Education Committee- House
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Transcript
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Bills discussed (44)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
HB1025
· 5 mentions in agenda, chapter, transcript
Matched: “…aught Rep. Hope Duke REGULAR AGENDA Number Sponsor Subtitle HB1025 McGruder TO CREATE THE TEACHER FAIR DISMISSAL ACT OF 2025.…”
|
TO CREATE THE TEACHER FAIR DISMISSAL ACT OF 2025. | McGruder | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1689
Act 355
· 4 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “hb1689”
|
TO REQUIRE A PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL TO GRANT ACCESS TO ITS FACILITIES TO MILITARY RECRUITERS; … | M. Shepherd | Notification that HB1689 is now Act 355 |
|
HB1020
· 2 mentions in agenda, transcript
Matched: “…O PAY FOR INCURRED COSTS FOR APPROVED PAID MATERNITY LEAVE. HB1020 A. Collins TO REPEAL THE ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL FR…”
|
TO REPEAL THE ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL FREEDOM ACCOUNT PROGRAM; TO CREATE A NEW EDUCATION FUNDING … | A. Collins | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1545
Act 501
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1545 K. Brown TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS MILITARY CHILD SCHOOL TRANSI…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS MILITARY CHILD SCHOOL TRANSITIONS ACT OF 2021. | K. Brown | Notification that HB1545 is now Act 501 |
|
HB1561
Act 473
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1561 Painter TO ESTABLISH THE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROTECTION…”
|
TO ESTABLISH THE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROTECTION ACT OF 2025. | Painter | Notification that HB1561 is now Act 473 |
|
HB1571
Act 502
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1571 Ray TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS ADULT DIPLOMA PROGRAM ACT.”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS ADULT DIPLOMA PROGRAM ACT. | Ray | Notification that HB1571 is now Act 502 |
|
HB1017
Act 904
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…L STUDIES STANDARDS. DEFERRED BILLS Number Sponsor Subtitle HB1017 A. Collins TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING PAID MATERNITY LEAVE…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING PAID MATERNITY LEAVE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES; AND TO REQUIRE … | A. Collins | Notification that HB1017 is now Act 904 |
|
HB1023
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND OPEN-ENROLLMENT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS. HB1023 A. Collins TO AMEND THE STATE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM; AN…”
|
TO AMEND THE STATE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM; AND TO AMEND THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR LOAN … | A. Collins | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1027
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…EPAYMENT AMOUNTS UNDER THE STATE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM. HB1027 D. Garner TO CREATE THE BRIGHTER START ACT OF 2025; AND TO…”
|
TO CREATE THE BRIGHTER START ACT OF 2025; AND TO REQUIRE THE TREASURER OF STATE … | D. Garner | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1030
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…TING AND FUTURE ARKANSAS BRIGHTER FUTURE FUND PLAN ACCOUNT. HB1030 T. Shephard TO REQUIRE A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER OR LAW ENF…”
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TO REQUIRE A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER OR LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL TO OBTAIN CERTIFICATION IN YOUTH … | T. Shephard | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1031
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…OUNSELOR TO RECEIVE YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING. HB1031 D. Garner TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS HEALTHY LIFESTYLE EDUCATIO…”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS HEALTHY LIFESTYLE EDUCATION ACT OF 2025; AND TO ENSURE THE HEALTH … | D. Garner | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1051
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…IC SCHOOLS ADDRESSES CERTAIN HEALTH ISSUES FACING STUDENTS. HB1051 Andrews TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL START DATE REQUIREMENTS.…”
|
TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL START DATE REQUIREMENTS. | Andrews | WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR |
|
HB1062
Act 565
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…Andrews TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL START DATE REQUIREMENTS. HB1062 R. Scott TO CREATE THE TEACHER AND STUDENT PROTECTION ACT O…”
|
TO CREATE THE TEACHER AND STUDENT PROTECTION ACT OF 2025. | R. Scott Richardson | Notification that HB1062 is now Act 565 |
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HB1081
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…THE TEACHER AND STUDENT PROTECTION ACT OF 2025. Richardson HB1081 B. McKenzie TO REPEAL ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE DEVELOPMEN…”
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TO REPEAL ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES. | B. McKenzie | WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR |
|
HB1139
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…NT AND ADMINISTRATION OF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES. HB1139 B. McKenzie TO CREATE THE RELEASED TIME EDUCATION ACT. Page…”
|
TO CREATE THE RELEASED TIME EDUCATION ACT. | B. McKenzie | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1144
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…zie TO CREATE THE RELEASED TIME EDUCATION ACT. Page 2 of 3 HB1144 Wooten TO REQUIRE A PARTICIPATING SCHOOL UNDER THE ARKANSAS…”
|
TO REQUIRE A PARTICIPATING SCHOOL UNDER THE ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL FREEDOM ACCOUNT PROGRAM TO COMPLY … | Wooten | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1197
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…REPORTING REQUIREMENTS TO WHICH PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE SUBJECT. HB1197 S. Meeks TO PROHIBIT SCHEDULING, HOSTING, OR REQUIRING AN O…”
|
TO PROHIBIT SCHEDULING, HOSTING, OR REQUIRING AN OUTDOOR PRACTICE, SCRIMMAGE, GAME, OR ACTIVITY FOR AN … | S. Meeks | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1239
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…THE HOURS WHEN AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING HAS BEEN DECLARED. HB1239 A. Collins TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003;…”
|
TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003; AND TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL CATEGORY … | A. Collins | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1242
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…NT AT EACH MEETING OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS. HB1242 J. Mayberry TO AMEND THE MECHANISM BY WHICH SCHOOL NURSES A…”
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TO AMEND THE MECHANISM BY WHICH SCHOOL NURSES ARE COMPENSATED. | J. Mayberry | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1283
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…DITIONAL CATEGORY OF FUNDING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDING. HB1283 J. Mayberry TO REQUIRE THE DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECON…”
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TO REQUIRE THE DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION TO INCLUDE DIGITAL MEDIA STANDARDS IN … | J. Mayberry | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1312
Act 909
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…SCHOOL YEARS. PENDING FISCAL IMPACT Number Sponsor Subtitle HB1312 Brooks TO AMEND PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING AMOUNTS UNDER THE PUB…”
|
TO AMEND PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING AMOUNTS UNDER THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003. | Brooks | Notification that HB1312 is now Act 909 |
|
HB1457
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…TAX LEVIED BY A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS. HB1457 L. Johnson TO REQUIRE PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO SUBMIT DATA AND OTH…”
|
TO REQUIRE PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO SUBMIT DATA AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATED TO A PUBLIC SCHOOL … | L. Johnson | WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR |
|
HB1482
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…D INTENDS TO COVER PRIVATE SCHOOL COSTS WITH STATE FUNDING. HB1482 Gramlich TO CREATE AN EXCEPTION TO THE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE RE…”
