Rep. Ferguson Calls Education Mandate Relief Bill Progress for Cash-Strapped School Districts

 

State Rep. Michael Ferguson (R-138), a member of the General Assembly’s Education Committee,expressed optimism for local schools after the Education Committee voted to pass a bipartisan bill to provide school districts significant relief from costly and time-consuming state mandates.  The bill, HB 7276, will be voted on by the full Assembly later in this session.

“Now that the mismanagement of Connecticut’s finances has officially put towns, school districts, and taxpayers in jeopardy of bearing the enormous cost of fixing it, mandate relief is more important than ever,” said Rep. Ferguson.  “It was encouraging to learn that an increasing number of legislators understand the seriousness of our budget situation and are embracing mandate relief for cities and towns so they are not buried.  The Education Committee worked diligently to produce a genuinely bipartisan bill that will benefit all district and most importantly, all students.”

Rep. Ferguson highlighted the recommendations he and other committee members received from superintendents, administrators, teachers, Board of Education members, parents, and advocates in crafting HB 7276.

Among the bill’s provisions include eliminating the requirement for school districts to adopt a regional calendar; requiring the state to implement a study to see what digital school management and report software systems districts use and how best to move forward with a universal system; allowing districts to decide how they provide education to expelled students; and allowing districts to focus training in procedures for dealing with highly sensitive behavioral issues on staff who have direct contact with students.

“In my experience on the Danbury Board of Education, I have found that no matter where they fall on the political spectrum school districts and town officials cite mandate relief as one of the most helpful measures the legislature could provide them in this challenging economic climate,” said Rep. Ferguson.  “Listening to local education advocates and policymakers clarified how mandate relief could lead to important savings of time and money for our districts and towns.  I feel confident that this bill would allow educators to focus even more energy on providing the best possible education and services for students.” 

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Submitted by Danbury, CT

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