What’s churning:
Gov. John Hickenlooper “started the conversation,” as he put it, on 2011-12 education funding Feb. 15 when he proposed K-12 cuts of $332 million and a higher education trim of $36 million.
The Joint Budget Committee formally joins the discussion this Thursday, when it holds what’s called “figure setting” for the departments of education and higher education.
Figure setting is the dreaded annual ritual at which committee staff analysts present detailed recommendations for a department’s budget and committee members react to them. While Thursday’s session will by no means be the last word on education spending for next year, it may provide some indications of what committee members are thinking.
Staff analysts also prepare detailed documents for the initial department budget briefings held in November and December. Here’s the CDE briefing paper, and here’s the analysis for DHE.
Click here for the full statehouse calendar.
What’s on tap:
MONDAY
Denver school board members have scheduled a noon meeting to talk about the state’s open records and open meetings laws while the board’s Finance and Audit subcommittee will meet from 4:30 to 6 p.m., in part to continue discussion of the future of the controversial 2008 pension refinancing. Both meetings are at district headquarters, 900 Grant St. Click here for agendas. In case you missed it, here’s a 39-page update on the pension plan provided last month to board members.
TUESDAY
Aurora school board executive session to discuss the budget and negotiations with employees, 5 to 6 p.m. at the Professional Learning Conference Center, 15771 E. 1st Ave., followed by a board workshop from 6 to 8 p.m. to discuss community engagement, the superintendent’s evaluation and more. Agenda.
The Boulder Valley school board meets at 6 p.m. 6500 Arapahoe St., Boulder. Agenda.
Jefferson County officials have scheduled a panel discussion titled Standing Together for Jeffco’s Future – Economics & Education at 6:30 p.m. at the Lakewood High School auditorium, 9700 West Eighth Avenue. Carol Hedges, a director of the Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute, will provide “insight into the fairness, efficiency and adequacy of spending and taxation in Colorado” and panelists will include former Sen. Norma Anderson, R- Lakewood, who became expert in education funding during a 19-year legislative career.
WEDNESDAY
Douglas County school board members have scheduled a special meeting to begin at 7 p.m. at the district’s administration building in Castle Rock, 620 Wilcox St. The agenda isn’t yet available but district leaders have said they would schedule a special meeting on district choice options, including vouchers, this week. Click here to check the agenda when posted.
The State Board of Education starts two days of meeting in the boardroom of the Department of Education, 201 E. Colfax Ave. at 9 a.m. Meeting highlights Wednesday include two charter school appeals, a hearing on a proposed regulation to require district notification of parents when staff members are arrested and the innovation application from the Kit Carson district. Agenda.
The St. Vrain Valley school board convenes at 7 p.m. at the Educational Services Center, 395 South Pratt Parkway, Longmont.
THURSDAY
Jefferson County school board holds an executive session on employee negotiations at 7 p.m., 1829 Denver West Drive, Bldg. 27, Golden.
FRIDAY
The State Council for Educator Effectiveness meets from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Colorado Children’s Campaign, 1580 Lincoln St.
Good reads from elsewhere:
Teacher layoffs: Lawsuit in Los Angeles could have broad implications elsewhere for ‘last in, first out’ policies. New York Times.
Mayoral control: No evidence it lead to better test scores in Washington, D.C., report finds. Washington Post.
Time on task: Schools weigh the benefits of more time in the classroom. Los Angeles Times.