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TO CREATE AN EXCEPTION TO THE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR A STUDENT WHO TAKES A … | Gramlich | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1483
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE TWELVE LIBRARY MEDIA STANDARDS. HB1483 Gramlich TO ALLOW A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT TO USE STATE FUN…”
|
TO ALLOW A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT TO USE STATE FUNDS TO PAY FOR AN ADULT … | Gramlich | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1484
Act 910
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…TYPE 2 DIABETES WHEN OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION IS PROVIDED. HB1484 Gramlich TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF CREDITS A STUDENT MAY OBTAI…”
|
TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF CREDITS A STUDENT MAY OBTAIN IN A COURSE CREDIT RECOVERY … | Gramlich | Notification that HB1484 is now Act 910 |
|
HB1490
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…TIONAL EDUCATION CATEGORY OF FUNDING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION. HB1490 Wardlaw TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT A PUBLIC SCHOOL STUD…”
|
TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT A PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENT RETURN TEMPORARILY ISSUED ITEMS, RESOURCES, MATERIALS, … | Wardlaw | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1492
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…S A STUDENT MAY OBTAIN IN A COURSE CREDIT RECOVERY PROGRAM. HB1492 Gramlich TO REQUIRE EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT AND OPEN-EN…”
|
TO REQUIRE EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT AND OPEN-ENROLLMENT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL TO IMPLEMENT A MOBILE … | Gramlich | Recommended for study in the Interim by the … |
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HB1495
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…UNDING AMOUNTS UNDER THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003. HB1495 Hawk CONCERNING THE TRANSFER OF A STUDENT'S PERMANENT SCHOO…”
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CONCERNING THE TRANSFER OF A STUDENT'S PERMANENT SCHOOL RECORD. | Hawk | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1528
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…AMEND THE MECHANISM BY WHICH SCHOOL NURSES ARE COMPENSATED. HB1528 McGruder TO REQUIRE A REPORT CARD TO INCLUDE A STUDENT'S CU…”
|
TO REQUIRE A REPORT CARD TO INCLUDE A STUDENT'S CURRENT READING GRADE LEVEL. | McGruder | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1539
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…ENTS FOR A STUDENT WHO TAKES A GED TEST AND RECEIVES A GED. HB1539 A. Collins TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003;…”
|
TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003; AND TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL EDUCATION … | A. Collins | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1541
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…RT CARD TO INCLUDE A STUDENT'S CURRENT READING GRADE LEVEL. HB1541 Wooten TO REQUIRE A PRIVATE SCHOOL THAT ACCEPTS STATE FUNDI…”
|
TO REQUIRE A PRIVATE SCHOOL THAT ACCEPTS STATE FUNDING OF ANY TYPE TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION … | Wooten | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1542
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…TRANSPORTATION TO CERTAIN STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE SCHOOL. HB1542 Wooten TO REQUIRE PRIVATE SCHOOLS TO ADMINISTER AN ANNUAL S…”
|
TO REQUIRE PRIVATE SCHOOLS TO ADMINISTER AN ANNUAL STATEWIDE STUDENT ASSESSMENT; AND TO REQUIRE PRIVATE … | Wooten | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1580
Act 801
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…N PROGRAM USING A UNIFORM STATEWIDE DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM. HB1580 Gramlich TO REQUIRE SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN INFORMATION…”
|
TO REQUIRE SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN INFORMATION ON TYPE 1 AND TYPE 2 DIABETES WHEN … | Gramlich | Notification that HB1580 is now Act 801 |
|
HB1598
Act 474
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1598 Brooks TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH…”
|
TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH A NEW ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS; … | Brooks | Notification that HB1598 is now Act 474 |
|
HB1640
Act 476
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…CREATE THE RELIGIOUS RIGHTS AT PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACT OF 2025. HB1640 Duke TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "ADMINISTRATOR" AS IT RELAT…”
|
TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "ADMINISTRATOR" AS IT RELATES TO ETHICAL GUIDELINES AND PROHIBITIONS; AND … | Duke | Notification that HB1640 is now Act 476 |
|
HB1642
Act 916
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…ONS ON EMPLOYMENT SPECIFIC TO PUBLIC SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS. HB1642 Gramlich TO AMEND THE MEASURES CONSIDERED WHEN CALCULATING…”
|
TO AMEND THE MEASURES CONSIDERED WHEN CALCULATING A SCHOOL RATING; AND TO ENSURE A STUDENT … | Gramlich | Notification that HB1642 is now Act 916 |
|
HB1646
Act 917
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…OOL-LEVEL GRADUATION RATE IF THE STUDENT PASSES A GED TEST. HB1646 McGrew TO REQUIRE CERTAIN MATERIALS TO BE STORED IN LOCKED…”
|
TO REQUIRE CERTAIN MATERIALS TO BE STORED IN LOCKED COMPARTMENTS WITHIN A DESIGNATED AREA. | McGrew | Notification that HB1646 is now Act 917 |
|
HB1672
Act 800
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…IALS TO BE STORED IN LOCKED ROOMS WITHIN A DESIGNATED AREA. HB1672 McCollum TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO CREATE…”
|
TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO CREATE A MORE EFFICIENT SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC … | McCollum | Notification that HB1672 is now Act 800 |
|
HB1684
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…estrictions designating areas as 'Members and Staff Only'. HB1684 McAlindon TO CREATE THE PARENTS AND TEACHERS HELPING STUDEN…”
|
TO CREATE THE PARENTS AND TEACHERS HELPING STUDENTS SUCCEED (PATHS) ACT. | McAlindon | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1696
Act 566
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…S TO GRANT ACCESS TO ITS FACILITIES TO MILITARY RECRUITERS. HB1696 McAlindon TO ESTABLISH THE STRENGTHENING ARKANSAS EDUCATION…”
|
TO ESTABLISH THE STRENGTHENING ARKANSAS EDUCATION ACT; AND TO PROVIDE A CORE CURRICULUM AT STATE-SUPPORTED … | McAlindon | Notification that HB1696 is now Act 566 |
|
HB1697
Act 477
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…ICULUM AT STATE-SUPPORTED INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION. HB1697 Joey Carr TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF TITLE 6 AND TITLE 19 OF TH…”
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TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF TITLE 6 AND TITLE 19 OF THE ARKANSAS CODE CONCERNING PROVISIONAL … | Joey Carr | Notification that HB1697 is now Act 477 |
|
HB1705
Act 478
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…TITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. HB1705 Duke TO REQUIRE INFORMATION CONCERNING HOW THE BELIEFS OF T…”
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TO REQUIRE INFORMATION CONCERNING HOW THE RELIGIOUS AND MORAL BELIEFS OF THE FOUNDING FATHERS INFLUENCED … | Duke | Notification that HB1705 is now Act 478 |
|
SB135
Act 399
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…SCHOOL IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE TO ENROLL IN A HOME SCHOOL. SB135 J. Boyd TO AMEND ELECTION REQUIREMENTS IN THE CASE OF AN UN…”
|
TO AMEND ELECTION REQUIREMENTS IN THE CASE OF AN UNCHANGED RATE OF AN ANNUAL AD … | J. Boyd | Notification that SB135 is now Act 399 |
|
SB223
Act 400
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…ERNING THE TRANSFER OF A STUDENT'S PERMANENT SCHOOL RECORD. SB223 M. Johnson TO CREATE THE RELIGIOUS RIGHTS AT PUBLIC SCHOOLS…”
|
TO CREATE THE RELIGIOUS RIGHTS AT PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACT OF 2025. | M. Johnson | Notification that SB223 is now Act 400 |
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seen a quorum without objection we're going to move House Bill 1689 off of pending fiscal impact for consideration. Seeing
Representative Matthew J. Shepherd
Unverified
0:16
no objection, so moved. We are going to enter into a 5 minute recess as we're preparing for those fiscal impacts to be brought over from BLR. So without objection, we'll motion for a 5 minute recess. See an objection, so moved.
