S_ED_2020A 03/12/2020 01:35:09 PM Committee Summary

Senator Todd invited the appointees to the Colorado Commission on Higher Education to the table. Ben Boggs, Chief of Staff, Colorado Department of Higher Education, introduced Eric Tucker, Charlotte "Charley" Olena, and Steven Trujillo. A copy of the Governor's appointment letter can be found as Attachment A. The appointees took turns telling the committee about themselves and about why they would like to be appointed to the commission.

The appointees answered questions from the committee.

Senator Zenzinger, sponsor, presented House Bill 20-1128, which concerns education requirements for educators to increase awareness of special education issues. She distributed amendment L.004 (Attachment B).

Jennifer Iverson, representing herself as a parent, spoke in support of the bill.

Ms. Iverson read written testimony in support of the bill from Nara Altman, who represented herself as a parent.

Cali Nichols, representing Colorado Kids Identified with Dyslexia (COKID), spoke in support of the bill.

Amy Dubronyi, representing COKID, spoke in support of the bill.

The panel answered questions from the committee.

Ms. Iverson read written testimony in support of the bill from Jayma Wessling, who represented herself as a parent.

Krista Spurgin, representing Stand for Children, spoke in support of the bill.

Nate Golich, representing the Colorado Education Association, spoke in support of the bill.

Cristiano Sosa, Executive Director of the Arc of Colorado, spoke in support of the bill and amendment L.004 (Attachment B).

Robert Frantum-Allen, Director of Special Education for Denver Public Schools, spoke in support of the bill.

Senator Zenzinger answered questions from the committee.

Senators Ginal and Coram, co-sponsors, presented House Bill 20-1032, which concerns the timing of education standards review.

The following people testified on the bill:

Kevin Vick, representing the Colorado Education Association, spoke in support of the bill.

Ben Lausten, Coordinator of Curriculum and Professional Development for Summit County School District, spoke in support of the bill. He distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment C).

The co-sponsors gave closing comments on the bill.

The committee took up House Bill 20-1301, sponsored by Senator Sonnenberg, which concerns electronic attendance in meetings of school district boards of education.

Tim Taplin, representing the Ridgway School Board, spoke in support of the bill.

Matt Cook, representing the Colorado Association of School Boards, spoke in support of the bill.

Michelle Murphy, representing the Rural Schools Alliance, spoke in support of the bill.