1. 2017 Georgia Legislative Session
GSSA Bootstrap Spring Conference
April 18 – 19, 2017
Savannah, Georgia
April 14, 2017

2. Highlights of the Session
Passage of the FY17 Amended Budget — early
Passage of the FY18 Budget — in record time
Passage of HB 338 “First Priority Act”
Passage of HB 237 Public Education Innovation Fund Foundation
Passage of ESSA at the Federal level
Not Passing several bills
April 14, 2017

3. FY 18 Budget — HB 44
Total state budget for FY18 is 25 billion dollars.
K-12 education is 39% of the total state budget.
Total state budget including federal funds is 45 billion dollars.
Quality Basic Education (QBE) program is 9.8 billion dollars.
April 14, 2017

4. FY18 Budget — HB 44
Increase of 2% to state base salary schedule, effective September 1, 2017 — $160,105,154.
Increase funds to reflect an adjustment in the employer share of TRS from 14.27% to 16.81% —$177,960,254.
Increase funds for enrollment growth, training and experience (T & E) — $133,300,00.
Increase funds for school nurses — $155,000.
Reduce funds for newly certified math and science teachers — ($361,111)
Increase funds for State Commission Charter School supplement — $9.3 million.
April 14, 2017

5. FY18 Budget — HB 44 Increase charter system grants — $9 million.
Increase funds for school counselors to reflect HB 283 (2013 session) — $445,000.
Increase funds for equalization grants by $85,855,866 to a total of $584,584,902.
The required local five mill share total is $1.7 billion adjusted up by $73,101,650.
April 14, 2017

6. First Priority Act – HB 338
“First Priority Act – Helping Turnaround Schools Put Students First” Provides a system of supports and assistance for the lowest performing schools identified as “in the greatest need of assistance”
April 14, 2017

7. First Priority Act – HB 338
Chief Turnaround Officer, CTO, reports to state board;
Turnaround coaches report to CTO - work with local systems;
Addressing low performing schools as defined by federal data;
Third party evaluation is preferred;
School boards can be removed;
Broad discretion granted to CTO;
Flexibility contracts can be amended (charter/strategic waiver).
April 14, 2017

8. First Priority Act – HB 338
Educational Turnaround Advisory Council - GSSA has seat along with GSBA, PAGE, GAE, PTA & others;
Joint study committee on establishing accreditation process;
Joint study committee establishing a leadership academy;
HB 237 passed to provide some funding - capped at $5 million;
State budget has < $2 million to fund HB 338.
April 14, 2017

9. Innovative Funding — HB 237
HB 237 – Public Education Innovation Fund Foundation
Office of Student Achievement to incorporate foundation;
Income tax credit;
Grants to public schools for the implementation of academic and organizational innovations to improve student achievement;
Priority given to low performing schools;
Tax credit limited to $5 million per tax year;
Sunsets on December 31, 2020.
HB 217 – Would increase the cap on tax credit dollars available to private schools. DID NOT PASS – NO CHANGES
April 14, 2017

10. Student Assessment — SB 211
Assessment Reform for Maximum Flexibility
Reading programs research-based, formative assessment with a summative component for grade one and two;
Outlines a state comprehensive summative assessment program for grades three through twelve;
Each local school system is encouraged to use multiple formative assessments that results in a single summative score;
The SBOE shall have the assessment workgroup to pursue maximum flexibility for state and local assessments under federal law;
The SBOE shall conduct a comparability study to national tests for use in the State Testing Program — such tests as the SAT, ACT, and others. The study is for grades nine through twelve.
April 14, 2017

11. Student Assessment - HB 425
Schools are strongly encouraged to provide for the administration of standardized assessments in paper and pencil format upon parent request.
The State School Superintendent shall develop guidelines, approved by the SBOE and strongly encourage districts to adopt when dealing with students not participating in state-wide assessments.
The bill prohibits punitive action and “sit and stare” policies.
April 14, 2017

12. Implement Recommendations Governor’s Ed Reform Commission Charter Schools - HB 430
Local charter schools shall certify that all data collections are correct, prior to a LBOE submitting the data to the state for funding.
DOE shall implement procedures for the proportionate amount of funds from Federal programs.
LBOE needs to post funds calculations on website.
April 14, 2017

13. Implement Recommendations Governor’s Ed Reform Commission Charter Schools – HB 430
“Unused Facilities”
Real property of the LEA;
Property that has not been used by the LEA in the last two years;
Not included in the LEA’s five-year educational facilities plan;
If denied use, entitled to a hearing and can appeal;
DOE facilities inspection OK. Must fit into land use plan.
April 14, 2017

14. Transparency of Financial Information — HB 139
HB 139 Local school systems and schools provide transparency and accuracy to the greatest extent practicable.
DOE shall make available budget and expenditure information on its website for each school and school system unless specifically made confidential by law;
By January 1, 2018, the SBOE shall develop rules and regulations requiring that each local board of education and state charter school provide financial information. The DOE will provide templates and definitions of financial information needed.
No later than October 31, 2018, the DOE shall publish this information on a prominent location on its website.
April 14, 2017