Alright ladies and gentlemen, chair sees a quorum again. uh, we'll come out of recess, um, committee staff is passing around the fiscal note for House Bill 1689, um, uh, I'll go ahead and uh uh recognize Representative Shepherd to begin presentation on this bill, um, given that the fiscal impact is zero, so Representative Shepherd, you're recognized. Thank
you, Mr. Chairman Matthew Shepherd, District 97 with the chairman's permission, I'd like for General Henderson to join me here at the end of the table. Absolutely. Thank you, General. Please introduce yourself. The record.
Representative Matthew J. Shepherd
Unverified
7:02
Thank you Good afternoon or good morning, Mr. Chairman. I'm Brigadier General
Michael Henderson, Arkansas National Guard. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, members of the committee, House Bill 1689 is uh fairly simple bill, uh, basically what this bill does is it builds off of prior legislation, uh, and simply requires access to our National Guards into our public
schools, actually the National Guard and all branches of the military into our public schools and our institutions of higher education, uh, it was brought to my attention a few months ago that Um, there are cer certain places where maybe the cooperation is not exactly been at its highest level, and it's important that we have, as we all know, it's important that we have, uh, uh, a strong military and that our military is able to to meet its recruiting goals, but particularly for the National
Guard, it is important for them to be able to meet their recruiting goals because if you're if they're unable to meet recruiting goals that can lead to the loss of, of some of our National Guard units and. Uh, Obviously those National Guard units as well as our entire military is very valuable to our state and country, but particularly with the National Guard, the National Guard provides so many uh services to the state of Arkansas in our time of need and so I just felt like it was something that was important that we address that we send a strong signal, uh, you
can see in the bill that it provides um access to the National Guard and the other branches of the military, uh, and makes certain that we're very clear about. we want our schools to provide that access, uh, for purposes of recruitment and I'll turn it over to the general for any comments
Speaker 9
8:49
that he may have. Good good morning committee and uh yeah,
Speaker 10
8:55
just to uh amplify some comments that, uh, uh, Mr. Shepherd made there as well, um. The, uh, Arkansas National Guard
sees this as a critically important, uh, bill because um as you know, uh, in the time of need for the state and in the event that we have a uh domestic response uh required uh for our local authorities. It's the National Guard that uh that is responsible for that, uh, in addition, uh, those, uh, young, uh students who are looking for that next um. Looking for a pathway to that next chapter of their lives, uh, we believe there's no better option for them than servicing
the Arkansas National Guard, uh, for many reasons, uh, and you know, most importantly is they develop the discipline, uh, skills, uh, leadership and teamwork, uh, to be uh good uh citizens and employees uh for businesses uh here in our community, uh, and because we are the Arkansas National Guard, uh, the individuals who join our ranks. Uh, they gained the military skills and they utilize them here at home, uh, so they stay
here, uh, and they help form our, uh, our workforce, uh, and make a, a better state, uh, for our citizens to live in and uh with that uh
I'll be available for any questions. Thank you, General. Uh, are there any questions
from committee? Representative Gonzalezoren, you're recognized. Thank you for this
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
10:27
bill. um, thank you. Um, I was wondering about um just looking at the high school 10 through 12. I know I'm coming up with the
grade levels. How did you come up with the grade level to start 10 through 12. The, the reason I'm asking is because a lot of high schools start, they're they're a 912 high school and Generally 8th grade is the time where um counselors are working with students to determine their 9th grade schedule since that 9th grade will be part of the. The GPA requirement for graduation, so I was just wondering how you came across 10
Representative Matthew J. Shepherd
Unverified
11:11
through 12 and, and if it's set 10 through 12. So that, that language I believe was just something that was worked on between
myself, the National Guard, and the governor's office, um, I don't know that there's anything particularly uh. Specific or scientific about that. I think it was just the idea was we were focusing on high schools and since, uh, generally all of our high schools include 10th through 12th grades while there are some that are 9th through 12th, uh, we just wanted to make it clear as to who we were applying to
and um you know, that, that may be something we need to look at in the future is would it make sense to, to uh lower that grade level down to 9th grade, uh, I think this was just simply kind of a step in that direction, the
Representative Matthew J. Shepherd
Unverified
11:57
right direction. Thank you Representative Shepherd in general, and from my understanding is I've worked on bills similar to this, um. Larger, uh, school
districts often have multiple campuses for high school and it's quite common to see 10th through 12th in the singular campus as
Representative Matthew J. Shepherd
Unverified
12:13
opposed to, um, and then again some also districts have junior highs which would encompass the 9th grade, so is that your reasonable
Speaker 10
12:21
understanding as well? Yes, sir, that's part of it, uh, and everything that uh that he said is correct to that I would add that uh our recruitable population, uh, you can actually take the ASA and uh and enlist uh into the uh. Army National Guard as a high school junior, so that's primarily when our recruiters uh are in, in the process of working with these individuals
and uh informant of their options and, you know, what their future service opportunities may consist of. Uh, Representative McGruder,
you recognized for your question? I thank Mr.
Representative Jessie McGruder
Unverified
12:57
Chair. Thank you, General, for your service. Uh, I'm,
I'm an educator, uh, and I actually did take my ass bath when I was a junior in school, so I understand what you're trying to do, but with today's education, I'm trying to. My question is how does this look
today, uh, how are you all going to do this in the schools. Uh, you plan on coming in a certain day or. Giving a test during the school day. I'm just wondering what it looks like cause we, we're struggling in education wise, but we do need productive citizens as they come they come from the military, so I just want to know what it looks like in
Speaker 10
13:35
the school. One of our big priorities uh for all of our recruiting teams is to develop a good uh solid network with our educational partners and so, uh, what it
would look like on a school by school basis. We'd still coordinate with the administrators for uh access and, uh, if we're talking about administering the
Speaker 21
13:58
uh ASA uh as an example, uh, you know, we would certainly work with them on, on their calendar to be least disruptive to the curriculum, uh, so that, uh, at
Representative Matthew J. Shepherd
Unverified
14:15
district by district conversation. And I would add to that the bill, um, you know, essentially is providing for the district to provide the same access that they would provide other college recruiters, uh, career recruiters, uh, as, as we know, uh, many school districts, uh, work with their local industries to have recruitment efforts, career nights, things of that nature, and we're saying that they have to provide that same access to the military, but we also are providing a, a minimum though that they have to provide
access. There has To be some access provided and um and so we anticipate that this would be not unlike what is already uh largely done at many schools that it's not an issue as far as having cooperation with the military recruitment efforts, but we anticipate that across the state this would be very similar to what is already taking place, whether it comes to college recruitment or to career recruitment.
