Education Committee- House

On this bill I really appreciate of the waves really studied the bills what your committee and thank you for some great bills that you've allowed for me to get out this morning we have a very simple bill in for the members are present and fight represent Johnson will know well what this board is that we're talking about we have an Arkansas rule physicians of scholarship that we allow physicians that will go out to rule Arkansas scholarship to get funds to help pay off their school but they have remaining of the medical medical funds medical school cost so this board or making some eye and this bill making minor adjustments to this board the purpose of this bills update the rule practice scholarship medical board membership and talk contract provisions contract provisions in this the bill increases statewide representation for rural and under represented communities across the state the amendment provides Senate confirmation for governing board appointments provides representation from rural areas of our state as board representation for members serving under represented communities and delta populations removes a death provision from the real practice scholarship program that was removed from the Committee match program in twenty seventeen there's some recommendations that came from the AG's office for this board and I will take any questions that you guys might have. This is bill nineteen thirty one. Persons got for you're recognized for a question thank you Mr chair thank you represent Bentley and I'm gonna take your compliment as applicable to me as well yes. I did notice and you'd mentioned that the Senate confirmation of the sport I'm just wondering how common that is to have Senate confirmation of a governor appointed board is that typical or is that something that's new and in this is this of the of changing the sport it is typical but is recommended from the AG's office for this board for some yeah we really want to make more diverse the board more diverse to bring in some folks from the delta in different regions of the states was more comprehensive of members across the whole state thank you. For any other questions from members. Seeing none there's no one signed up to speak for against the bill but I will check with the audience anyone years before. Against. Seeing none president Valli recognized close your bill I'm close for the billing is representative got for those comments refer you as well thank you all very much and I appreciate a do pass representative Becky recognized. That's proper motion with a motion to pass representive Baqi discussion on the motion. C. number vote on the motion of those of favour say aye opposed nay regulation you pastor bill thank you chairman committee appreciate have a great day. He. Next I want to move to go back up to the top the representative Vaught you're gonna run Senate bill for fifty resented Vaught has three Bills on today's schedule so we'll probably just let her stay there and run all three of those. Unless you need to break. Thank you Mr chair can I have a guest at the end of the table please you're recognized for guest if you would identify yourself for the record please. Good morning chairman of the committee my name is Brad nine the legislative director for the attorney general's office thank you representative Vaught you're recognized see thank you Mr chair you'll all remember at the beginning of session the Attorney General had a bill that she wanted to be presented at this bill will give the Attorney General the right to be able to investigate when a school doesn't follow the triple a rules and and basically that's what it does we've already passed a bill kind of similar to this but this would give her the ability to be able to go or he the next may be a man so then the ability to go investigate and with that if you have questions I'm going to turn it over to the attorney general's office for the questions or he can make a statement and. Recognized I think Mister chair I'll just step as representative Vaught said we the companion bill to this bill was was discussed previously a pretty thoroughly so I would just turn it over to the questions you might have. The mayor any questions for the members representative got for you're recognized thank you Mr chair and you know I continue to be opposed for the same reasons I was the first time which is that I'm not sure we need to a broad sweeping discriminatory born when there's no evidence in Arkansas that that unfairness is a problem and continue to think there can be a mechanism in place to challenge instances of unfairness so I I continue to be opposed but I understand the reason the Attorney General is wanting to push this through I guess I'm wondering you know since the last time we met and heard the previous bill the NC double a has come out with a statement saying they will not you know host events in states that have discriminatory legislation like this I'm wondering that the Attorney General consider the impact of this bill not only on the student athletes that it affects but also the negative impact on the state because of the incident lays. That statement it is not allowing events to be held in states like Arkansas the happy end like this. Sure and and thank you for the question represented got free of. It we are cognizant of the NCAA's concerns and when we are we we have listened to those concerns it in working with the department of that department of higher ed we actually before we bought the brought the bill to the Senate we did work on an amendment to make it need to be a knowing violation of this chapter five four. You know for these remedies to kick into place and so we feel that I having the teeth there is important to make sure that parties will come to the table and meet with the Attorney General if these issues arise but we are hopeful that. I we won't get to a point where we actually get involved in litigation and and we feel that the the will of this body the will of the people of Arkansas our Kansans values is more important than what a out of state entity might try to push down on this and so we feel that after speaking with with many Arkansans that this is something that that they wanted something that we feel very strongly about. Your questions from members. Seeing none will go to the audience we have one person signed up to speak against the bill Ryan foster. What infy yourself for the record in your welcome to the giver testimony. Good morning committee my name is Ryan foster the service coalition we are located here in Arkansas we tracked extremism within the state. We are opposed to this bill today for just a simple reason this is an anti transgender legislator. Legislation apologies and unfortunately this legislation will have immediate ramifications and effects the attorney general's representative speaks of teeth well. Why do we need to use to essentially police are kids on how they want to identify while they played recreational sports in fact since the beginning of these bills are being passed against trans kids here in Arkansas today the report was for attempted suicides children. Now surely this committee does not want dead kids from the result of what they're writing. Sure well our Kansans were proud southerners children are everything to us that's why we sit in this room we debate on laws and we decide what is good and what is bad this law is fairly unacceptable and to give the state the power to start investigating children. For playing sports. Because they don't have an identity that makes people comfortable. It is morally repugnant. It's unchristian it's uncivilized and it's unconstitutional. Please do not pass this bill and please repeal all the anti trans bills because you're not just threatening our children's lives you're not just threatening our futures you are threatening this and tires state ability to be peaceful. Thank you and have a wonderful evening. Any questions for this testimony. Seeing none is there anyone here to speak for the bill. Against the bill. Signin representative Vaught you are welcome closing your bill because for my bill I make a motion to pass a motor that is proper motion. Seventy discussion on the motion. No discussion will vote on the motion all those in favor of the motion say aye opposed nay. Motion passes resolution pastor bill. Representative Vaught you also have Senate bill five sixty four by Senator Elliot would you like to quit present that where there yes please thank you so this is a tutoring bill this is an amazing bill because we have a lot of kids that's falling behind due to covid and this right here will help us. Bring in some COVID relief for children and start a tutoring program in which our schools for our most vulnerable kids that are are losing track of their of school their lessons and stuff so this will help those kids According to research one of the most effective interventions to address learning loss especially in elementary school it's one to one or small group tutoring I mean that's what this bill will do with that I'll take any questions that that really is what the bill does. Any questions from members representative make sure recognized. Thank you representative is there any cost impact on this to the schools or to the this to the. Department add on implementing this thing up can I have missed IT come to the table. Yes you're recognized. Yes. Yes I have a separate department of education and so that part of the bill references and the ability to use and Esther finds that federal funds for that emergency and secondary education relief and so that is definitely something that those funds could go toward either at from the school level or from state set aside funding. Follow recognized and then I would school districts be required to participate in this or is this a permissive. It is permissiveness of awesome thank you thank you Sir representative fight you're recognized. Thank you Mr chair Are these COVID funds that would be sunset at a certain time. Yes that and this the bands would expire either in twenty twenty three or twenty twenty four so I think the intent is to build a quarter of teachers so to kind of create that pipeline of tutors who go through