Parent Trigger Fizzles

HB 123, commonly referred to as the “Parent Trigger Act,” failed to pass a Senate Ed Subcommittee today when the subcommittee lost its quorum and was unable to vote on the bill. A new controversial version of the legislation discussed in subcommittee today changes the name of the bill from the “Parent and Teacher Empowerment Act” to the “Parent Empowerment Act.” Accordingly, a provision of the bill allowing teachers to petition their local school board to adopt a school turn around model was taken out of the bill today. Senator Fran Millar (R-Dunwoody) sponsored the Senate version of the bill removing educators and explained at the meeting that he did so because Parent Trigger legislation from other states doesn’t include educators and because he fears educators might suffer retaliation if they petition their employers to adopt a turnaround model (even though the original legislation contemplated this possibility and allowed educators to vote on a turn around by secret ballot).   

The subcommittee did pass troubling legislation, HB 70 sponsored by Rep. Rich Golick (R-Smyrna), regarding Georgia’s special needs voucher program. The bill allows the State Board of Education to waive the requirement that a student with special needs attend public school for at least a year before becoming eligible for a private school voucher. Students with special medical needs could bypass the attendance requirement, subject to approval by the SBOE. HB 70 will next be heard in the full Senate Ed Committee.  

What Could GA Public Schools Do with an Extra $15 Million Dollars Annually?

 In a very disappointing though not unexpected move, a House Ways and Means Subcommittee passed a version of SB 243, sponsored by Charlie Bethel (R-Dalton), that PAGE opposes. SB 243 started out as a bill adding much-needed transparency to Georgia’s tuition tax credit program. The program allows Georgians to receive tax credits in return for donations to student scholarship organizations that award private school vouchers.

Under current law, the tuition tax credit program funnels $50 million a year away from public coffers in the form of private school vouchers—with little accountability to ensure that the money is spent effectively. SB 243 adds some degree of fiscal transparency to the program, but the new version of the bill funnels an additional $15 million dollars annually to the controversial program.

Many public education supporters are left wondering how Georgia can afford this move at a time when the state is not funding a full school year. Educators, parents, and taxpayers should contact their House and Senate members now to oppose the $15 million addition to SB 243. Use your home address to access the contact info for your House and Senate member. You might tell them how you think $15 million could be better spent improving public education in your community.  Educators should always follow the best practices outlined by PAGE regarding contact with legislators--use your personal email account, and refrain from contacting legislators during instructional time and from any school computer or phone.     

Subcommittee Considers Bullying and New School Systems

A House Education Subcommittee met today to hear testimony on two pieces of legislation. No vote was taken, but the legislation will be eligible to continue moving through the legislative process next Session. The bills include:

HR 486 would allow for the creation of new city school systems. Several supporters from the Dunwoody area spoke in favor of the bill this afternoon.

HB 429 seeks to expand bullying reporting and would allow middle and high school bullies to be charged with a misdemeanor upon third conviction.

WATCH “Legislative Week in Review” for more on education-related issues at the Capitol

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