Representative Gardner, recognized for a question. Are there any other questions from committee?
No, there's no one speaking or signed up to speak for against bill um it was a late ad, so is there anyone in the audience I'd like
to speak for or against the bill? I see none. Representative Shepard, oh, Representative Gonzalez, your light is still on. Are you? OK, thank you.
Representative Shepherd, you're recognized to close for your bill, uh, thank you, uh, committee. Uh, I'm closed for the bill and we appreciate a good vote. Fantastic. I see a motion to pass from representatives all over the
Representative Matthew J. Shepherd
Unverified
15:51
place, um, uh, any discussion on the motion? I, I would just like to add before we vote, uh, thank you for bringing this
bill forward, uh, general, thank you for your service to our country, um, that's all I have, uh, so. Uh, yes, Representative Hazarenko, you
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
16:05
recognize. Thank you, Mr. Chair, just for the recognition and uh thank you all for this, this bill, great bill, uh, I totally agree, uh, from experience, 1994 grad from Cotter, we did not have uh military. Military was not allowed to come into the school for whatever reason that was. So I really appreciate that, that
you're putting this together. Thank you. Any other
discussion on the motion? OK, all those in favor say aye. All those opposed say nay. Congratulations,
Representative Matthew J. Shepherd
Unverified
16:32
Representative Shepherd. You, your bill is passed, yeah. Thank you. Uh, uh, moving right along, uh, the only the build up for consideration is represent
McGruder's House Bill 1025. Representative McGregor, you're recognized.
Representative Jessie McGruder
Unverified
17:05
Please introduce yourself for the record. Uh, representative Jesse McGruder, District 35, representsritan
County, Arkansas. Uh, after, uh, several conversations with educators across the state, uh, there's a concern, uh, that educators, uh, feel like they're not getting a due service or due processing
and uh education. Uh, every profession starts with an educator, a teachers are very valuable and uh currently we have teachers who are, are in a situation where they serve under, uh, administrators just like we talked about in the last bill, where they're they're not getting a proper at due process. Their concern is that uh when they are in situations that they have no support from the school district, uh, and no protections in regards to them remaining employed. So after conversation with all these educators across the state, I, I came up with the bill of uh fair teacher
dismissal, uh, we, we, we have some situations in schools when teachers uh should be uh dismissed, but at currently over the last couple of years we had no protection. So uh right now I'm trying to get this uh bill in place that doesn't do much. Just says, hey, no physical impact, uh, which is why I'm wearing green today and make sure we, we realize that there is no, no budget concerns on this bill, but it just makes sure that that they go through the proper process when dismissing a teacher. Uh, that's all we're asking for and I, I, I appreciate uh some support, uh, I also have a few people who
have signed up to speak on
the bill. Very good. Thank you for your presentation. Um, are there any questions from committee? Representative
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
18:43
Cozart, recognized. Representative Gruder, can you tell me how
many Teachers have been let go. Uh, without due process since this has taken effect in the learns. Bill How many, how many teachers have lost their jobs or been released
Representative Jessie McGruder
Unverified
19:03
without fair teacher dismissal since the Learns Bill took that away. Uh, no, sir, I, I don't have any data on that information of how many teachers have been dismissed since the Learns Act has came into play. Do you think there are some? Yes, sir.
Speaker 36
19:16
I know there are some, but y'all have no data on how many there are. No, sir. Thank you,
Speaker 38
19:23
Mr. Chair. Thank you, Representative Cozart. Are there any other questions
from committee? OK, seeing none, we have a few,
uh, people from the public signed up, uh, we will recognize Lisa Hargrave? Speak for House Bill 1025. Lisa You may go to the end of the table. I just ask that you uh recognize yourself, introduce yourself for the record. And Representative
Representative Matthew J. Shepherd
Unverified
19:56
Green might need to, yeah, pull that microphone closer to her. Don't break the table, but. I am Lisa Hargrave.
Speaker 41
20:05
Thank you. I want to thank the committee for allowing me to be heard about a matter that has impacted me. The issue is the elimination of fair dismissal brought about by a component contained in the Les Act. I am an early victim of the use or rather misuse. Of the causeless non-renewal. My perspective is conservative. My family and I have been
supportive of Learns and many other conservative issues and candidates supporting them with voice, vote, and finances. I am the elementary principal in a small Arkansas school with approximately 300 students K 6. On Friday, February 7th. Of this year. The superintendent came to my office at the end of the day to inform me that the board had met and told him they were planning to not renew my contract for the upcoming year of 2526.
He said the board gave two specific reasons for having lost confidence in my ability to lead the elementary. He admitted to me and to them that both reasons they gave were actions that were directives from him for me to do. He then told me little could be done because fair dismissal had ended. And suggested that perhaps the best thing for me to do was to turn in my resignation before the February 17th board meeting when principal contracts were scheduled to be renewed.
I can only liken the stress of those 10 days of waiting for that board meeting, waiting for the results of a of a. Health condition that might be termed. I was told that I could neither speak on my behalf, nor even attend the February 17th meeting. I was finally allowed to submit a written appeal, but it's difficult to answer charges that you have never been told. So I could only include things that I knew to be true.
And understand that the board came to this conclusion based on conversations they had had with me about me. With the random people. Out of meeting. Perhaps the most constructive thing I can do is to give you a snapshot. Of an administrator that the school board was determined to non-renew under the Learns Act. I have served in education for 35 years. During that time, there has never been a hint, not one single hint of scandal.
I've never been given a negative evaluation. I have never been reprimanded. I have never been written up. For the last 20 of those 35 years I have served in this school. I have been an administrator in the elementary for 11 years or as assistant and the last 7 is principal. And it's 60 years old, I believe I'm at the top of my game. During my tenure as principal, I have been innovative by training and implementing several programs recommended by the state Department of Education
for the purpose of improving student outcomes such as the professional learning communities at work, acceleration through communities of practice, building student efficacy, collaborative evidence practices for all, just to name a few, and clearly these changes have worked as evidenced by the following fact at the beginning of my principalship my school score. ranked in the lowest in our 14 schools in our co op. On the important end of your state testing. Today
Our scores are among the highest in that 14th school co op and almost every one of them are above state average. From being less than 1 point away. From being a D-rated school in 2018 when I accepted this position as principal. We've risen every year. To the most recent release scores of 2023 where we're less than 1 point away from being a B-rated school. I am anxiously awaiting the new release of the
2024 scores hoping that this will be that increment of a point that we need to attain that B rating. I suppose I will never know the real reasons for the actions. Perhaps it was to install another friend or family member, perhaps it was to satisfy a few disgruntled employees who saw their cushy country club jobs being eroded by an administrator who simply wanted them to be on time. To be where they were supposed to be. And to teach the children.