training on initiatives that are aligned with and already and programs that are in place provide that and the people that could go into schools and or work with after school programs summer programs and really help children in excel or eight and or mitigate any loss learning. Thank you. President McKenzie. Thank you Mr chair have a couple of questions Sammy I can get in before I get back in the queue first why January twenty two or is it just because I know we've got to learn once now is that just because of the timing it takes to get this program on the ground. Because of trying to do the rules and rags and you did all promulgated that's why we had to pick that date okay and follow. if you could give me some more understanding on this answer funding so are are these funds that that are over dinner directed to the state to use as they see fit are we talking about funds that are directed to each individual school district. And we're looking at trying to have them use those funds for this program. I think it would be a little bit of both and ninety five percent of the funds that and we're provided to the state under answer to have been and allocated for school district use this state set aside portion can also be used to support initiatives like this we're still waiting on guidance from the next round of federal funding and for more finite details part of that committee though I think it's twenty percent of the school district funds have to be spent on learning laws which would include after school summer school or extended day learning programs and a portion of this state and set aside would also have to be spent on learning law so that and at a program like this that we would build up that core of qualified people then and who could work with schools that definitely is something that would align with those intent of those funds. Back in to get back in the queue please group thank you represent got free. Thank you Mr chairman represent by it and I center Elliott thank you for the spelling because once our big supporter and believe a lot and then the power of tutoring at Dr pepper maybe you can answer this question about that the qualified sites the tutoring sites and it mentions the loss of the please I'm sorry about it a committee hearing of a community facility that meets the requirements established by the division and I'm just wondering if you could tell me a little bit about what a community site isn't what your requirements are and for allowing a site like this to be a two three five. So I think all of that is will be fleshed out in the rules and rags so and there are possibilities for it to be and it could be at a public school or it could be and aside like and a partnership between the public school and another entity a community entity could be there eight and we have a lot of programs like boys and girls clubs now we have and they based organizations that provide after school programs so I would envision that and this could that the qualified sites and enroll in rags process could could include a number of things follow up with those all the non profits or would it be proper possible to have that a for profit entity be a community site. I don't know that I have an answer for that today and I do know that and our education renewals and stare and we've been talking to them about creating that partnership to help with the qualified tutors so one of our goals would be to tap into students here in an educator preparation program and get them and and trying to seize qualified tutors to really help out into so also while we're extending at the pipeline of potential future teachers were extending that pop one of those teachers and giving them some one on one teaching experience thank you thank you Mr. Representative Deffenbaugh. Thank you Mr chair I'm I'm not against this bill the. You know one thing Smith and I had just talked to superintendent just the other day and he was talking about tutoring programs after school they would pay they pay teachers and anyway it was dyslexia and he was they pay teachers and the students wouldn't show up so yes so from that my question is have have you guys had a hate gun enforce this or. and make him show up or it's not that far on this. Set this bill is is really more about creating that and the group of people who could be a very well trained in in a variety of areas so that you know tutors who really could help address students with dyslexia have the specialized knowledge of what they need to do I understand the science of reading so I think if you if you begin there with that foundation and you and you have and the people who can really go in and help with the quality of programs then you're more likely to get that parent buying in and and so that this would be multi faceted that this piece here is specifically helping to create that group of people then that can partner with the schools with community organizations with parents so I think it'll take a take a multi pronged approach to it to get parents to really understand the importance of and these additional supports for their children. Okay thank you. I represented cans your back up. Thank you Mr chair so with regard to the qualified tutor I noticed that we had a pretty good it description of our qualified facilities for I forget was called the for the qualified tutor it we didn't get much I know it says the department's going to I guess that come up with those qualifications I'm trying to get my head around as far as. Why would we not used teachers or we existing teachers are we looking at using teachers and what exactly are we in envisioning for qualified tutor. I mean they can there's nothing in the bill that keeps that from happening. Keep some from use and qualified teachers. But we may not be using and I mean is we maybe it in addition the teachers I guess you're saying we may be using others and and other folks as well otherwise it to put teachers in here right yes and and so there are and it and and this is in a department bill we worked with and those the sponsor to you know to help with and you know to review the bill and to talk about how it could be implemented so that what I would say is that and a further description of qualified tutor could be in the rules and rags but to speak to may be and with why it why isn't it just teachers doing this because you know with tutoring can take place in a in a multitude of ways and and sometimes you know teachers are teaching all day and they're focusing on their work and in their content having those additional people who can step in and really focus in on on maybe some specific elements for specific students and some of the tutoring could be done virtually and it saves so there's just a lot of different options but the importance here is that the teachers are going to get training in specific and areas like and the Department has map quest right now as an map an initiative so those teachers would come in and know and understand how students are being taught and same thing with dyslexia being able to come in and understand if a student does have dyslexia you're going to you're gonna work with them a little bit differently then you are a student who maybe it's just not being engaged that you know doesn't have have anything that is impeding the learning so. Yes thank you and thank you for the answer and I think maybe one last question here in the maybe the rest of my can ask offline Still trying to get where I am on their on on this bill with regard to I know that you said that it was permissive and it looks like it is but some some. Subsection of this like maybe it was not so I'm just trying to understand is this completely permissive as far as a school can either opt in or opt out or perhaps can a school decide we're going to utilize some of our funding for this program but we also want to do our own. Homegrown program as well so that's why I'm trying to understand how what what the one of the. Guidelines on this program how to get in and out of how much so I do not believe it's obligating a school district to do anything I think that the legislation is and permissive that the department may develop a program to build up the and tutoring core sedative to develop that strong pipeline of tutors and a district would not be required to participate with this what a district would be required to do as part of their next round of federal funding would be to address learning law so they could use to address that in a different way if they did not want to partner with and that the tutoring core program. The representative fight. Thank you Mr chair if I am I understanding this correctly this would not be. implemented until January of twenty two. That's been the rules I that's when the rules have to be promulgated by okay I'm not quite understanding that because the need to me seems it would be this fall especially and if it's not even going to be happening into January I'm not sure why we are doing this so can you help me with that I don't think it would take that long to promulgate the rules so once the rules promulgated it was so it's I think that it unless I'm I may be missing something earlier in the bill that that the deadline for promulgating rules with the that time we are already working with education renewal signs in terms that the and and planning a and and working on the training that would and be made available for tutors so that the program could get started earlier and and we would be working on and you know rules and rags with specifics but already getting started on everything and there's nothing that would preclude a school district already from starting programs this is just going to be and at a supplemental piece that is built that and also addressing and the learning over time back and recently in the paper North Little Rock talked about their summer and tutoring program that they're going to be doing so nothing is stopping districts from starting earlier. All right and the follow up to that you did say this is not a department bill so what is the genesis of this bill what what our students are falling behind because of the lack of tutoring so or the lack of being in a classroom so this is to help enhance that help these gets