Legislative Concerns

House Bill 1812 began as a legal settlement bill. It changed the standard for determining when a student who resides with a person other than the student’s parents will be treated as having a legal settlement in the school corporation attendance area where the child resides rather than the school corporation attendance area where the parent resides in cases where the child is relocated for the purpose of attending a particular school.

Yesterday, an amendment to the bill was added on second reading without an opportunity for testimony. It requires each governing body of a school corporation to adopt and implement a school uniform policy. Each district must designate a school uniform students must wear at reasonable times when attending school. It says that if a student qualifies for free and reduced lunch that the uniforms will be provided at no expense.

House Bill 1812 as it now reads is an unfunded mandate. Uniforms have no impact on student achievement. The report given at last night’s board meeting is local proof that high achievement is not the result of wearing uniforms.

We ask that you please write or communicate with representative Heim, your opposition to this bill. When dollars are in short supply, diverting money for the purchase of uniforms is not a wise use of resources.

House Bill 1009, the voucher bill, passed out of the House Ways and Means Committee yesterday morning. As is written, we ask that you contact your legislator to oppose the bill when funding for public schools is at such a low level. It is not a good time to direct dollars that could be dedicated to public school funding formula, away from public schools.

The dollars will go to private schools even if the private school never demonstrates attainment under No Child Left Behind and Public Law 221. The fiscal impact for the three-year period defined is substantial, 11.4 million dollars will be diverted in 2007, 17.1 million dollars in 2008, and 63 million dollars in 2009.

The funding source for this money was changed from direct school revenue to the state’s general fund. The state’s general fund provides revenue for public schools, Medicaid, corrections, and any other item within state budget. Please contact representative Heim and ask that he oppose House Bill 1009.

There are several bills that are being proposed in the legislature that appear to be designed to undermine public schools. We believe in public schools. They are the foundation of our democracy. For those of you who have read the 911 Commission Report, you will find a recommendation for the establishment of a system of public schools in Iraq to help rebuild that country as a democratic state.

In Plymouth we have staff that are dedicated and exert a great amount of energy to assist students and expect high achievement. We are proud to be members of the staff of the public school system. We know many of our graduates have been highly successful. We are also committed to continuous improvement.

Please communicate your opposition to attempts to negate the good work that has been done.