S_ED_2020A 02/20/2020 01:35:10 PM Committee Summary

Senator Todd invited the presenters from the Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented (CAGT) to come to the table.  Diana Cahldeira, President of CAGT, Sophia Henry, a gifted and talented high school student, Lisa Webster, representing Summit Advocates for Gifted and Talented, Roger Dowd, past president of CAGT, and Annette Jones, Executive Director of CAGT, came to the table.  A copy of their presentation can be found as Attachment A.

The presenters distributed and reviewed several handouts to the committee (Attachment B) and discussed the relationship between CAGT and the Colorado Department of Education.  Ms. Webster discussed federal and state laws pertaining to Gifted and Talented (GT) students, as well as the challenges and successes of CAGT.  Ms. Henry discussed her experiences with gifted education in her school district.

Ms. Henry answered questions from the committee. Committee members made comments.

Senator Todd invited Mike Feeley, lobbyist for the Colorado State University System (CSU System), to come to the table to introduce the two appointees to the CSU System Board of Governors: Polly Baca and Nathaniel Easley, Jr.  A copy of the Governor's appointment letter can be found as Attachment C.  Mr. Feeley read a prepared statement from Dr. Tony Frank, Chancellor of the CSU System, in support of the two appointees.

Ms. Baca and Dr. Easley told the committee about their personal, educational, and professional backgrounds and about why they would like to be appointed to the board.  The appointees answered questions from the committee.

Senator Todd invited the appointees to the Colorado Student Leaders Institute (COSLI) Executive Board to come to the table.  Oscar Felix and Michelle Tucker took turns telling the committee about their backgrounds and about why they would like to be appointed to the board.  A copy of the Governor's appointment letter can be found as Attachment D.  Skip Thurman, chair of the COSLI board, spoke about the program.  The panel answered questions from the committee.