kids get caught back up in their school work or for it there are because they're losing five to nine months that's what the research shows I understand that this is just to help with that aspect I understand that I mean it was is brought by an organization or what's the what's the beginning of this bill. And I believe for what Arkansas was part of the group that worked on that I don't know if there's someone here from Ford that could speak to it. Okay. Okay I'll move in light representative Irvin speak to that. I can just you know how hi Senator Missy Irvin District eighteen chair Senate Education Committee I can just tell you the testimony that was given and I are committee and kind of the work that we all did together on this bill was with Ford Arkansas but also just really out of the idea that we were going to be gaining a lot of federal funding and wanting to be able to put that to good use and so there was a lot of conversations around how can we organize that and the tutoring is definitely going to be something that's really going to be important to catch people back up I hear your concerns and I really do appreciate that I think the quicker we can get these rules promulgated the better so that we can really get this thing in place because it's really going to be needed particularly after you get the testimony of all the kids that have been missing from school and I think that's the biggest driver behind this is that we kept hearing you know we've lost kids we can't find these kids or they're not enrolled where are they so I think that really was more of the driving discussion with a lot of us in the Senate at Committee so this is this is really a joint effort by a lot of us. Can you tell me what organization specifically R. J. I think honestly I mean I think Ford Arkansas helped with this but I really felt like it was more driven by us as the legislators okay get to the honest with you I mean yes it was just all of us in the Senate at committee really talking about it. Thank you senator Evan see no other questions you have a question one more court recognized. Thank you Mr chair so back to the funding again since what's more than permission I've heard here I just want to be clear because I think she answered it would be a combination perhaps of some local district funding of the S. Sir and some of the state pot of the Assur so if the school district chooses to do their own fridges AC K. we want to get going on this we've got learn lost ranking on that this summer and we have our own programs already we're beginning to initiate if they opt they choose not to take advantage of this program is any of their funding going to be still designated for this program. So it so it with the as far as it's far as this program this is building up that the tutors building at the people who can go into the programs that is specifically related to the S. so they're at their local funds can and pay for anything that they're doing and if if they're hiring their own tutors if they have a certain type of and learning platform that they're wanting to use as part of their tutoring they can do that that way and with this bill and part of the program that the department can use all part of it set aside pending to help build this that whether it's paying for training for the teachers paying and stipends for those who are and part of the tutoring program you know I don't think the program has been fully developed to the point where there's an. You know as specific. Place for that the tutors going into the and schools so you've got you've got really two parts you've got the tutoring core which this bill addresses then you had to during programs which are also things that and can be forth coming. But the bill really specifically addresses the tutoring core. Recognized for a follow up thank you. So I'm I'm perhaps I wasn't clear I'm sure I was not I'm just asking because if I do I understand correctly the school district for C. semester funding that they can use and then the state does I'm just asking. With this program if the schools choose to use their funding as you mention for the different things have been role to procreate do they still want any of their local funding. Also go to this program here if it's enacted if they choose not to participate or make use of these tutors does that make sense I think so yes and and it would not obligate them no. The representative speaks. Thank you Mr chair the schools all over saying this will going on. Okay thank you thanks. Your questions from committee. Seeing none. no one signed up to speak for against or check with the audience anyone here to speak for the bill. Against the bill saying none represent about running clothes for your bill I think we can all agree that we need good tutors to during our children to help them get caught up from COVID where they've not been in a classroom or not had the advantages of of having that one on one with someone when they need it and that's what this bill will do it will help us get qualified tutors. Helping our children and it's permissive a school does not have to do it but it is going to help us with our tutoring situation in our state with that I would appreciate a good vote and I move to pass. Representative voted close a close for the bill as proper motion a motion to pass all those in favor say aye. Those nay. Legislation bills passed. Representive alter your senate Irving at around six twenty nine. Senator when you're recognized. And members thank you for passing our first bill out of the committee I'm sorry I wasn't here I was in transportation I read in the bill with representative McCullough. I'm Senator Missy Irvin and here to have president Senate bill six twenty nine with representative speaks who is my house sponsor on this what this bill does is it allows for those schools who have declining enrollment funds also be able to receive isolated fund. So and before before in the past they've only been allowed to have one or the other but because of the way things have hit and we because of COVID in the loss and declining enrollments these very isolated rule schools really need the ability to pull down both of those of funding mechanisms and so that's what the bill does And it changes the words or to and and that allows it's a big big deal though for a lot of our very rules schools and schools that are isolated the Department at is here and can speak to the funding of mechanism of it there is a fiscal impact to it it's a little less than two million dollars and that is no new state general revenue though it will be absorbed within the Department of Education so I'm here to answer any questions. Resent Lowery you're recognized for a question. Thank you Mr. real concern about all these different pots of money that really of created almost a phenomenon that we are funding phantom students you know you have it in school choice for instance of home district has a net loss of students than they get funding for declining enrollment plus they still get funded for the student even though the student is in another district and then the district it's receiving them receives foundation funding plus they receive gross enrolment and now we're adding another pot and and I characterize this one time is is funding some of the students at a two point five percent ratio and and I was told I was correct. How special I mean it says special needs isolated is that. Isolated funding is it just isolated funding or we calling it something different with this special needs section in there. These are not new pots of money they're existing no I understand okay what these are existing and the wait and I can let the Department of Education describe the the funding mechanisms but I can just tell you I represent an area that's very different looking probably than your area that you represent I represent an area of the north central part of the State of Arkansas that goes from el Paso Arkansas el Paso road all the way to the state of Missouri. One of my schools Mountain Home school district. They actually have to go outside of the State of Arkansas through the state of Missouri back into the state of Arkansas to pick up their kids on the school bus route. You have viola you have Salem you have Norfork you have St Joe's you have Marshall Leslie you have Quitman you have Pangburn you have these are the schools that are in my district Concord these schools rule special Tembo surely. These are schools that are very very very important to those communities very very important to those rules economic and factors that provide opportunities for those kids to get a quality education. I am a huge supporter of school choice I'm a huge supporter of public school education to I'm a huge supporter of rule education I'm a huge supporter of small schools small rules schools because they give you a phenomenal education and I think we need to do everything in our power to keep them alive. I want to keep those schools alive in my district they matter greatly to my area they matter greatly to those economies in Mountain View in Greenbrier in Quitman in Salem and violate in Norfork in Marshall in Leslie in state so in Concord and all across my district sometimes you have to take a vote just to get to some of my voters and I'm not making that up all right of course it's a very rule district and I know I'm not the only one that's of that represents a very rule district in the state of Arkansas but these schools have special needs because they're isolated it's not special needs based on their students it's based on their location if you've ever been to rule special which is in fox Arkansas up up the mountain. You would understand greatly why their needs are incredibly different sometimes are school buses have to drive miles and miles and miles on dirt roads. And it's dangerous even if it's just raining on those dirt roads and so they have to pick up kids all over the place and because of that the transportation costs are higher but they also have so many other issues they're trying desperately during COVID to get wifi out to their students that live in these very rural areas that don't have the ability to have access to wifi and so they're doing everything possible that they