Meeting Minutes, Janurary 20, 2010

ELPC Co-President, Sally Harrell welcomed principals and administrators and acknowledged the presences of Brad Bryant, GA State Board of Educators, Fourth Congressional District

http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/pea_board.aspx?PageReq=PEAB...

Ms. Harrell then thanked the host school, Evansdale Elementary and Principal McGuire. She introduced each legislator. She noted that each would have time for a brief update which would be followed by questions and answers.

Ms. Knighten began by reviewing the DCSS 2010 Legislative Agenda which was distributed via brochure (attached) and is available on-line:

http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/support/government/files...

Representative Benfield began by acknowledging Sally Harrell’s former service in the GA House of Representatives, her longstanding community advocacy with recent success with school recess. She described the current educational funding as in crisis mode due to the reduced state contribution (from 60% in the 90’s to <50% now). She noted that declining property values were an added threat at the county level. Rep. Benfield discussed considerations such as teacher pay shifting to pay-for-performance. Rep. Benfield noted constituent concerns such as eliminating CRCT testing in 1st and 2nd grade, healthier school lunch including farm-to-school programs and early kindergarten for gifted preschoolers. Current bills noted with concern by Rep. Benfield included:

* SB 301 which proposed raising dropout rate from 16 to 17 http://w.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2009_10/sum/sb301.h... .
* HB 615 which proposes allowing concealed weapons holders to bring weapons to school http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2009_10/sum/hb615....

Rep. Benfield noted the work of GA Parents for Responsible Health Education http://www.gprhe.org/ as well as efforts to expand bullying interventions which she noted were included in DCSS http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/administration/studentre... . She reiterated her commitment to gender equity in funding.

Rep. Miller serves as the Vice Chair of Ed Committee in House and formerly attended ELPC meetings. He encouraged all who could to view GA DOE, Superintendant Cox’s budget presentation later in the day. Rep. Miller continued the discussion of the funding crisis with additional information that 90% of the state education funds support salaries. While he was concerned about teacher furloughs, he was heartened that teacher positions were retained. He discussed the possibility of loosening the classroom size restrictions to allow for more local control of allocating resources as well as the possibility of removing excessive testing. He concurred with Rep. Benfield about the need for curriculum improvement to retain students and highlighted success at Grady High School. Furthermore, Rep. Miller noted that GA technical colleges were hidden state jewels in the current recession. He noted the need for improved transportation in order to attract business to GA which would ultimately enhance future education funding.

Rep. Levitas acknowledged the strength of ELPC with the leadership of Sally and Marshall. He noted the upcoming visit by GA DOE Superintendant Cox to the ELPC’s host school, Evansdale Elementary for Bronze Level Highest Achievement under Georgia’s Single Statewide Accountability System (SSAS), which awards schools based on their performance on state curriculum exams and Adequate Yearly Progress status (2008-2009).

Rep. Levitas stated that he opposed program cuts. He addressed the need for a proactive process to address ethical matters and has authored HB 888, DeKalb School Board Transparency Act http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2009_10/fulltext/... . He expressed concern that the DCSS, Board of Education, tabled discussion of an ethics package. He noted SB 84 with a potential to create a state-wide ethics package to ensure the appropriate stewardship of tax dollars http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/search/sb84.ht... .

Sen. Weber sponsored SB 84 and noted that he was in his 6th year of senate service and in his 4th year of service as Education and Youth Chairman. He noted that his wife has served in the DeKalb County School System for 31 years and that their children are 4th and 7th grade DCSS students.

Sen. Weber elaborated on education funding noting that last year’s 3% cut is likely to be repeated this year. He stated that the current situation was alleviated by the availability of Stimulus Funds that were filling deficits. He expressed concern about the education funding crisis with a prolonged recession.

Sen. Weber discussed spending per pupil in the Metro Atlanta area noting the following descending order: City of Atlanta, City of Decatur, DeKalb, and Gwinnett. He advocated for more local flexibility during this financial crisis. He mentioned alternatives such as charter schools (e.g. City Schools of Decatur & Marietta) with increased local control and student achievement. He noted that DeKalb has joined a law suit to challenge the concept that funding follows a student. He expressed support for increased local control and charter schools

He noted that GA (22 districts supporting) is applying for federal dollars within the Race to the Top Program in order to improve student performance. He stated that teacher pay-for-performance is incorporated into this program such that funding shifts to reward improved student achievement instead of teacher credentials. While Sen. Weber noted some implementation concerns, he agreed with the concepts. Sen. Weber noted strong support from the GA BOE Board for a strong ethics governance bill and was optimistic of such a bill’s passage through the House and Senate with enactment by the governor.

Q & A Session:

Q: Please provide additional information about education funding controversy.

A: Resource http://www.casfg.org/data/ Georgia School Funding Association is resource.

Q: Comment from audience, please be aware of a local resource “Better Brains for Babies” http://www.bbbgeorgia.org/.

Q: Provide additional information on teacher pay-for-performance issues.

A: Rep. Miller noted that GA has highest paid teachers in the nation. He and Sen. Weber concurred that allocating resources for leadership degrees that may be underutilized was unwise during a recession and in light of academic underachievement.

Q: Clarify parents’ role in curriculum and testing requirements.

A: Testing requirements were implemented 10 years ago and re-examining requirements at this time was warranted and was under consideration by Superintendant Cox and the legislature. Rep. Miller specifically supported a shift to nationally normed testing such as the Iowa Test of Basic Skills and using such as a performance benchmark.

Q: Where would pay-for-performance funding come from?

A: Sen. Weber noted that such funding was potentially available within the Race to Top Federal Program and which other states were enacting. The noted the Southern Regional Education Board as a nationally recognized resource http://www.sreb.org/ . He discussed the possibility of raising property taxes to increase local funding and advocated approaching local school board members about this matter.

ELPC Co-Presidents thanked all for attendance and participation while re-iterating thanks to Principal McGuire and Evansdale Elementary for hosting. They invited all to the upcoming ELPC meetings:

2/17/2010 Multiculturalism: Pleasantdale Elementary

3695 Northlake Drive
Doraville, Georgia 30340
Information: 678-874-3500 678-874-3500
Main Number: 678-874-3502 678-874-3502

3/17/2010 Charter Schools: Fernbank Elementary

157 Heaton Park Drive

Atlanta GA 30307

678.874.9302

All meetings begin with refreshments at 8:45 and run from 9:15 to 10:30.

To receive information from council, please send an e-mail to EmoryLavistaParentCouncil@gmail.com

Respectfully Submitted,

Susan M. Furman

Recording Secretary

smfurman4@comcast.net