At any rate, I now see that the non-renewal element of learns is fraught with possibilities of abuse by school boards who are after all merely humans. In the final analysis, the board voted to renew my contract with a 3-2 split. I don't know if it was the final support of my superintendent who admitted to them that I have done everything he has asked me to do. Or whether it was my 5-page appeal that pointed out the cost to me, my reputation and my career.
Or my plea to the board members to do the right thing. Perhaps they were concerned with the firestorm that was likely to hit when I was allowed to speak about what had been done to me, but even though my contract was renewed by this narrow margin. I still very much consider myself a victim of the non-renewal policy of loans to you, the education committee. please move forward in reinstating reasonable portions of fair dismissal. Please include accountability for school districts and school boards
concerning their non-renewal decisions. Accountability that will prevent capricious non-renewals of employees. Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. Are there any questions from committee? Thank you,
Ms. Hargraves. I appreciate your, your thank you very much. Uh, next we have
signed up to speak. House Bill 1020 is Brad Bartels.
Brad Bartels
Unverified
26:34
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good morning, committee. Um, my name is Brad Bartels. I'm the executive director of the Arkansas Education
Speaker 50
26:40
Association. I'm here to speak, uh, for the bill, House Bill 1025, uh, need to know a little bit more about my background, understand where some of this is going to come from, so I'm a long time lawyer. I was a trial lawyer for 25 years and one of the AEA's sister affiliates and in that capacity I represented literally hundreds of teachers in fair dismissal cases and in
non-renewal cases. Um, I also direct the legal services program here for the AEA, uh, and in that capacity. I generally uh direct uh teachers who have problems with their employment that would require legal representation to various lawyers, um, in the Little Rock area, so, um, long time experience with fair dismissal. It's been the law in every state I've worked in. It is not the law in Arkansas. There are a lot of very positive attributes to a fair dismissal law, and I want to share some of
those with you based on my experience, um, first and foremost, having some due process protections in some manner of fair dismissal law, basically honors professional teachers. Uh, these people have spent, uh, time in their education and they have spent literally years in some cases in the classroom dedicating themselves to teaching our children. But there, there's really no safety net to make sure that arbitrary actions aren't taken against uh. Their employment and so by
providing some measure of fair dismissal, you're really honoring the professional level of your teaching core in the state, um, essentially due process protections, they guarantee more objective evaluations of work that a teacher does, because if they know they're being held to a standard, um, of fairness, uh, school administrators are basically compelled to treat evaluations objectively and fair. and that's a really good thing it's a good thing for education.
It's a good thing for our children in the schools, um, obviously a fair dismissal law does provide some measure of public school stability in that you have a teaching force that has some protection from arbitrary dismissal. Um Essentially, if you have a fair dismissal law, you're providing a situation where you have consistent teaching and learning in the schools because teachers are being held to certain standards and if they don't meet those standards, they can be dismissed for cause, for a
number of different criteria that are in this law, um, it also protects good experienced teachers. Um, if teachers know that they have some manner of fairness in regard to how their employment is treated, those teachers are gonna stay. It's going to result in retention in the school district and retention of good teachers is a good thing for the schools and the children in Arkansas, um. It
Speaker 51
29:33
provides benefits for long term retention of teachers.
Speaker 50
29:41
Another thing that it does when those laws are in place to help protect teachers, it basically increases the quality of teacher recruitment because young people know that they can go into an institution of higher education, they can do a teacher preparation program. They know that when they come out they're going to have a certain level of protection and stability in their employment, um, the other thing that due process can do is it can it can actually encourage innovation in the classroom. If teachers aren't worried about
every little thing they're doing, being
Speaker 51
30:15
potentially a a reason to non-renew them or or separate them from employment, it can help them basically take steps in the classroom that are positive for our children, and they can teach in ways that. They know that they're going to be judged and evaluated on fair terms.
Speaker 50
30:36
Um, it it actually this might seem counterintuitive, it actually reduces disciplinary actions against teachers because
they cannot be let go for arbitrary reasons, um, so anyway, the bottom line is there are many, many reasons why due process protections are really good for teachers, really good for our schools, really good for our children, so, uh, the CEAs in support of this bill, and we hope you pass it. Thank you. Any questions from committee?
Representative Gonzalez more than you recognized. Yes, thank you for your
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
31:15
testimony and I was wondering um since Since we do not have this currently. Are you in your in in in your role, have you had any um teachers ask uh for advice related to. The teacher fare dismissal just this year, last year, since we've not had this in place. So I've been a proud resident of Arkansas
Speaker 51
31:37
for 10 months, and in that time I've probably talked to. Uh, maybe upwards of 100
Speaker 50
31:47
teachers who had questions about their employment termination. And sometimes we can help them, but because of the dearth of, of fair fair due process uh laws in the state. We can't always help them even if they have a righteous argument in favor of why they should be retained. I can't tell you this that 2 months before I got here, um, the, the loss of, of some of these rights under the Fair Dismissal Act, including non-renewal resulted. In the loss in a one month period from March to April of
last year when non-renewal notices went out. We lost 531 members in one month. Because they knew that we couldn't do anything about non-renewal. Now at the time there were some district policies in place that provided hearings for non-renewal as well, and so we were able to help some of them in some districts. But the vast majority of school district board policies do not include that kind of protection for teachers and, and since that
initial wave of non-renewals took place. Many school districts, even if they did have a policy, the boards have basically repealed those policies and their policy books and so we can help less and less teachers basically, uh, objectively defend their employment. Representative Beck. Thank you, Mr.
