Rose standards discussion in House Ed Committee
The House Education Committee held an informative meeting with incoming Commissioner of Education Randy Watson and Brad Neuenswander on the Rose Standards (often called the Rose Capacities). Much of the discussion centered on assessments in general and what might be ways in which one can determine that the schools are successful in instilling the Rose Standards in students. This discussion was held preliminary to a hearing tomorrow on a bill from the Efficiency Commission that would create a commission to determine how to measure the Rose Standards.
PNA bill introduced in Senate Ed Committee
A bill modifying the professional negotiations act in accordance to changes agreed upon by KNEA, KASB, USA/KS, and KSSA has been introduced in the Senate Education Committee at the request of the four organizations. Senators seemed genuinely pleased that the organizations had crafted a set of recommended changes that would make collective bargaining more efficient, more effective, and more focused.
Meanwhile in the House Education Committee, there is a hearing scheduled on HB 2034 on Wednesday. This is the bill from the Efficiency Commission’s minority report. The Commission as a whole opted to make no recommendations on collective bargaining pending the outcome of the talks among the four organizations. A minority of Commission members (Dave Trabert, Mike O’Neal, Sam Williams, and Dennis DePew) decided to press the issue in their report because they lacked confidence in the organizations. During the upcoming hearing, KNEA, KASB, USA/KS, and KSSA will testify in opposition to HB 2034 and ask the committee to instead consider introducing the same bill that is now in the Senate committee. Pensions on working after retirement
