MINUTES OF THE SENATE EDUCATION
STANDING COMMITTEE
Wednesday, February 27, 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. Carlene M. Walker
Member Excused: Sen. Michael G. Waddoups
Staff Present: Constance C. Steffen, Research Analyst
Dee S Larsen, Associate General Counsel
Saundra Maeser, Secretary
Public Speakers Present: Gary Carlston, Dep. Superintendent, Utah State Office of Education
Elizabeth Mimms, private citizen
Michael Rivers, private citizen
Steven Peterson, Utah School Superindents Association
Visitor list on file.
Chair Wright called the meeting to order at 8:09 a.m.
MOTION: Sen. Allen moved to approve the minutes of February 25, 2002. The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Buttars and Sen. Walker absent for the vote.
1. S.B. 138S1 Charter Schools Amendments (H. Stephenson)
Mr. Gary Carlston, Deputy Superintendent, Utah State Office of Education, expressed concerns regarding the bill. Sen. Stephenson said that these concerns would be addressed with an amendment when the bill reaches the Senate floor.
MOTION: Sen. Stephenson moved to amend the bill as follows:
Page 1, Line 23: Delete "12" and insert "16"
The motion passed unanimously with Sen Buttars and Sen. Walker absent for the vote.
MOTION: Sen. Gladwell moved to pass the bill out favorably. The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Buttars and Sen. Walker absent for the vote.
2. S.B. 156 School Emergency Response Plans for Sports Injuries (J. Valentine)
Sen. Valentine explained the bill requires school districts to prepare emergency response plans for sports injuries.
MOTION: Sen. Hale moved to pass the bill out favorably. The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Buttars and Sen. Walker absent for the vote.
3. H.B. 207 Licenses for Educators (S. Allen)
Sen. Steele introduced the bill in place of Rep. Sheryl Allen. Mr. Ron Stanfield, Utah State Office of Education, explained the bill allows a person who is not teaching to maintain a license.
MOTION: Sen. Steele moved to pass the bill out favorably. The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Buttars and Sen. Walker absent for the vote.
MOTION: Sen. Steele moved to place the bill on the consent calendar. The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Buttars and Sen. Walker absent for the vote.
4. H.B. 79S1 School Display of Motto of the United States (R. Siddoway)
Rep. Siddoway said the bill requires schools to display the motto of the United States.
The following spoke in opposition to the bill:
Ms. Elizabeth Mimms, private citizen
Mr. Michael Rivers, private citizen
MOTION: Sen. Gladwell moved to pass the bill out favorably. The motion passed with Sen. Allen and Sen. Suazo voting in opposition and Sen. Buttars and Sen. Hale absent for the vote.
5. H.B. 76 Process for Creation of New School Districts (D. Cox)
Rep. Cox explained the bill creates a process for the creation of new school districts and distributed a handout outlining the process.
MOTION: Sen. Stephenson moved to pass the bill out favorably. The motion failed with Sen. Allen, Sen. Hale, Sen. Steele, and Sen. Suazo voting in opposition and Sen. Gladwell absent for the vote.
Mr. Steven Peterson, Utah School Superintendents Association, spoke in support of the bill and answered questions.
MOTION: Sen. Steele moved to reconsider action on the bill. The motion passed with Sen. Allen and Sen. Suazo voting in opposition and Sen. Gladwell absent for the vote.
MOTION: Sen. Steele moved to pass the bill out favorably. The motion passed with Sen. Allen and Sen. Suazo voting in opposition and Sen. Gladwell absent for the vote.
MOTION: Sen. Suazo moved to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Gladwell absent for the vote.
Chair Wright adjourned the meeting at 8:55 a.m.
Minutes were reported by Saundra Maeser, Secretary.
Sen. Bill Wright, Chair