Chair. Ah You know, I, I, I've been on
Representative Rick Beck
Unverified
33:19
education committee for a long time and, and, and, and I recognize and appreciate, we, we increase salaries for teachers because we want to make sure that we could get all the teachers that we possibly could and, and, and, and the what we were told is that the one of the reasons they were leaving was because the pay was not adequate. So, so, so we increased that, that pay and everything. So it shows that there's a shortage, and I do believe there's a shortage of teachers. So, so my question is this, why
do you feel that a teacher, I, I mean, I, I respect our teachers. It's a, it's a hard job and that, but a lot of people have hard jobs and they don't have this extra protection and in the case earlier, the About the principle that was let go, I was sitting here thinking, man, I would like to take that to court, right, because that, you know, that there was nothing there. I mean, you can't just, you know. My, my point is this, the state laws. There are state laws that
protect people from just being, you know, I don't like you, go away, that type of termination. So why do you think it is that teachers, I, I, I do recognize the point that you made. About it gives them more latitude to do different things in the classroom that could help students, but it also gives them more latitude to do things in the classroom. In the case of a bad teacher, that maybe we don't want done in in the classroom and then they're, they're, they're under the shield of this fair dismissal, and, and that would be a problem. I
I, and I know this just sounds horribly negative, and I don't mean it that way because I think the majority of our teachers are great teachers. And, and I think that by doing this, one of the things that we do is we take away local control, you know, the superintendents and, and the school boards are the ones who who need to take a look at at the teachers and we need to give them that control and not take it away from them. So, explain to me why the the laws that protect employment in Arkansas
are not adequate to protect employment for teachers. So
Speaker 51
35:29
there was a there were a lot of questions in that and I'm gonna try to respond to as many as I can. So first of all, I mean, there's no doubt
Speaker 50
35:38
that the increase in teacher salary under loans probably kept the attrition level lower than it might have been, and so, and I know particularly a lot of new teachers were very appreciative of that. Um One of the, one of the things that makes teachers and educators and not just teachers in the classroom, but educational support
professionals, aspiring educators, um, all of the various categories of membership we have. One of the things that makes their jobs different is they are public employees and they are in a very sensitive position and they are the people we trust to basically teach our children, um, and being in that position, um, they're under a great deal more scrutiny than say. potentially an employee in a private company and so they are deserving of an extra level of
protection and as far as, as far as bad teachers being protected by the law. I mean, the law doesn't protect bad teachers. It just makes it, it makes it so those teachers can actually be called out and properly and objectively evaluated and then let go. I mean, I've represented hundreds of teachers. They certainly not all of them deserve to be teachers in the profession. I can tell you that. for sure. Um, most of those teachers where it was clear that they weren't performing at a
Speaker 51
36:52
certain level. We basically counsel a lot of the profession.
If they're clearly not meant to be teachers, then they're not meant to be teachers, and it's pretty clear. I mean, if you ask teachers in a classroom, who are the good teachers, who are the bad teachers, they can tell you who the bad teachers are. Um, so this law actually protects um the teacher workforce by making it possible to give teachers who aren't performing well, at least a measure of due process to measure why they aren't performing well and then move them out of the profession. I mean, that's the way these laws work at their best.
Representative Jessie McGruder
Unverified
37:33
answered your concerns. And, uh, To add to that, uh, The Learns Act, uh, boost the salary for, uh,
starting teachers. As a veteran teacher, I got a $2000 raise on my salary and it stays the same for years to come. So, uh, veteran teachers took that as a, as an insult, uh, also to add to that, uh, this actually puts protections in for teachers who have been employed for about 3
years after your probationary period is over with. So, uh, when you first coming into the profession, uh, we understand there. a lot of mentorship and you may decide that this may not be for you, but you need a lot of uh understanding on how to do this and for veteran teachers, uh, this is why I'm advocating for this veteran teachers teachers need some support. They need to go through the actual process of termination. Uh, yeah, there are uh some districts who abide by the law properly and then you have districts who who go rogue and do whatever they want. That's why the reason we have to
the bill before this because you have districts that kind of just uh Do whatever they feel is necessary, but uh that we need some protection in place for everybody across the state of Arkansas. Follow
Representative Rick Beck
Unverified
38:45
up? Yes, sir. So I, I, I appreciate that that brings up another question, but I want to jump back to this question. So what is different with a
teacher? Who's, as you mentioned, a public. And, and other public professors uh professions that we.
Do they did they need protection, you know, we hire engineers, public, you know, we hire different people in our county courthouses to do different things and they are accountants and so on and so forth, but do they have the same level of protection because they are
Speaker 51
39:18
under the scrutiny of the public. So Representative, I can't speak to the level of due
Speaker 50
39:23
process protection, for example, state employees may have. I mean, I, I can tell you that having a law like this actually it does confer um. power locally. It doesn't take
away from local control, and I, and I think the answer is as far as I know, there are no state employees that interact with children like this. As part of their profession and with that comes interacting with parents. And it's, it's actually, it's a very visible role as a, as a public employee. And, and therefore, I mean sometimes there can be misunderstandings. And if we don't have some kind of way to sort out, you know, what would be cause for
dismissal or cause for discipline from not, then we're really doing a disservice to our teachers and, and, and other educators, um, I, I do think that the loss of fair dismissal just based on my short time here and talking to a lot of members across the state, um, has resulted in. A really low level of morale among the teaching corps, the educator corps in the state. Because they know that they don't have those protections. It's very disturbing.
Speaker 51
40:36
For me as a longtime educator to hear the way they speak about their profession and that they're frightened. They're, they're frightened if they
Speaker 50
40:46
speak out or they try to do anything innovative that basically they're going to be retaliated against by their administrators. Am I saying all administrators are bad? Absolutely not. We have some fantastic administrators in the state just based on my short residence here and talking with people across the state, but there are some that will take advantage. Of the ability to basically
terminate a highly visible public employee for an arbitrary
Speaker 51
41:11
reason or a political reason or or a reason that isn't fair to the teacher, so I hope I answered your question, our
Representative Rick Beck
Unverified
41:20
representative. Yes, but you, you prompt another question. So would you, would you agree and I but, but would you agree though that the school boards are are elected by the people in the school
district. And they pretty much decided the superintendent. Correct. They hire the superintendents and they are
elected. So, so isn't that kind of Local control. I mean, you, you said this, this helps local control. If the school boards due to a multitude of people coming to him and saying that this individual is acting this way or this way, and they, and they, they say, OK, they've looked at all the facts and everything and said this person needs to be dismissed. There's a, there's a danger to the children or something of that nature. I, I, I can't tell who, who that, what those would actually be, but there could be many things. When you say that it's, it's, it would be best to
have them do that. And then, and I'm the same. if, if, if a school board is electing a superintendent that that is saying, well, you know, cousin so and so needs a job, so you're out, right? And if you're doing that, wouldn't you say that that would that that would actually, you know, get. That person does need to go. I mean, not the teacher, but the superintendent he's gone and that's the control of the people who are elected by the local district.
Speaker 51
42:42
You're good at questions. I'll try to answer them as best I
Speaker 50
42:49
quiet, I promise. So so local control issues, it's true that the boards are elected, um, and they are empowered to basically hire the superintendent of the school district. Um, the superintendent similarly has certain statutory duties and one of those duties is to basically hire personnel for the school district. That's one of the things that basically the board gives them the power to do so that is local control over
hiring and firing, um, and I, I don't think it, I don't think it undercuts the, the public's interest in uh And or you know I, I, I don't think that's. By the mere virtue of electing board members. Really is is a way for the public to actually get involved in those things, those, those duties are really given statutorily to the superintendents. So, and that's where the idea of the when the superintendent is making decisions about hiring and firing.
