Dr. Simmons provided the Board an update on the status of legislation that will impact the school system. He noted that there was less than a week left in this legistative session which ends on April 8.
Bills Passed and Awaiting Governor's Signature
HB291 - Increases public bidding threshold from $50,000 to $100,000. Also, new schools built on new property will require a public hearing.
HB386 - Allows for flexibility the breakfast program; enables 'grab and go' meals for secondasry students, rather than restricting them to the classroom. Dr. Simmons noted this is very helpful for large schools like NCHS.
HB204 - Requires mental health training for athletic coaches.
SB1115 - Transparency in Education Spending Act's impact on a school system depends upon the amount of funding provided by their local government. This will not require much change for CCPS because of our wealth structure.
Bill Monitoring
SB161/HB200 - Community Schools - Would provide an alteration that would assist with the overhead costs of administering the Concentration of Poverty Grant that funds our three Community Schools. Unfortunately, the bill did not pass.
HB1441 - The PreK Expansion Grant expires next year. This would extend the grant as we continue to meet the Early Childhood Education requirements of the Blueprint.
HB1082 - Funding for the Blueprint Implementation Coordinator beyond this year.
SB1102/HB1446 - This bill acts as a catch-all to the needs of the Blueprint, with adjustments the school districts asked of MSDE and the AIB.
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