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Minutes for SB428 - Committee on Education
Short Title
Requiring that each attendance center needs assessment be conducted by the local board of education and include input from board members, teachers, school site councils and school administrators and that board members receive certain state assessment data and identifying allocations of money in the school district budget and budget summary.
Minutes Content for Wed, Mar 13, 2024
Vice Chair Erickson opened the hearing on SB428 by asking Revisor Lawrence to give an overview of the bill. (Attachment 14)
Proponent:
Dave Trabert, CEO, Kansas Policy Institute (KPI), said KPI compiled evidence that most school districts have not complied with the statute requirements over the last three years. A 2021 investigation of 25 districts found no evidence that the school needs assessment process took place, and some officials didn't seem aware of the legal requirement.The Kansas Association of School Boards told the Senate Education Committee that districts complied with the law, but no records existed because education officials didn't believe the law required them to document their work. The Legislature didn't by that excuse. It amended the law in 2022 requiring school boards to answer three specific questions for each school, incorporate the information in their summer budget process, and publish the results on district websites. Subsequent examinations of 27 districts found none complied with the law in 2022. KPI sent Open Records requests to the 25 districts asking for documentation that school board members were allowed to conduct the assesments, not just review staff prepared reports. The results are in the testimony. There are several enhancements listed along with recommendations. (Attachment 15)
Amy Cawvey, Member, Lansing USD469 School Board of Education, said the building needs assessment or BNA, is one of the most important duties a school board member has, yet it is also one of the least known and zero training is offered. As a sitting school board member, we were handed our BNA with our budget in August of 2022. The members have encountered many obstacles in their endeavor to complete what was mandated in law from being told it's already been done to resistance from the school district. As a board member, the first goal should be to increase student achievement and to be good stewards of our constituent's tax dollars. A needs assessment would help allocate money towards student achievement as opposed to other areas like perhaps a new batting cage for sports. (Attachment 16)
Carla Wiegers, former School Board Member, Lansing USD 469, is in support of ensuring that the attendance center needs assessments be conducted by the school board on behalf of all stakeholders. Local control is important and KSDE has provided a detailed plan for a tracking document which provides a solid process as well as a product to capture data and track educational progress from year to year and convey transparency to community stakeholders. It is integral that the seven board members understand the importance of the needs assessment process. Once this tracking document s established by directors and building administrators and the assessment is conducted and collaboration takes place between superintendent and the school board, future years will be more efficient in adding input and conducting the BNA. (Attachment 17)
Vanessa Reid, Leavenworth USD 453 School Board Member, said state law says school board members are supposed to conduct the building needs assessment meeting but that is not how it is done at USD 253. About half of the students are below grade level in reading and math. Everyone needs to work together to help students do better. It is also very important to get accurate student achievement reports. District staff tells parents and board members that our district has excellent outcomes but the numbers are not shown. This bill is important legislation to help board members effectively represent the people and improve student achievement. (Attachment 18)
Robert Merritt, Goddard USD265 SchoolBoard Member, stated that Board members should be involved early and often and hear directly from teachers about barriers kids face so they can make informed decisions on budget changes. The state assessment never guided what decisions we made on curriculum. The state assessments and ACT are being pitted against one another and they show two entirely different scenarios. (Attachment 19)
Proponent written only was submitted by:
Ward Cassidy, Executive Director, Kansas School Board Resource Center (Attachment 20)
Dr. Janet Neufeld, Graduate School Professor, Kansas Administrator, Retired (Attachment 21)
Opponent:
Leah Fliter, Assistant Executive Director of Advocacy, Kansas Association of School Boards, spoke in regards to constitutional responsibilities (Attachment 22)
Opponent written only was submitted by:
Jerry Henn, Assistant Executive Director, USA-Kansas and Kansas Superintendents Association (Attachment 23)
Vice Chair Erickson closed the hearing on SB428.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:53 PM.
The next meeting will be held March 14, 2024 at 1:30 PM in Room 144-S.
