D. Hogue)
Rep. Hogue said the resolution urges Utah public schools to assure their curriculums promote financial literacy.
MOTION: Sen. Steele moved to pass the bill out favorably. The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Buttars, Sen. Hale, Sen. Stephenson and Sen. Waddoups absent for the vote.
MOTION: Sen. Allen moved to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Buttars, Sen. Hale, Sen. Stephenson and Sen. Waddoups absent for the vote.
Chair Wright adjourned the meeting at 4:50 p.m.
Minutes were reported by Saundra Maeser, Secretary.
Sen. Bill Wright, Chair