can to stay alive and to stay afloat and I'll tell you the success stories that come out of these very small schools are tremendous my dad you know graduated from a Batesville high school back in the day when he was in the class of you know ten people I think. But they all came out you know half the kids came out of their doctors and lawyers and and so you know I am he doing this because I care deeply about those rules schools and those isolated schools and so and and that's what the bill does is it helps them stay alive and keep the float. Represent like you're recognized for follow thank you senator the it your your passion for rural schools is evident your testimony but the intensity also seems to imply that my question says that I don't care about those rules schools that's not the point the point of the question is. This stacking on top of one one fund on top of another on top of another instead of really you know I've been advocating a change in the way we fund transportation for at least eight years that it would be based on miles driven students transported which would greatly benefit your school your school district and instead we start we we do these bills that kind of are a patchwork of taking money from this pool in this pool in this pool so help me understand. This says city for this bill is that school districts did they have to choose between either receiving declining enrollment money or isolated funding money yes all of the Department answer that thank you for. I think that to your point there is a need for the bill I think what you're describing is really. The funding process which is a whole nother bill or issue that would be dealt with during adequacy me if you're looking at the totality of the funding so. I'll let I'll let the department come up and answer the specifics about your question of the different pots of funding and the history behind this because they did have to choose between one or the other I think that was set up in twenty thirteen. Jon Kate part of education. Just for the history of isolated funding it's been around since nineteen eighty three and maybe even before that in some form or fashion if you'll remember nineteen eighty three was one of the first I think it was out of the pre one of the first school funding cases in the state and in the aftermath of that the General Assembly determine that yes it was indeed a need for a special funding extra funding if you will to go to isolated districts isolate districts are a designated that way because they meet certain criteria with respect to the the size of of the district the density population density of students there the distance that must be travel is so there I think Senator is correct the the General Assembly as a nearly forty year policy now to to provide extra funding so it is stacking original Lowery it's stacking funding and that was retained after Lake View because in the Lake View study process it was determined that those characteristics of those this the characteristics of those isolated districts we're not going to change and the way we were changing the school funding to be more frowned foundation funding on a per pupil basis still could not meet and overcome the unique challenges of those districts so that's a little bit about the the the funding and there is a limited number of think it's twenty eight districts now there there were more at one time but as a result of consolidations then yeah we were down to under thirty districts actually receive any type of isolated funding. So I mean I this kind of a brief history it's it's much more complicated than that if you look at the formulas representive but if you want to asking specific questions I'll be glad to take a shot at. President makes you're recognized for a question. Thank you Mr chairman and secretary my quote on the the fund itself Senator said that you could absorb this within the budget can you tell us how much is currently in that fund and how this would affect the money that's in that fund or the ability to fund and that fund. I will tell you that of The issue of because this is then with with isolated which is pretty much a set pot. What's the number Greg. Seven million okay that that part gets distributed in various ways with within these limited number district but it's the declining enrollment that's the that's the pot of money that is there's not a set number because from year to year you can't predict what the decline in Roman is going to be that's why these districts brought this bill this year is because I've been this had a specially hard and it. Back after lake view I think there was a a trade off that was made then that said you can only get one you know the specially to isolated funding or the declining enrollment but that was at a time where I think enrollment was much more stable they would get the highest amount either either or well now you know with what we're dealing with the the. The declining enrollment is hitting them a bit harder and and even with taking the greater of it would be insufficient but we make those adjustments through the year so what happens is we we give a we model what we think the declining enrollments going to be a way back in the fall when we must provide the governor information for the balanced budget but then we have to settle up after we get the real numbers and that usually happens when we come to peer and get that adjustment appropriations so that's kinda how that process works to be difficult this point to give you the real numbers because we won't get that until we get the third quarter average daily membership. Third quarter average average daily membership is the trigger account for all of all of the funding that we have so it'll be something that will get in later on this this year Vaught. What or that I know the the funding to here says under two million dollars going forward three four five years from now we still have to be in that range or could we be looking at budgetary impacts five six seven million is eventually start to get into real money you know we we don't think so we we went and looked at the five year history and because we're dealing with such a limited number and of districts we can absorb that million dollars Without asking you know for for any we have to come in ask anyway it depending on what the actual numbers are this will not make that big of an impact thank you things to representative Bragg you're recognized for a question. Thank you Mr this one clarify something I know this was presented in the context of rural schools about changing it and it seems to me like any school is would would receive this this special needs funding Rick Carter so whether it was rolled or not isn't so they have to start out as qualifying as an isolated district isolated school okay that's so so that's the limiter and limiting factor okay thank you. I see no other questions we do have a couple people signed up to speak for the bill recognized Dale query. Related to speak for the bill. Do a query Director Arkansas rural Education Association thank you Mr thank you senator Ervin for bringing this bill as has been stated this bill affects twenty eight school districts it allows them to qualify for declining enrollment just like every other school district in the state besides he's twenty eight so it puts them on a level playing field with every other school in the state some great questions here back in adequacy I remembered the presentations from the the research company who stated that schools under five hundred were having extreme financial difficulties and of course that includes all of these isolated school districts representative back did a presentation that adequacy on various components of school of funding especially for smaller schools that are hit by the funding formula and so on so forth so all this does is put those twenty eight school districts on equal footing with every other school district in the state. See no questions thank you for your testimony thank you anyone in the audience to speak against the bill. We also have signed up to speak for the bill Allen your roles from the Searcy County school district speak for the bill. Allen Yarbrough superintend search county school district in Marshall thank you Mr chairman and this committee for giving me the opportunity to come and speak favor this bill and thank you sister sent center for bringing this to the attention of sister in charge so. Yeah I have to understand they call me sister in Thurston county and I love it so much but yeah I'm sister especially the veteran Paul so with that being said let me give you let me give you just a who we are and Searcy County not my school district is five hundred fifty square miles we cover most of Searcy County and we go into Van Buren County we have almost we run almost a thousand miles a day with our fourteen bus routes so a lot of what we do is transportation and and when you talk about the isolated money that's where a large portion of our money is spent is to transport our students to and from school you know the the problem that I face and and and many other districts that are isolated as myself is I've lost sixty students this year in our enrollment in that is a huge impact financially on our districts and so I have I have no you know I have no way to overcome that amount of loss other than to come here today and ask you to please consider this bill because that does is Mister Corey says puts us on the same playing field with all the other schools in the state that will receive money from the state in declining enrollment so I would certainly certainly ask that you you would support this bill. The questions for the witness. C. nine thank you for your testimony thank you. No one else signed up to speak for against. Senator Rapert you're recognized close your bill thank you members of the committee I appreciate the testimony and I do have a great passion for my district and the people that I represent and I just you know I love the questions I do appreciate the questions that I do think it's a very you know funding as is that a difficult subject and we we struggle with that but you know kind of got dumped of our laps because of the Lake View issue and we we tried