If they know that there is going to be some objective. Measure for a teacher and they know that their evaluations have to be, uh, professional and objective. I think it puts an added An added benefit for the teaching staff and for the children because that teacher is going to be fairly judged on their performance in the classroom. You want one more?
and jump back in later. I do just want
to um Wouldn't you agree? You made a comment in your, in your statement that I think is important that the committee hears there are other roles, state employees specifically that that interact with children, uh, thankfully, I don't see any DCFS DHS, state police that do the child neglect and maltreatment in the room, but I understand the point you were trying to make, but there are a significant number of uh state employees that interact with kids in even higher, more sensitive positions given the scenarios that they're in or not
even to mention Head Start ABC programs, instructors in the So just want to know if the director, wouldn't you agree? Uh, yes,
Speaker 52
44:56
I would thank you and thank you for that rundown. Representative Duke, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Representative Hope Duke
Unverified
45:01
um, pull this a little closer so I'm not leaning so much. There we go. Um, I do
want to thank you all for bringing this bill because I think it gives an opportunity to discuss something and learn that we didn't get to discuss maybe the same degree. Um, so I got a couple of questions if I may have some latitude. Thank you. Uh, my first question is, um,
In regards to some of the instances that were mentioned. could Could the school board members be directly contacted in these situations when the teachers are non-renewed, to be able to discuss what happened. Did they contact the school board members? Individually, obviously, they didn't have a hearing in
my district. The answer is no. They did not, or they,
Representative Jessie McGruder
Unverified
45:41
you, you asked if they could contact the school board members directly. Uh, no, they cannot. They're allowed to speak to them at the meeting, but you cannot reach out to a school board member directly about an incident. What?
public comment. Period. Doing the public comment period, uh, where currently working on a a law to make sure that people actually can speak at school board hearings, but that is subjective upon the superintendent. That's the law in my district. I think
Representative Hope Duke
Unverified
46:06
that would fall on the school board, I would think, on making that decision, not the superintendent on public
comments. OK. Um, so my question on those in particular is my understanding, one of the things that was learns, and I
think some of this falls to um Training the school board
members and administrators have gotten is part of the thing what Lawrence did was allow that conversation to take place between make clarity that the school board members could actually talk to the teachers and that conversation could take place. Public comment period. I don't see any reason why they would not, unfortunately if your district isn't doing that, maybe your board members need to do a little better job of that, but I believe with, um, even if there's not a hearing in place, there are avenues. That's one of the things that I appreciated about Learns and as many of you all know here, I didn't vote.
For it, and I had um it was hard because this was a piece of it that I thought was very important after my time serving on the board. My next question, let me get my glasses back on here. Um, is it correct that school board members cannot discuss the employee situation on why they were renewed, not renewed, or anything that is going on with that employee with their school district. Other than to the public, other than executive session, they either one of you. Yes, ma'am, that's correct. So whatever these circumstances may arise
with any teacher or any employee. School board member does not have the luxury of giving their side or their perspective of the decisions that they made in executive session when they came back out and voted, they don't, they don't get to discuss that. Is that correct? Yes, ma'am. OK, thank you. And then my next question is, After learns. Would you agree that the veil was kind of lifted off the
school boards to where they could have contact and where teachers could have more of a back and forth with school board members and we're more empowered than they were previously when everything did flow strictly through the superintendent, strictly through the hearings where you didn't know anything other than what was presented at the hearing and heard nothing outside of that hearing as a school board member. Would you agree that that address that problem? No, ma'am. OK. Um, I would be, well, I will
leave it at that. I, I would disagree with you on that one. I believe as I commonly said during that process, I think the veil was lifted off school boards with loans. They don't know many of them that has been lifted off, but it has been and with teachers as well. And, um, I would say that um, School teachers are more empowered. To have conversations and let board members know what is going on in their districts, then they ever had been before. And I'm gonna say, would you agree, but
I have a feeling I know where you're gonna land on that one. Thank you. Thank you,
Mr. Chair. Thank you. Um, any other questions from committee Representative Beck. Back in the queue if you'd like. Thank you for your time. Uh, next persons to speak for the
bill would be Julia Taylor. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Ms. Taylor, if you wouldn't mind just recognize yourself for the record.
Speaker 86
49:31
My name is Julia Taylor, um, I'm here to speak as a citizen. If you are having trouble hearing me, I can take off the mask, um. So that you can hear better. Um, I'm a former educator. I'm here to speak for this bill, um, I would ask that you vote
Julia Taylor
Unverified
49:47
for it. Um, I have What I want to say and I have a
Speaker 86
49:57
couple of points that have come up during the discussion.
Um, I'm not a lawyer, um, obviously I'm not a state representative, but I'm pretty familiar with the Learns Act, um. Not as much as 2 years ago. I haven't read, reread it very recently, but I'm pretty sure that the Learns Act. Um, says that there can be no hearings for um. Teachers or staff that are dismissed. Um, they're, they're,
that is, in fact, um, I recently, fairly recently was at a school board where there was a big debate about whether or not they could do that because of the Learns Act and their attorney. Um, rules that no, they, they could not accept hearings under the Lawrence Act. So, there's that. Um And I just want to reiterate what Representative McGruder said. About, um, the $50,000 raise,
that was a great thing for first year teachers, younger teachers, but, um, for older teachers, it was a bit of older veteran teachers is what probably would be a preferred um. Word. Uh, that was a bit of a slap in the face, to be honest, um, because the Lawrence program not only raised the starting salary, it took away the salary steps. So teachers, unless they, you
know, um, thought God and merit pay. Teachers would not receive a raise again in The indefinite future. OK, so not even just like the the yearly step increase. OK, so you're gonna make $50,000 the rest of your teaching life. OK, I have a lot, I'm, as I said, not in the classroom anymore. I have a lot of friends who still are.
I had a friend who had to take a 2nd job. She's taught for 25 years. And is a um not this means anything anymore, but is a national board certified teacher. And she had to take a second job. To be able to afford car insurance for her 16 year old. And she's not a single mom. Pardon me, I get a very dry mouth when I get nervous.
It OK with you, I take this off. OK, so that's the salary. Um. Go to back up a little bit and take you back to when I was in the classroom a really long time ago. We're going back to the 90s when the fair dismissal Act was, uh, still in place. Um And This is relevant. Before, before that comes up. Um, I was once threatened by a principal. I was probably in my
4th year of teaching. She was a first year principal. And things have been pretty rocky at the beginning of the year, um, as far as um parents in the school not being Super accepting, um, And just she came in and made a lot of changes. It was just a, a rocky year. Um, I will not use the language that she used, but it was unbelievable. Um, and she made it clear to me
and several other teachers in a small meeting, she called, um, that she would like to be rid of us. And then the write-ups began, OK. So, um, Again, luckily the write-ups really didn't amount to much because I do did go to work when I was supposed to, and I did my job, um, but I got written up for things like wearing khaki pants on a Friday. Um, which just was declared a casual day, but apparently khaki
pants are not professional enough, um, I got a write-up for a misspelled word on my chalkboard, which tells you how old I am. Um Which, you know, yeah, teachers should not misspell words generally, but We're human, so it's going to occasionally happen. Um Some of you may not love this part of the story, but I was a member of, um, I think it was even classroom teacher
association at the time, um, and We spoke to them. There were some interventions. We made it through the year without anyone being fired, uh, including the principal. And um I transferred to another school the next year. Coming back to the present, but anyway, my point is that I was grateful that that process was in place because her write-ups did not really
Um, add up to what was required of due process. Coming back to more recent years, let's say since the pandemic. I still have many, many friends who are educators. Um, at all levels, uh, high school and elementary and middle. I A lot of it was the pandemic. We can, we can certainly blame some of it on that. Um, but since the Les Act passed in particularly, I have never,
ever seeing teacher morale so low. Yes, things are, it was hard to teach when I was a teacher. Um, but it's 10 times harder now. You all know that. And I think you respect that. But with the Laws Act, teachers really felt that it was a slap in the face. I think I said that before, but I'll say it again. Um
Besides taking away the teacher fare dismissal. I'll just say with that that they weren't really consulted no matter what the Department of Education may say teachers were not consulted before the Laws Act was brought out. Um, I actually tried to find people who had been consulted and couldn't. Um. But Teacher morale is so low. Every, I'm, I'm not exaggerating. Every teacher that I know is in therapy.
