February 16, 2011. “Teacher Quality” bill passes Senate Appropriations Subcommittee, “Pension Reform” bill set for public hearing February 18
“We urge you to continue to do as you have done so well this year by listening just a little more and a little longer to the voices of those who will do this work. Given the timeframes in the bill, there is time… then pass a bill that provides our students and our educators the best chance at reaching the goals of this legislation: student success. We need to get this right.” FEA testimony in Senate meeting
“Teacher Quality” bill passes second committee
Today (Tuesday) the “teacher quality” bill—CS 736 sponsored by Sen. Stephen Wise (R-Jacksonville) moved one step closer to the Senate floor when it passed the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee with a single no vote cast by Sen. Paula Dockery (R-Polk). At first, the bill seemed to be cruising towards easy passage, but as questions were posed to the sponsor there was an unease rippling through the committee members.
Sen. Dockery told the panel she had so many unanswered concerns about the bill that she felt uncomfortable allowing the bill to leave the committee in its current form.
FEA pointed out to the committee that, as their own bill analysis states, the total impact now and in the out years, may be hard to gauge, and are indeterminate — but everyone understands that the cost to implement the bill will be large.
Sen. Montford (D-Tallahassee and former Leon County superintendent) called the bill in its present form “unacceptable.” Montford said “we’re putting all our eggs into one basket, and the basket hasn’t even been developed.”
The legislature has been willing to give time to districts in SB 736 – but there is no money attached to this bill. There is no money for developing evaluations systems, creating new tests and not even a nod to helping teachers “needing improvement” to improve. The bill will not add funding for the new performance compensation plan—except to cut or freeze existing salaries. Sarasota School Board member Shirley Brown asked the committee how districts would be able to plan their budgets or staffing when the data and funding they will need to make these decisions will not be available when needed.
The bill now moves to Senate Budget Committee to be heard Wednesday, February 23 at 9:00 am. The House version has not been released but we have been told to expect a committee bill before the first day of session.
You can read the Senate committee substitute bill at: http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2011/0736/BillText/c1/PDF
Reminder: “Pension Reform” hearing this Friday
The retirement (FRS) or so called “pension reform” bill. Senator Jeremy Ring (D-Margate) has scheduled a four-hour hearing for this Friday, February 18 beginning at 8 am to receive public testimony. For more details email Pat.Dix(at)floridaea.org
Questions? Call FEA Public Policy Advocacy at 850.224.2078