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I_SFinance_2022A 08/30/2022 12:04:36 PM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
INTERIM COMMITTEE  LEGISLATIVE INTERIM COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL FINANCE
Date 08/30/2022
Attendance
Bridges *
Geitner X
Kipp X
Larson X
Lundeen X
Zenzinger X
Kirkmeyer E
McCluskie X
Time 12:04:36 PM to 03:14:02 PM
Place SCR 357
This Meeting was called to order by McCluskie
This Report was prepared by Katie Ruedebusch
Hearing Items Action Taken
Update on ESSER Funds Committee Discussion Only
Breakout Groups Committee Discussion Only
Review of Breakout Groups and Discussion of Bill Draft Requests Committee Discussion Only
Next Steps Committee Discussion Only

12:04:38 PM

Chair McCluskie called the meeting to order and discussed the agenda.



Update on ESSER Funds - Committee Discussion Only


12:07:10 PM  
Ms. Kate Bartlett,
representing the Colorado Department of Education (CDE), came to the table
to provide an update on ESSER Funds.  Her presentation may be found
in Attachment A and online here:
https://leg.colorado.gov/content/isfinance2022ascheduleandmeetingmaterials
12:13:32 PM  
In response to a
committee questions, she discussed funds that are accessible to certain
entities.  She highlighted ESSER state set asides in certain rounds
of funding.
12:15:01 PM  

Ms. Bartlett continued by discussing additional funds for education including Governor's Emergency Education Relief, COVID Relief Funds for Education, and Emergency Assistance for Non-public Schools.

12:19:26 PM  

Mr. Scott Jones, representing CDE, came to the table to respond to committee questions regarding access to grants and the application process.

12:31:20 PM  

Committee discussion ensued on funding mechanisms and administrative costs.

12:34:16 PM  
Ms. Bartlett continued
by discussing the total ESSER allocation snapshot and spending to date.
12:39:59 PM  

The committee discussed the allowable uses of district ESSER funding.

12:50:36 PM  

In response to a committee question, Ms. Barlett noted that additional money not accounted for may be because the funds are used for an unlisted category or indirect costs.

12:57:25 PM  

Ms. Bartlett continued by discussing bright spots and things to watch for in the process.

01:02:14 PM  

Ms. Bartlett continued by discussing CDE's monitoring and reporting.

01:08:37 PM  
Ms. Bartlett wrapped
up her presentation by noting federal reporting requirements.



Breakout Groups - Committee Discussion Only


01:11:37 PM  
Chair McCluskie explained
that the committee would break into two groups to discuss issues and use
the school finance simulation tool.  The groups met in SCR 357 and
SCR 352.
01:14:16 PM  

The committee recessed.

02:41:17 PM  

The committee came back to order.



Review of Breakout Groups and Discussion of Bill Draft Requests - Committee Discussion Only


02:41:51 PM  

Chair McCluskie called the meeting back to order. Committee members reported on the discussions in the two breakout groups.

02:42:43 PM  
The group in SCR
357 discussed the getting an overall cost of educating a student analysis,
looking at the cost of living from different angles, the cost of doing
business factor, wage index, student-centered approach or building perspective,
and cost of living factor and where it occurs in the formula.  The
group in SCR 352 discussed COLA weight applied in the formula, size factor
and its interaction with the BS factor, replacing the size factor with
the sparsity factor, and taking a look at the impact of COLA if adjusted,
limited, eliminated, or rolled into another factor.  

02:56:44 PM  
Mr. Thomas Rosa,
Legislative Council Staff, came to the table to answer questions about
the school finance simulation tool.
02:57:44 PM  

Committee discussion ensued regarding discussions in the breakout groups. Committee discussion ensued on changes in several factors when replacing, adjusting, or eliminating factors in the school finance formula.

03:02:54 PM  
Ms. Anna Gerstle,
Legislative Council Staff, discussed a handout on FY 2022-23 BEST applications
and approved projects and a handout on preliminary list of state grant
programs administered by CDE.  The handouts are available as Attachment
B and Attachment C.
03:08:00 PM  
Ms. Julie Pelegrin
and Mr. Jacob Baus, Legislative Legal Services, came to the table to discuss
the process for requesting bill drafts.



Next Steps - Committee Discussion Only


03:12:29 PM  

Committee members made some final remarks.


03:14:02 PM   The committee adjourned.






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