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Minutes for HB2224 - Committee on Education
Short Title
Increasing the number of school days and hours that must be provided by school districts for each school year.
Minutes Content for Wed, Feb 15, 2023
Chairman Thomas opened the hearing on HB2224.
Revisor Jason Long gave an overview of the bill. (Attachment 12)
Proponent (Oral)
Representative Rhiley explained his bill; inviting people to look at the information he provided. He noted that in days long past there were more school days provided for students to learn. Slowly the days spent in school were eroded and he is adding back nine days. He is adding time for parent teacher conferences and in service days. There has always been a focus on the minimum of days. He encouraged the Committee to access Kansas State Department of Education website information that shows how much time each school building spends in instruction. The Representative believes more time spent in academics would help students be more successful. The school board is always setting the minimum. If there could be an increase in time spent in class with students, it would mean some more in terms of salaries for teachers, but beginning with the end in mind, school is for students to become educated members of society. School boards could increase their contact time. There are fixed costs, for instance administrators, custodians, staff, which will not change; teachers however need more contact with the students. He urged the Committee to consider this bill. (Attachment 13)
Opponents (Oral)
Leah Fliter, Kansas Association of School Boards, appears in opposition and notes that the Kansas State Board of Education has the charge to set up the time required for school. (Attachment 14)
Lauren Tice Miller, Kansas National Education of Association, stands in opposition, based on their understanding that school boards have the ability to set the time. This proposed legislation eliminates local board authority and serves ultimately as a mandate for a year round school calendar. (Attachment 15)
Jim Karleskint, United School Administrators of Kansas, noted his organization cannot support this bill because it is an unfunded mandate. If there is an intent to go to a full year school schedule, perhaps it could be a pilot program. The costs will be significant. There has been much conversation about student achievement, and it needs to be improved, but more time is not necessarily the answer. (Attachment 16)
Opponents (Written Only)
Jason LaRue, President of the Rolla School Board (Attachment 17)
Ron Hobert, President of American Federation of Teachers (Attachment 18)
Patty Jurich, President of PTA Kansas (Attachment 19)
There was a discussion between the conferees and Representatives.
The Chairman closed the hearing on HB2224.