15. HOPE BILL — SB 186
Students who earn a high school diploma through dual coursework would be eligible to receive the HOPE grant towards an associates degree.
All work completed for any state, national, or industrial occupational certifications for work; or
Two technical college certificates of credit program in one field, and postsecondary/technical ed prerequisites.
Grant will cover up to 30 hours of coursework to obtain an associates degree.
(HB 331 – “Caregiver Ed Consent” bill attached)
April 14, 2017

16. Valedictorians/Salutatorians — HB 268
Relating to the “Move on When Ready Act”
No local schools can exclude a student from eligibility determinations for valedictorian and salutatorian of a participating eligible high school.
The law does not apply to a high school student who moves into the local school system after his or her sophomore year and has not taken any courses on-site of the participating eligible high school.
This bill is amended to SB 186
April 14, 2017

17. Educating Military Children HB 148 and HB 224
HB 148 (Amended to HB 139) “Educating Children of Military Families Act”
DOE is authorized to establish a unique identifier for each student whose parent or guardian is an active military service member or member of a reserve component.
Allows for disaggregation of data.
HB 224 Military students shall be allowed to attend any public school in system.
Student must live in military housing on or off base.
School must have room.
Parents are responsible for transportation.
Annual notification by mail, electronic means, or other.
April 14, 2017

18. Military Spouses — HB 245
The PSC shall adopt a process, no later than July 1, 2018, by which military spouses may qualify for a temporary certificate, certificates of endorsement, or expedited certificates upon moving to Georgia.
April 14, 2017

19. Re-establish Agricultural Education Advisory Commission – HB 437
Sunset for the commission was December 31, 2016;
Commission is composed of twelve members;
Legislative and non-legislative members;
Members serve a two year term;
Director of Ag Ed programs reports annually to the commission;
Commission may recommend bills.
April 14, 2017

20. Human Trafficking Hotline Notice in Government Buildings — SB 104
Requires the posting of officially-worded human trafficking hotline notice in public buildings and requires entity to post link on homepage to the official GBI website notice.
This bill had a number of amendments added.
HB 9/SB 45 — Felony
Prohibits filming under a persons clothing.
April 14, 2017

21. Tax Bills — HB 238 and HB 340
HB 238 – Allows part of property subject to a conservation covenant to be used for solar energy generation.
HB 340 – Was a large revision of taxes on vehicles, but ended to only change tax on leased cars. Expect to see a version next year.
April 14, 2017

22. School Resource Officers — SB 149
Provide for the training requirements for school resource officers
The training for school resource officers consists of a 40 hour course.
At a minimum, the course shall provide training in the role of a peace officer assigned to a school, search and seizure in school, criminal offenses, gang awareness, drug awareness, interviews and interrogation, emergency preparedness, and interpersonal interactions with adolescents, including the encountering of metal health issues.
April 14, 2017

23. Higher Ed Carry Bill — HB 280
Gun Carry Bill Components
Public postsecondary buildings;
Excludes athletic facilities, dorms, fraternity and sororities, day care centers, classes being used for college and career academy classes, dual enrollment programs, and faculty, staff, administrative offices, and any room where discipline hearings are conducted.
Must be a concealed hand gun and must have weapons carry license.
April 14, 2017

24. Senate Resolutions — SR 95
Proposed Amendment to the Constitution
Proceeds of a SPLOST would be divided based on FTE between the county system and an independent school district(s) unless an agreement is reached between the entities. The system with the most FTE calls for the vote.
April 14, 2017

25. Other legislative foolery that did not make it
HB 273 — let’s have recess;
HB 217 — raising tax credits under voucher banner hiding behind false narrative and very little transparency;
SR 192 — let’s dial it back and elect superintendents;
SB 152 — alternative school assignment.
April 14, 2017

26. 2018 Legislative Session Things to Come
Second Session – some bills will reappear;
Tax Reform;
Reform Committee Legislation;
New Funding Formula;
Voucher Legislation;
New Bills That School Districts Cannot Waive;
The Governors Race;
Political Maneuvering.
April 14, 2017

27. Contact GSSA John Zauner, Executive Director
Office
Website:
Follow GSSA on #gssa
Text message: (please identify)
Michael Surma, Legislative Liaison
Phone or Message (please identify)
April 14, 2017

28. Contact GSSA John Zauner, Executive Director
Office
Website:
Follow GSSA on #gssa
Text message: (please identify)
Michael Surma, Legislative Liaison
Phone or Message (please identify)
April 14, 2017

29. From the October data, we have a total of 250,970 people reported from all school systems in Georgia which includes all charter districts and state schools.  Of this number, 1,199 are 3rd party contractors.
April 14, 2017