The Senate Education Committee met Monday to hear House Transportation Chair and
HB 338 sponsor Kevin Tanner (R-Dawsonville), describe his legislation, targeted at turning around low performing schools. From the outset, Senate Ed Chair Lindsey Tippins (R-Marietta), explained that Monday's meeting was hearing only, and that no vote would be taken.
Tanner opened his presentation by contrasting his legislation with the failed Opportunity School District amendment, and describing the feedback he has received and incorporated from education stakeholders. Questions from committee members followed.
Below is a summary of the question and answer exchange between Tanner and members of the committee.
Senator Q: What costs are associated with the plan?
Tanner A: Not much this year. Governor will identify funds. It will take until next year to get this up and running if the bill passes.
Senator Q: How are schools identified?
Tanner A: There is room for debate and improvement regarding how schools are identified, and some of that debate is beyond the scope of HB 338.
Senator Q: Why does the Chief Turnaround Officer (CTO) answer to the SBOE instead of the State Superintendent?
Tanner A: I want this person to have a very short, clear job description and laser focus only on low performing schools. The power base at GADOE is the SBOE. There needs to be a very transparent CTO hiring process and identification of someone who has expertise in turning around failing schools.
Senator Q: Will the turnaround coaches live in ATL or reside near the school?
Tanner A: No, we would anticipate they would be geographically located near the school, though there is no requirement that they reside in that area.
Senator Q: At what point does this program end?
Tanner A: That is a good question, and that is why HB 338 contains a requirement that the General Assembly receive a report on its progress annually. That is also why individuals hired to assist with turnaround work will work directly for the state, not third parties, because we need this program to be sustainable. Twenty years from now, we are going to have chronically failing schools, and I do not think we are going to find anybody to dispute that. That is the reality.
At the conclusion of questions and answers, State School Superintendent Richard Woods addressed the committee and thanked Chairman Tanner for making some of the changes Woods suggested when the legislation moved through the House. However, Superintendent Woods stressed his continued concern regarding the Chief Turnaround Officer and maintained his position (which PAGE shares) that the CTO needs to be fully incorporated into the structure at GaDOE so that GaDOE can fully support the CTO'S work. In parting, Woods assured legislators that GAODE is not wasting time and said "it is a shame that we will go back and reset that which we are currently doing."
At the conclusion of the meeting, Chairman Lindsey Tippins (R-Marietta) indicated that persons who signed up to testify at Monday's meeting would be given opportunity to do so at the next meeting of the committee, expected this Friday, March 10, 2017.