And it is because of their job. Now I'm not saying that they're in therapy strictly because of the teacher fair dismissal Act being gone, but they do not feel respected. They do not feel supported. I see you. They doubt feel supported. And And they're leaving. Um, I have
friends who are leaving the classroom who are excellent teachers. Before they're really were able, they can't afford to retire, retire, they're having to get other jobs. So we're losing good teachers. Because of the morale issue. I really feel that the This bill by Representative McGruder would improve teacher morale somewhat. It's not going to fix
all the problems, of course, but I do think that it would help teachers to feel that they are respected in this state and that they are supported in this state, and that would go a long way. I am, I'm an advocate for public education. I'm an advocate for students as well as teachers. I would never advocate for teachers over students, but I do think that when you take care of your teachers, you are going to take care of your students. You're gonna have better teachers, therefore getting good
education to those students. That is all. Thank you.
Thank you for your testimony. Any questions from committee for this witness? Yes, Representative Cozart, you're
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
58:46
recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm not sure where you talk, how long you talk that doesn't really matter, but do you realize that for the last 12 years that this education committee has brought salaries up for teachers. Almost every year.
On a slow basis, I agree that was slow, but it was probably the best we could do with the Things that we had to do and then in um 2002. I'm sorry, 22. I think it was we offered the teachers a pretty good chunk of money, $4000 something dollars and they rejected it, the AEA. Basically, most of the members of that. Had a um
Protest against it, Asa yes sir, I was there at that time was protesting against what AA was offering and we had offered it also so that got pulled back and some other things and then so when the learns came around, there was a lot of things that made that what it was and why it was. We were having teacher retention, uh, problems we were having also problems getting new teachers, so there had to be a way to bring in new teachers. And the money competing against
other states around us was one of the reasons that that's happened, and I, I don't agree with everything about it, and I think we've done a lot since then, but the 2000, uh, the, the $5000 50,000 dollars, and I'm sorry, when in 52 for the teachers are already there, but that didn't stop the school boards from continuing to put that scale up. There's still a scale they can move up. That's that do that, sir, but they don't have the money to do that. Oh yes they do. No, sir. I do not.
Speaker 89
1:00:32
I, I disagree I'm gonna argue with you on your,
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
1:00:40
ma'am. I've worked education and done adequacy for the last 12 years in here and we give them
Speaker 95
1:00:48
money to do that. Well, a lot of um Districts are having
Speaker 86
1:00:53
to lay people off because they can't afford to pay the $50,000 to their teachers. that is supplied by the Learns
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
1:01:00
Act. They get the money directly for that. OK. I'm, I'm I'm just going
Speaker 88
1:01:07
to disagree with you, but on the record.
OK, are there any other questions from committee? I'm seeing none. Thank you, ma'am, for your
Speaker 86
1:01:17
testimony. You're excused. Yeah, you're welcome. Thank you for having me. Please consider voting yes on
this bill. Yes, ma'am. Thank you. So seeing no others, um, uh, signed up to speak for or against the bill, Representative McGruder, you're recognized closure
Representative Jessie McGruder
Unverified
1:01:31
for your bill. And I believe uh somehow we got off subject uh in regards to the salary, but, uh, uh, the concern now is just a fair teacher dismissal Act, uh, I do, uh,
I've said it before, uh, I, I love this job being a legislator. Uh, it is truly a joy. It's one of the best part-time jobs you can get to help pay for a 17 year old's car insurance. Uh, that being said, uh, teachers need to be protected and I'm, and I'm grateful for the legislation that you all have put in place, uh, that allows me to serve. uh, as an educator and be down here as a legislator. Uh, I'm just trying to make sure I advocate for the educators who are, who are suffering because you are passed great legislation here and it doesn't trickle down
to all the districts across the state of Arkansas, uh, I, I could elaborate on the pay, uh, but that is not what this is about. Uh, we want teachers to be protected, uh, we just wanna make sure after their 3 years on the job that they have an option, uh, and for that I, I would appreciate a good vote. Um I also want to make sure to remind you to avail yourself of emotion if
Representative Matthew J. Shepherd
Unverified
1:02:32
you please to. You can motion for your own bill. Oh yeah, motion do you can motion for your own bill. Oh yeah, motion pass. Thank you. Uh, seeing a motion on the table
for do pass, um, is there any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all those in favor say aye. All those opposed say nay. I'm sorry, motion fails. Uh, seeing no business, other business in front of the committee today, we stand adjourned.
Agenda
REGULAR AGENDA
5 minutes recess
hb1689
HB1025 McGruder TO CREATE THE TEACHER FAIR DISMISSAL ACT OF 2025.
HB1545 K. Brown TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS MILITARY CHILD SCHOOL TRANSITIONS ACT OF 2021.
HB1561 Painter TO ESTABLISH THE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROTECTION ACT OF 2025.
HB1571 Ray TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS ADULT DIPLOMA PROGRAM ACT.
HB1598 Brooks TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH A NEW ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS; AND TO REMOVE PUBLIC SCHOOLS FROM SCHOOL RATINGS FOR CERTAIN SCHOOL YEARS.
Documents
| Title | Type | Pages | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agenda — EDUCATION COMMITTEE- HOUSE, Mar 11, 2025 | Agenda | 3 | Official source ↗ |
Speakers
Representative Brit McKenzie Chair
Unverified
Representative Matthew J. Shepherd
Unverified
Speaker 9
Speaker 10
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
Representative Jessie McGruder
Unverified
Speaker 21
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
Speaker 36
Speaker 38
Speaker 41
Brad Bartels
Unverified
Speaker 50
Speaker 51
Representative Rick Beck
Unverified
Chair
Unverified
Speaker 56
Speaker 52
Representative Hope Duke
Unverified
Speaker 86
Julia Taylor
Unverified
Speaker 89
Speaker 95
Speaker 88