Video & Transcript Research : 'Summit Academy'
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KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Budget Review Subcommittee on Education (9-17-25) - Reupload
Transcript Highlights:
- school year as KY statewide academy. school year as KY statewide academy.
- So, it makes us uh the largest academy So, it makes us uh the largest academy in<01:30:20.960>
- <01:31:31.199>
again but our students at the academy again but our students at the academy- . academy. academy.
- It's creating the next generation of leaders. academy. And those additional 50 academy.
- <01:31:31.199>
Summary:
The meeting focused on Kentucky school choice and innovation, with discussion of the state constitution’s “common schools” requirement and how that has been interpreted alongside newer education models. Chairman Tipton described model laboratory schools, Gatton and Craft Academies, magnet and virtual programs, and said these options show that Kentucky has long expanded opportunity through innovation. He then turned the discussion to Senate Bill 207, which he said was designed to support schools of innovation.
Senator Steve West reviewed the history of Kentucky charter schools and explained that SB 207 was modeled on a South Carolina approach. He said the bill allows a local school board to contract with a third-party entity to manage an existing school, seek waivers from certain state rules, and receive SEEK funding while also allowing outside private investment. He emphasized that the district initiates the process, that the school remains public, and that the bill includes accountability through a time-limited contract that can be ended if the school is not performing.
Members asked about the difference between SB 207 and the earlier charter school law, whether schools could cherry-pick students, and whether teachers would remain district employees. West and Tipton said the new model is tied to an existing school rather than a new charter, cannot cherry-pick students, and keeps teachers as district employees. Representative Brown raised concerns that charters and exceptions could leave some children out, especially lower-income students, while West responded that the proposal is intended to expand choice for families who may not otherwise have it and cited examples from other states where similar models improved low-performing schools. No vote or formal action was taken during the discussion.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Natalie is the lead ambassador for Campbell High School STEM Academy.
- Natalie is the lead ambassador for Campbell High School STEM Academy.
- Can you guys freshman success academy.
- of the Academy of Natural Resources. of the Academy of Natural Resources.
- and elevate the voices of our academy and elevate the voices of our academy students<00:38:47.520
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
ALC-OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE Jun 18th, 2026
ALC-OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- Our numbers at the Basic Academy are somewhere close to 700 per year.
- 45, and then Northwest Academy is 55, and it's non-residential as well.
- So is being hired by a local agency a prerequisite for joining the academy?
- So is, is being hired by a local agency, a prerequisite for joining the academy?
- Could they enter that academy and what would that cost on their own?
Summary:
The committee first reviewed the Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality’s asbestos abatement program. DEQ explained that it licenses asbestos-related workers and businesses under federal and state law, including contractors, workers, inspectors, planners, designers, consultants, air monitors, and training providers. Members asked about the continued presence of asbestos in modern products, the status of the program’s grant fund, and why program expenses were expected to rise; DEQ said grants have not been issued in more than six years because revenues have not left a surplus, and the higher expenses reflect a reallocation of inspector salaries to the fund that supports the program. DEQ also described complaint-driven inspections, enforcement tools such as civil penalties and notices of violation, and the health risks of exposure, including asbestosis and mesothelioma. The report was accepted without objection.
The committee then heard from the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training. The commission outlined its standards, compliance, decertification, basic academy, advanced training, and jail standards functions, and said it operates three basic academies in Camden, Benton-Bryant, and Springdale. Members asked about recruitment and retention, academy capacity, training hours, and costs to local agencies; the commission said attendance costs counties nothing because the state funds the academies, and that basic training is being expanded to 705 hours with a greater emphasis on practical instruction. The commission also described separate training for detention officers and school resource officers, and said law enforcement divisions in other agencies, such as the Department of Agriculture, are held to the same standards. It noted that most academy attendance requires agency hiring first, though a veterans-to-law-enforcement program allows some veterans to attend on their own and later seek employment. This report also was accepted without objection.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs May 28th, 2026
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Higher Education Institutions Committee Apr 9th, 2026 at 08:30 am
Higher Education Institutions Committee
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Higher Education Institutions Committee Apr 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I just got back last week from a conference, a higher ed summit on ERP conversation.
- If you see a name, I was like, where is a Sellis Academy? I've never heard of that.
Summary:
The Higher Education Institutions Committee met on the Minot State University campus for presentations on campus operations, enrollment, and new academic initiatives. President Shirley reviewed recent audits, noting mostly clean results with only minor technical findings, and highlighted MSU’s broad academic offerings, specialized accreditations, athletics, and partnerships with Minot Air Force Base and the MSU Development Foundation. Members asked about declining interest in teacher education, tuition waivers for athletes, dual credit incentives, and how MSU decides when to launch new programs and avoid duplication within the university system.
Shirley also discussed several workforce-focused initiatives supported by the Legislature’s Workforce Education Innovation Funds, including the purchase of the Trinity Health Center West building for a downtown health sciences hub, a new daycare/preschool partnership near campus, the Aspire program to recruit rural students into teaching, and a paraprofessional-to-special-education degree pathway. Enrollment data showed overall headcount was flat at just under 2,750, but full-time equivalent enrollment rose slightly and new student numbers increased, including the largest freshman class in 15 years. The committee also discussed Minot State’s in-state tuition rate for all students, its dual credit “Emerging Scholars” scholarship, and concerns about the share of high school graduates who do not immediately pursue postsecondary education.