to do with the very best we can I just know that how much they have done but how much they do for their communities and for those families and for those kids And so with that I would just ask for a good vote. Senator is close for her bill. Vaught. I have a motion to pass from representative Vaught in discussion on the motion. Representative back. I thank you Mr out I truly want to vote for this bill but I've I guess I'm missing the part that says that you have to be an isolated school to get this it. I mean it's not I don't see it anywhere. It basically says if you have declining enrollment. Then you are maybe it's in that part too in this one bill this isn't it's isolated but I don't see the separation I thought it's almost like you go the other way with this thing. I support the bill and then ten the bill I really do but it doesn't seem like it's isolated that's. Since the it seems like any school could go get both of these funds it is passed. Representative Smith. I'll. I'll go with the secretary cases back to say no it can't happen so I'll go with that. President Smith you're recognized scholars fall thank you senator over for bringing this bill forward and I like this bill because it is levels the playing field for all schools and. You know some of the schools in these rural areas will have up to don't have one and a quarter students per square mile and it's just a different situation that will then then what a lot of us are used to this is not a new definition of a declining enrollment and it really doesn't have a physical impact so I think this is a great bill I'm in support of it. Representative Vaught. I think I have an answer for representative back if you go to the end it says special needs isolated funding under six dash twenty dash six oh four and that's where it's the isolated school districts. Represent Lowery thank you and I. Apologize I didn't. Asco secretary Q. this question when he was at the end of the table you but it's it's Byrd in meeting of memory when the numbers of the the Searcy County district for instance five hundred fifty square miles in this that this whole discussion is about rural versus maybe urban I had my first job out of college was working for the Pulaski County school district. And because it is a doughnut District surrounding little rock and north little rock. The square mileage of the district was seven hundred and sixty square miles it wasn't all just urban travel it was also going up on the wind mountain they're going up to base base will pike and so I so I guess I should have asked the question with that in that case because of those extreme amount of miles we're. You're having to drive into rural areas in and out urban rural if if that applies also to a district like the Pulaski County school district that if they've had declining enrollment but they also were. Have some sections of their district that are isolated that they would be able to apply for that stacking and so I guess that I have this kind of the same concern that representative back seem to to raise that it seems like you know we may be looking at. A two million dollar figure now. But what if school districts start being able to recognize that wait a minute you know there are other ways to define what isolated funding is a I mean if it is a fixed definition then we're fine but these things have a way of being incriminatory. And. We don't have sometimes the same institutional memory from did from session to session and we forget what we allowed in a previous session and it just becomes a snowball that gathers steam and just keeps keeps getting bigger and bigger. Represent about you're recognized. Thank you Mr chair again six dash twenty dash six oh four gives the specifics. That's the guidelines that the specifics of who can qualify for these findings and who can't qualify for these findings I mean that's I'm just telling you what they're telling me. I see no other discussion on the motion but I can't answer those questions because we're past the point so use I mean if you've had those questions during that time of Christian unions or thank you can answer that question at the chair will allow your lead dancer can I ask the department of education to answer the question or do you want me to answer it. I would prefer you to answer the question okay and I know that we're past that time however and as it stated the reference in the bill goes to those qualifications and eligibility for isolated schools so in order to qualify for isolated funding you have to meet the criteria of eligibility As referenced in the bill under that statute so I hear your concerns however those concerns are not valid because it's already in the bill clearly stated in the statute in the references to the coat. Thank you for that explanation thank you we have a motion do pass by representative ought to vote on that motion all those in favor say aye. Opposed nay. Of the ayes have a graduation pastor bill thank you Mr chair members of the committee. Members will go back up to the top now we're house bill seventeen sixty one by representative Lowery there is an amendment on the bill. I believe my show is going to pass those amendments around. Members will give you a moment to look over The Amendment. President of Lowery you're recognized to present your amendment to bill seventeen sixty one that thank you members I've tried to make this as easy as possible basically the amendment is now the bill this came about through extensive conversations with the representative McKenzie and also represented Murdock and I'll and I'll talk about it do. The process that we went through if you will allow me to go ahead and adopt the amendment. I need a motion to adopt the amendment motion by representative Murdock. Well no I'm not making a motion and I'll discuss the discussion on the motion okay I have a motion by representative back to adopt a motion the discussion on the amendment representative Murdock well the committee will be the bill now so as you would say you just want we just moved to adopt the. We have to adopt the amendment virgin okay. Yes any discussion on the motion to adopt the amendment. C. nine will vote all those in favor say aye opposed nay member has been adopted you're recognized present your bill okay. The members at I appreciate the opportunity to bring this back to you if you remember when I presented this last week representative McKenzie raise the issue that possibly by peering down some of the elements of this bill it might be something that that we could bring back and so I I pulled it down talked with her talk with represent Murdock Others were involved in this and and I'll just say you know. Compromise usually means and this is exactly what this is is compromised become provides technically means that both sides lose something. I lost three pages of the bill okay it went from four pages to one page I adopted probably safely ninety five I'd safe to say ninety five percent of what was recommended to me by a representative Murdock and I know he's pouring over quickly especially issues where he had asked me to switch shall as to Mays in in some cases I did switch to may but there were some elements that really really needed shall so let me let me just talk about the Bill what we've done what I've done is I've taken out all of the Legislative findings section rich really was just the presentation of why I feel like you know we need to make this kind of statement it included the quotes from Barack Obama Martin Luther king it's not anything that would be codified so we remove that also removed the the title because I I do acknowledge that this bill alone was certainly not going to calls because or create racial and ethnic equality but I I believe do believe it is going to get us a significant way forward in terms of our conversations about teaching race and ethnicity in our schools and what is the proper way to do that but it also does it in such a way that it does not limit discourse and I'll just refer you to section that is on your second page. Our starts on the first page of public school or an open enrollment charter school shall not express depict or teach about race or ethnicity in a manner that prevents or inhibits fair and open discourse that employs reason as a guide for deliberation the exchange of ideas and opposing points of view so it's certainly creates I believe a fertile ground for being able to have conversations and discussions in classrooms about issues sometimes very sensitive issues many times sensitive issues about race and ethnicity. What we've done also is pared down two four five elements from I believe the original list of seven of the issue the of the items which curriculum reading materials shall not depict. We all agreed on number one that we should not be teaching or depicting that any race or ethnicity or superior to any other race or ethnicity. representative Bardock made a very good point a number two and we added in some language there is said that any individual from a particular race or ethnicity is inherently racist we we don't believe that and I think it's important to look at what the definition of inherent is. Inherent is defined as existing in something as a permanent is central or characteristic attribute and I think we would hope that even if there are within an individual tendencies rations racist tendencies that it is not a permanent permanent element and I think that that's what we're agreeing on here that it's not in here and that it's not permanent and so we would hope that that would not be taught three the we would not teach that any race or ethnicity should feel guilt or shame because of their race or ethnicity for and this is one of the points where I I just had to differ from representive Murdoch's input and I kept that that we should not teach that the United States as a nation is systemically racist now the original version of that said that the United States as a nation is inherently races and actually a nation can't be inherent especially that that it that is a quality that exist but it can be systemic but again systemic is defined as affecting the whole affecting the whole. If we believe that America is systemically racist then we have to believe