Legislative Briefs
Superintendent contracts
What it does: This bill would provide some basic statutory employment protections for superintendents who are following federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations. It would require both the superintendent and board to agree on the inclusion of a “no cause” termination clause and would require a minimum of a 12-month notice for a “no cause” termination. This bill is supported by OSBA and COSA.
What’s next: The Senate Education Committee has scheduled a public hearing and possible work session on Thursday, Feb. 3.
Elliott State Forest
What it does: The Elliott State Forest is held in trust as part of the Common School Fund. It has been at the center of passionate conversations for many years, with growing tension between the forest’s historical responsibility to fund public schools and the potential to provide benefits beyond harvest revenue. This bill would establish the Elliott State Forest as the Elliott State Research Forest under the authority of the State Land Board. The board hopes to transition the land into a public forest that will continue to contribute to conservation, recreation, education, local economies and more as a research forest. The Legislature previously allocated $100 million for this transition. This bill would deliver an additional $120 million to the Common School Fund in exchange for the forest, completing the transaction and bringing the total allocation to the forest's full valuation.
What’s next: The Senate Natural Resources and Wildfire Recovery Committee has scheduled a public hearing on Thursday, Feb. 3.
School leadership training
What it does: HB 4029 bill would require all school boards and superintendents to complete a board self-assessment every two years to identify their professional learning and training needs and to implement a two-year plan for professional learning that is focused on educational equity and collaborative governance. The bill would also require all new board members and prospective chairs and vice chairs to complete additional training relevant to their new roles. This bill is supported by OSBA and COSA.
What’s next: The House Education Committee has scheduled a public hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 1.