S_ED_2019A 04/04/2019 01:34:39 PM Committee Summary

Senator Todd invited the appointee and reappointees to the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) Board of Trustees to the table: Stephen Jordan, Janice Sinden, and Richard Monfort.  Andrew Feinstein, President of UNC, introduced the appointee and reappointees.  A copy of the Governor's appointment letter can be found as Attachment A.  Ms. Sinden, Mr. Monfort, and Mr. Jordan spoke about their backgrounds and about why they would like to serve on the board.

Senator Todd invited the appointees and reappointee to the Board of Trustees for Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU) to the table. The Governor's appointment letter can be found as Attachment B. David Fine, current member of the MSU board, introduced Barbara Grogan, Russell Noles, and Marissa Molina. The appointees took turns telling the committee about themselves and about why they would like to serve on the board.

The panel answered questions from the committee.

Greg Salsbury, President of Western State Colorado University (Western) and Christrian Blees, Chair of the Board of Trustees for Western, introduced the appointee and reappointee to the board: James Pribyl and Erich Ferchau.  A copy of the Governor's appointment letter can be found as Attachment D.  The appointee and reappointee told the committee about themselves and about why they would like to serve on the board.

Senator Donovan, sponsor, presented House Bill 19-1178, concerning the name simplification of Western State Colorado University (Western) to Western Colorado University.  

The following people testified on the bill:

Greg Salsbury, President of Western, spoke in support of the bill.

Bailey Salsbury, representing herself as a student at Western, spoke in support of the bill.

Erik Olsen, representing himself as a student at Western, spoke in support of the bill.

Christian Blees, Chairman of the Western Board of Trustees, spoke in support of the bill.

The following people testified on the bill:

Dr. Irene Aguilar, representing herself, spoke in support of the bill.  Dr. Aguilar answered questions from the committee.

John Burd, representing himself as the coordinator of PEP conferences in Colorado, spoke in support of the bill.

Cynthia Burd, representing herself as a PEP participant, spoke in support of the bill.

Nick Burd, representing himself, spoke in support of the bill.

Jim Brennan, representing himself as a parent of a child with a disability, spoke in support of the bill.

Sarah Metsch, representing herself, spoke in support of the bill.

Tim Krug, representing himself as a parent, spoke in support of the bill. He distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment F).

Allison Butler, representing Disability Law Colorado, spoke in support of the bill.

Linda Badwan, representing herself as a parent, spoke in support of the bill.

Leslie Benson, representing herself as a parent, spoke in support of the bill.

Alice Brouherd, representing herself as a parent, spoke in support of the bill.

Julie Schleusener, representing herself as a parent, spoke in support of the bill.  She distributed several handouts to the committee (Attachments G, H, and I).

Kiki McGough, representing herself as a PEP coordinator, spoke in support of the bill.

Senator Rodriguez explained amendment L.003 and provided closing comments on the bill.

Dr. Aguilar came back to the table to provide comments on amendment L.003.

Senator Todd and Senator Rankin, co-sponsors, presented Senate Bill 19-190, concerning measures to increase the number of individuals who are well-prepared to teach in public schools and creating the "Growing Great Teachers Act." The co-sponsors provided opening comments on the bill and distributed amendment L.001 (Attachment J).

The following person testified on the bill:

Abby Vining, representing the Public Education Business Coalition, spoke in support of the bill.

Senator Todd explained amendment L.001. Committee discussion ensued. Senator Lundeen distributed and explained amendment L.002 (Attachment K), which amends amendment L.001.

The committee continued to discuss the amendments.