that each and every element every element. Not just localized and not just a part but every element. Of the system the United States system the government system is inherently racist and I don't believe that that is something that we should be taught in our schools and then the last element in again this was one that representative Murdock agreed with me that it should remain that we should not be teaching that the promotion we should not be teaching the promotion of prejudice or discrimination toward any race or ethnicity. Now all of that is shall language but we're the may language comes in is in terms of the last page each public school an open enrollment public charter school may promulgate policies for the implementation of this section and ensure that all parents and legal guardians of public school students are advised of the policies implemented under this section we also took it out that the state of department of education would promulgate rules that that's removed we took out the enforcement mechanism that a violation of this law would take the school district below the before the state board of education this is something that that is in it at its essence local control we're saying the things that we believe our guideline of what you should not teach but then it's up to each school district of whether they want to or not and we hope that they would promulgate rules you know when this legislation hopefully gets passed the Arkansas school boards association like they do with any education educational law or bill that is it past they they issued directives to the local school boards saying Hey this is something that just got adopted you should be aware of it at that point it is up to the local school district whether they're going to take the next step and actually incorporated into their school board policies we hope that they would because it this is a state I believe this is a dramatic starting point for us ended in addressing issues the these very volatile issues of race and ethnicity that we would say let's see if we can't agree on the things that we should not be teaching and depicting in our classrooms so I had promised you I would not give a very long presentation because I've done that the other day but I felt like it was important to explain how we got from. A four page bill to a to a one page bill and so I'm I'm open for any questions thank you representative Murdock you're recognized. Yeah so let me first thank you to limit first appreciate road in LAR four of these you know coming to the table to have a discussion about the sensitivity of the things inside of this bill that we are sensitive to the you did make some changes as you you that knowledge there's some a couple of key things. This delay out there at the beginning and and it is out trying to go to your amendment but the beginning languages as we started talking about what the activity or the actions will be there was a statement that was I put their they talked about all of this being under the direction and authority of the local school board. If that's not in here so everything should be. Initially in their direction under that not necessarily a state though the encouragement you know obviously we're encouraging it in parts of this bill but I did want any action to be precipitated by the local school board in their control their decision making. So we'll and and represent Murdock. We do that really in the last section of giving may language to the local school district they may adopt policies that may not. So that really is where were you were you had to give me the line on the second page Section see each public school open enrollment public charter school may promulgate policies for the implementation of this section so this is this section of the entire so we're talking about the entire bill this this section everything that precedes it so we've we've issued a directive this is what we would hope. Would be taking place that it should it shall take place within the school board has the option of whether to. Obligate rules and policies or not okay there's no enforcement mechanism so it's it's optional unfortunately yeah I just get this so I'm trying to go to insurance it I understand you know the party you know he did it you did include a give me some notes and and I'm sorry I got separate there were two different if you remember there were two different versions you gave me and I I got separated from the first one and and missed that one section you're talking about when I would but I went back and looked at the last section of felt like it did include what we talked about I'll get back in the queue funny to cheer someone else ask questions representative brown you're recognized. Thank you Mr chair. I really like this bill I like the intent of it. And I like the spirit of it and I want to say that It it means a lot to me because of my mother who was born in nineteen twenty three and who will soon be ninety eight years old. I was born and raised in a German community in southeast Missouri following World War one. They all spoke German in her family and only learned English when the new teacher to their one room school. Could not speak German so they all had to learn to speak English but they were also she was also discouraged by her family her grandparents only spoke folk a little bit of English she was discouraged from speaking German because of being in the aftermath of World War one. And so consequently today she only's understands just a tiny bit of German and taught me to count to ten. And then in addition to that I attended segregated school in grade school in Southeast Arkansas when I. Was young. And was surprised when my airforce father it was recruiter in Monticello was transferred then to Illinois where we at ten at it again had segregated schools all where all the little black children who my age were bused to a different school where only black children attended. It has been many many years that I have been waiting for all of this tension to die down in for each of us to treat each other like fellow human beings and not be looking at each other skin color accent ethnicity or whatever and treat each other as fellow human beings and I really applaud this legislation thank you representative Lowery thank you. Representative Godfrey. Thank you Mr chair and represent Larry thank you for your work on this bill into making some changes and my question is is similar to representative brown's comments and because I I think there's a difference and it kind of thought and in some of these points in the bill there's a difference between the individual and discrimination or bias or racial prize prejudice and that you know kind of spelled out in a couple of these but then there is kind of this this alternate definition of racism are not alternate but at and secondary definition of racism as systematic or institutional and I think those two things are both worth talking about and and discussing in this building you have so my question is about four where you have left in The United States as a nation is systemically racist that that cannot be taught even that that was a component of the bill that represented Murdock had asked you to strike and so I am wondering if you can tell me. In your opinion the difference in individual. You know personal discrimination bias prejudice voter says systemic or institutional racism if if you think there is a difference and. How those two different definitions they need to play out in the classroom particularly a social studies or history classroom okay well I believe that those are two separate areas talking about the individual at as opposed to the government system I think it's an easy lift to saying okay yeah I will agree you shouldn't teach that every individual is racist okay I mean come on. That's an easy lift I don't know that that really makes a statement. But it's worth an understanding of it's a it's worth understanding especially if for whatever reason we've been raised to believe that someone with different ethnicity or different color is is absolutely conditioned inherent inherently racist in their view points towards us to recognize no I'm not going to believe that because I'm I have individual relationships I've had individual encounters where I know that's not true so even though it's an is too easy lift I think it's something should be addressed and we do address it but is also equally important to address. It when you are teaching history or when you are teaching social issues that you don't make a court blunt statement that the United States itself is systemic and remember again the definition that I pointed out systemic that no doctor Johnson can relate to this because the word systemic issues many times matter fact most the definitions I looked at related to medicine and it's talking about the whole every part and parcel of it. And what you could maybe point out that their economic systems or there's you know we've been dealing with habitability standards that there may be laws related to renters rights where there may be racial implications. I think it's important for us to recognize that not every corner. In every part of America the American system is this is racist the whole and that that would be improper to be taught and it would not only be improper it would be factually incorrect to teach that in the classroom or to depicted follow up you're recognized I understand that that's your opinion you've made that really clear through this bill and to others that the United States is not systemically racist I'm wondering then keeping in this part of the bill. Did you get affirmation or or you know signing off from other colleagues of color. Two. Continue to prohibit teaching that the United States is not systemically racist that there are not systemic institutional instances of racism in the United States are hi there members of color who say yes the bill is as good as amended I agree that this is promoting racial and ethnic equality now well that actually at as I mentioned at the top. You know I did my best to compromise a compromise means that both sides does the people of color who might have had influence on this bill and then myself and others we