Plymouth Community School Superintendent Andy Hartley told the school board members Tuesday night that there are several education bills school officials will be watching in this year’s General Assembly.
“There are two bills, one in the House and one in the Senate, that are identical to each other and are really focused on fully funding students who are virtual for the second part of this school year,” Hartley said. “As you recall, the State Board of Education passed an updated rule in the fall to fully fund those students. We anticipate that they will pass. I think they have emergency designation to move quickly and hopefully hit the Governor’s desk quickly as well.”
Hartley said the teacher compensation report study was released and bills may be tied to that. He indicated that possible action will be watched closely as there were recommendations for several groups.
“Certainly the legislative body and the opportunities that they have exist in there. The recommendation to look at operating referendums was in there, as well as suggestions for local school districts – they have a certain percent of their funds for teacher salaries and benefits and things like that. We fall already within those recommendations that they provide. I was pleased to see that and excited to see what else may come from the report and the study on that.
On that matter, Board Member Larry Pinkerton said he hopes something gets accomplished in this year’s legislature.
Updates will be given in upcoming board meetings.