both have to give up something. This was something I was not willing to give up but I gave up a whole lot else and I would hope that there would be a recognition by those who are and I hate to even use the phrase the other side because I hope that we're all working together on this but the the way that you phrase the question had did did I get agreement from people of color on this particular element no I didn't but also didn't get complete agreement on that other changes that were made so it's it's kind of lose lose but that's really where you get to in terms of compromise and I think that this was something that Devoid of that it really makes this whole attempt useless if we can't believe you know I gave up for instance is the the part that said that we shouldn't teach the overthrow of the government now that's okay because teaching overthrow the government government sedition and treason and we've already got laws that cover that so but this is something that I think is extremely important that we not be teaching in our classrooms are depicting in our classrooms that America in its totality that the system. Is rations is racist I think that that's an important distinction. Representative Murdock your backup. Thank you so let me make sure that I'm clear on your own this amendment and that everything in this amendment. Is. Is. Based upon the authority or will be only executed up on the authority and the permission of the local school board nothing in this. Bill now. It's going to go forward without the local authority saying we want to put this in place we're going to whatever you have here we can debate some of the tenants of a steel I'm okay with the negotiation but I want to make sure that nothing goes forward. Without the local school board being D. The authority that is correct there there is no enforcement mechanism being handed down by the by the Arkansas legislature there are no promulgation of rules by the department of elementary said secondary education and even the piece that talks about policies being promulgated is a may it's adoption by the local school board yeah with that you know again I'll give you credit for what you've done I really will and I can support this because what it does if the S. the local school board decides it gives more opportunity for conversation into the role in the issue S. even what you when represent guy from what we're talking about what I had in there no before that you want to you know that whole. Discussion is not going to happen everything is not going to happen in one day and one bill but because of the efforts that were made I do appreciate that thank M. because with the control the is I appreciate that and I think that's a long way to this because the only time it'll become a part of is when the local leadership decides to make it apart as correct and thank you thank you for all your help yeah. No other questions from committee we do have one signed up to speak against the bill. Ryan foster you're recognized because the table and invite yourself for the record please. My name is Ryan foster with the Ozarks coalition and currently we're in opposition this bill from a reason section for of course is extremely problematic but first I do want to stay two of representative brown I understand what it's like to have your culture strip for your family for conformity twenty seconds ago wish. Transfection zero. I understand. Originally born in Germany had to come over here in American learn how to speak English however I have not seen provision in this bill that would protect my right to speak German five was in the same situation here today. In addition I've grown up in Arkansas old school system attended here middle school and finish on high school. There is not one section of this bill that would protect me as a student through any of the racial. Sexual or ethnic tensions that I faced attending schools here in Arkansas. It will not stop kids from saying the N. word will not give the kids the opportunity to learn why they should say that and whenever you have provisions in the bill especially that strip parts of our history and language you effectively control conversation there has been a lot of posturing about believes appeared to believe of American unity American integration. Constitutionality. Generally the purpose from what I've gathered from representative Lowery is he wants everybody to sit around single bionic three okay we'll we'll agree that's what we're all here. The only problem with that is he also wants us to stay in the same sentence that the United States at any point has never ever had a systemic racial issue. We all know that the ally I mean R. State inter rebellion to specifically over this issue about a hundred and fifty years ago just over that mark. At the end of the day This bill does not actually enforce or protect Arkansas students while leaving it in the hands of local school boards I think is an extremely useful provision if it were to pass. It does nothing for students the only thing it does is it adds to the next campaign slogan Hey I was able to pass this for Free all here. It wouldn't protected me it would have made my life any easier who would meet any less arduous going to Arkansas school system. In addition whenever comes this tree we have some very or fax me I sit on the one hand being a descendant of a slave owner and on the other hand being a descendant of a slave. And I would not know what to say to my children they came home and said that that was never the case here and that would seems like this bill is going to establish is going to try to wash away the history of the United States. Once again we should not be ashamed of history we need to be willing to embrace it openly or any kind of session. Whatever it takes lastly I would challenge Mister Lowery to produce a student who will say that they've been discriminated against the neighbor called inherently racist of course the onus of this conversation would be a white students who would say oh I was accused of being racist and I was told I'm inherently racist and I was also you know ridiculed for that by my peers in school if he can produce a student and we can hear that students testimony I think from a public standpoint they would give this bill a little bit more credence if we could hear from other members who were people of color black native American and. Hispanic Latino could also give credence this bill once again I think a bigger bill I think the intent behind it is not bad but the writing as it is. So not pass it wasn't anything. Your questions yes representative brown you're recognized question. Apologize Sir I didn't catch your last name foster foster Mister foster Do you accept our. I think that. In our human condition. Humans have all types of frailties. Offense and and many people have prejudice I believe we all have prejudices but do you think in addition to that that are prejudice is Baked in to our government that that that. That everybody in this country because of our government. And I guess maybe not everybody I think maybe you're just saying all white people are prejudiced against all black people are what what do you saying. So the question comes to I think the government is racist in any kind of degree or any kind of leniency do I think that racism from the government has led to a racial bias in between the black and white people my correct or off the mark. That's pretty close. Well I'm going until you my experience is certainly different from what appears to think all white people are racist now do I think everybody carries a cognitive bias with them based on how we've been raised what we've learned where we work to help you lived absolutely I'm living here in Arkansas I get the common all the time every day well that was just how I was raised will does just how things work or will that which is how law enforcement was well that was just how the city was that has been my experience for a lot of people come out the woodwork to say Hey I have racist tendencies that prejudice I discriminate against people on willingly unknowingly sometimes but I do it. But they want to be better my problem the bill is this also keeps those people from even questioning and challenging their own assumptions and beliefs. So not not all white people are racist not a you know that not the entire governments racist but you can't look at half of its policies and claimed that it wasn't. You can go to school force your beliefs on students place was be free to believe that just. Person Murdoch give a question for Mr foster absolutely so Mister foster you and you may be enlighten me something that I think. That I don't see like you see it in the bill is going to make sure I understand what you are you're saying that this bill prevents as you read it are you understand it for you Vance. US from teaching the troops that you are talking about is that what you think because it is not my interpretation of the bill say is that it can't be taught all those troops those facts that are are history this bill does not prevent that from being taught. So therefore the truth is brought for and then it's up to an individual who we should not biased in any way we should give them information allow them to know factually what happened. So but I want to make sure that I'm okay and I'm right on this because you bring out a point you bring is strongly that this that you feel like this bill prohibits that. That's not what this bill does as I understand it so represent Lowery can I get clarity. Did you my question. Okay so the question is as I understand this bill it does not prevent the teaching of the fact that Mr foster are talking about that we know is facts that the S. this is what is happening in this country. This does not prevent that does not prevent the. Okay so Mister foster. What did not preventing that with that being your major problem. There's still the other issues to this bill okay we talk about equality in this bill as well and it was just this committee about an hour ago that use once again made a very unequal decision towards a group of people it does not extend that equality towards a sex and gender identity or orientation all the does protects race ethnicity so for going to pass the bill here that's for all quality needs to be encompassing for all quality and should be something that's modeled after our federal guidelines you know another way to say this state does support our constitution life liberty pursuit of happiness You know there's still just a lot of problematic sections of this bill that I think's going to cause a lot of parents to become extremely upset once you start to understand how it's going to change the child's education what what what I'd like to that upset that state of upset Mr come from Mr foster is the faxes and the bill and not an assumption of the bill because obviously I had a great problem with the bill for similar reasons you I'm sure. And now that. The discussion is being permitted by this bill it is only being permitted in districts where is allows what with their some discussion on that because of becomes law and in part see we're saying the route that you could put that the distributor okay the rules of how it's taught I think that we're. Giving the flex a bit being given the flexibility of. Process of giving information to our students allowing our local. Teachers school boards. To develop the curriculum if you will. All that is here what so what becomes the problem of prevention there's no prevention here it mentions some things it mentions some very strong real things that we need to talk about borders to prevention. Well what my issue is is the interpretation of how that's going to be utilized at school board meetings I attended several session Harrison as an outgoing kids going there and my biggest concern with this bill is like to change or differ subject gun control. In the past and I don't want to change that really don't I don't know that's a different situation but all this I know but this is some situation. When you look at a law for gun control it seems sensible reasonable but when you see how it's applied within the system it can sometimes be utilized in the very racist fashion Mister foster I'd like you to stay a little bit tighter and just on the point of this bill I'm not get off into a separate societal issue please I do understand but that's my point the interpretation of this law. Can get pushed to where it becomes you can talk about race and school you can't talk about the United States race's history in school you can't talk about the state of Arkansas is recent history in school that can't happen and what does that make the foster it may not say it but it seems to lend itself towards not at all I I totally disagree because of the language allows for it does not prevent and I just don't want us. If you rebel allow returns on the other side I want us to just say what it is. And deal with the facts as they are and just like I want I want everybody to stand defense open face up so that we can get better everybody. Excellent service so the question comes what do we need this bill passed. Why does that we need to pass but I'm saying how it can pay. I don't they will need it okay we're any Q. and a period represent mark I understand you pass for this. Mr foster we're here to ask you questions not the reverse. Are you are you through with your testimony okay any other questions for Mister foster. C. nine thank you for your testimony Sir Sir anyone in the audience who wants to speak for the bill. Yes the bill saying none then representative Lowery you're recognized to close for your bill. Thank you and thank you members for again allowing and being patient for us to have the discussion I you know I think there's several things that Mr foster said that I that I think they're really fleshing out any talks about the conversations that he has with people around town and Harrison and they say well that's how it was and that's how it has been in. At. And I'm glad that people are talking about it in terms of what it was what we're trying to talk about is what is and what can be. And that's why the teaching. Are there times in America's history where there were large pockets. Of people who had racist beliefs and racism as defined as believing that one race your race is superior to another yes there were pockets but even in the midst of slavery they were abolitionists who were fighting and dying. Because they didn't believe that they didn't believe that their races was superior to another that everyone was created equal. The pockets existed was but is America systemically racist is it now the entire total system no and that's why that I that I really fight for that one segment I appreciate the discussion I appreciate representative Murdock really focusing in on the fact that this does give flexibility to school districts on how they're going to implement it in so I would appreciate your support and I make a motion of do pass. As amended as amended thank you there's a motion former representative Lowery do pass as amended a discussion on the motion represent Murdock you're recognized a real quick point of clarity. Of. how they implemented versus if they implemented. My point. To the quote previous question about this this language as a whole the bill was if the local school board authorized it what I want to make sure of again as I get to the point of voting is that. You your language in part C. says it gives them the authority on how to implement. I want them to have the authority. As to whether it's even going to be enacted if that makes sense I don't want it to be even introduced you know so is it this is the six sixty one fifty six. Says to me that it's going to be a law. And see if the if somebody what promote promulgate rules or policies for that law House implemented so by just being a law what does that present to districts now this represents a two point of confusion and this is what discussion with the members that make and help me make sure without the decision I want to make is that the local school board has the total decision on whether this happens. Since represented Godfrey. Thank you Mr chair and I I do just as they represent Lowery I really authentically and sincerely appreciate your collaboration here I know that you made compromises and sacrifices and and I I really appreciate thank you did exactly the right thing and based on the feedback from this committee and collaborating with other members and I I really appreciate that I think that's exactly the work that will continue to promote racial and ethnic equality said so thank you for that work and I do you know that that four is a little bit sticky for me and it just because Act I think it is so important that we let you know not to name call the United States as racist but to really be critical about some of those kind of initial systematic foundations of our nation that have had structural impacts on individuals and and communities and so I know that I hear you say like we can still teach that we can teach the history of that but I I do worry about kind of that chilling effect on some of those conversations especially in history and social studies classes where we do need to do the hard work of looking at some of the structural and systemic inequities in our country that happened in the past continue to pervade today and say that's the peace and that that I just felt a little that It is a little bit problematic for me and I understand that that we just disagree order opinion there and but again I I do. I can you know stay enough how important this kind of collaborative work is to come in how these candid and courageous conversations about race and about what we believe in I feel like you've been completely respectful and collaborative and and I really do want to affirm that work especially and collaborate with represent Murdock I think that's exactly what policy you know making should be and what what this committee should be about and so I I do just want to say thank you to me it's just that that before and that I understand you know was that a deal breaker for you and I think perhaps it is for me as well but I do appreciate the collaboration thank you thank you. Any other discussion for members. Seeing nuns motion on the floor by representative Larry do pass as amended will vote on the motion all those in favor say aye. Opposed nay. Highs haven't graduation pastor bill thank you very much members. C.. This represents Johnson you wanted to your going present the bill today. You're recognized president house bill nineteen thirty two there is an amendment on that bills being passed around will give staff moment to circulate that amendment. Seeing none believe there's anyone signed up to speak for against the bill anyone in the audience like to speak for the bill. Against the bill seeing none president Johnson recognized close your bill I'll close will make a motion to pass to Johnson close for his bill as amended has an emotion do pass as amended he discussion on the motion. Si number of votes on the motion all those in favor say aye. As may. Is have gradually you pass your bill thank you president is met with the Senate to discuss three lottery scholarship bills the meeting was long it was late I know some of you had to leave it was my understanding and visiting from some of you that I even though we did not get to vote because one of the particular bills fell one vote short on the Senate couple things transpired one one of the senators was confused thinking that they could only vote on one of those instead of being able to vote on all three and that one vote would have to push that first Senate bill which was the one point four million four scholarships to special needs students to go into higher ed programs are for higher programs Trying to if they are in agreement Less than ten minutes for us to gavel in have a short presentation on that bill and then the Senate would vote on it and then we would vote on it and depending upon the fall of the votes whether we would adopt that new lottery scholarship so please. Make a foot know that I will follow up with a text message to this group if we in fact are going to meet immediately upon adjournment it will only take just a few minutes it will be a big mac a and then you'll be able to go to your respective committees afterwards. Adjournment of session the German session tomorrow we would go to