Faculty then presented two new programs funded in part by WEAF: an Innovation Engineering degree and a master’s program in counseling with an integrated addiction studies focus. The engineering program was described as industry-driven, designed with broad early coursework, hands-on learning, and local employer input to prepare students for western North Dakota workforce needs; officials said it had already drawn more applicants than expected and would use renovated library space and donated or grant-funded equipment. The counseling program will be mostly face-to-face with hybrid options, aims to address shortages in mental health and substance use providers, and is structured to help students meet licensure requirements. Committee members asked about startup costs, licensure supervision hours, and whether the programs would be on campus rather than online, and presenters said both programs had recently received required approvals and were moving forward.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS House Floor - 25 March, 2026; 10:00 AM
Mississippi House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:36:21.119>
football introduce the Winston Academy football introduce the Winston Academy - <00:37:37.760>
took the referees over at Lamar Academy took the referees over at Lamar Academy - <00:37:41.920>
that think we'd have beat Lamar Academy that think we'd have beat Lamar Academy - <00:38:06.960>
Patriots to welcome the Winston Academy Patriots to welcome the Winston Academy - >> I think somebody from Lamar Academy was running as well.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer led by Pastor Darren Leech, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. After confirming a quorum, the chamber dispensed with reading the journal and handled routine introductions. Members welcomed several guests in the galleries, including Mick Bulock of NCSL and multiple youth and community groups. The House also recognized Pastor Leech’s remarks about public service and stewardship.
A series of congratulatory resolutions were taken up and adopted, many by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. These included resolutions honoring Derek Hall for winning Super Bowl 60 with the Seattle Seahawks, the Columbia Academy Lady Cougars cross country and softball teams for state championships, and other special recognitions. The House also adopted STR 536 and several additional resolutions from the rules calendar, with votes reported at 118 yeas, 0 nays on multiple items.
On the conference calendar, the House concurred in House Bill 1150, which merged the engineers and surveying boards, added an exception so title attorneys were not affected, and changed board member terms from six years to four years. The concurrence motion passed 122 yeas, 0 nays. The House also adopted a conference report on item 60 related to state security operations center language, removing a reverse repealer, by a vote of 117 yeas, 0 nays.
Later, members continued introducing guests and honoring school groups, including the Winston Academy football team for its state championship, the Jeff Davis County Mayor’s Youth Council, Columbus High School’s boys basketball team and Mr. Basketball honoree Michael Hood Jr., Heritage Christian Academy, and Mississippi State basketball player Josh Huard, who was recognized for the Coach Wooden Citizenship Award. The House then adjourned until 10:00 a.m. the next day, with the journal left open until the last conference report is filed.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 3/3/26
Children and Families Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- something that simple um requires some<01:08:25.040>
sort <01:08:25.279>of <01:08:25.400>summit - <01:08:25.920>
between some sort of summit between some sort of summit between uh<01:08:27.359
Keywords:
data privacy, investigative data, welfare system, public funds, transparency, child care, licensing, inspections, compliance, program integrity, 1183, house
Summary:
The committee took up House File 3542, authored by Representative Hudson, and first adopted the February 25 minutes. Hudson explained that the bill, as amended in a DE1, would require agencies to disclose to the public, legislators, or the press the existence of certain investigations only after the subject has been notified and the agency has decided to reduce, suspend, or withhold payments. He said the amendment was intended to avoid tipping off subjects before notification while still increasing transparency about investigations involving public funds. A separate A3 amendment was withdrawn after the DE1 was adopted.
Several members questioned the bill’s scope and timing, asking what “existence of an investigation” meant and whether the proposal would disclose information before findings were complete. Hudson clarified that the bill was aimed at identifying who is being investigated, not revealing investigative details. The committee then heard extensive public testimony from child care providers and advocates, who opposed the bill and argued it would expose providers to harassment, threats, and stigma before any findings were made. Testifiers described recent threats, ICE-related disruptions, audits, overpayment findings, and the burden of CCAP compliance, saying the bill would punish providers for paperwork errors and worsen safety concerns, especially for Somali and other providers of color.
A board member of the Minnesota Child Care Association also opposed the bill, saying providers had been chilled from speaking publicly because of death threats and harassment, and warning that disclosure of investigations could intensify that climate. In response, Hudson said the bill was not about targeting child care providers generally and was limited to confirmed ongoing investigations after notice to the subject. The committee then heard from Inspector General Keys, who explained that CCAP investigations are administrative, not criminal, and are based on evidence of repeated errors or financial misconduct rather than intentional fraud. He said the office looks for patterns beyond simple mistakes and that the bill’s notice requirement would not impede investigations. The discussion ended amid a brief procedural dispute over comments directed at Hudson, after which the chair returned to the bill and the Inspector General’s testimony.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- including all of their meetings, the Innovation Alliance committee meetings, as well as the Minnesota CAB Summit
- including all of their meetings, the Innovation Alliance committee meetings, as well as the Minnesota CAB Summit
- including all of their meetings, the Innovation Alliance committee meetings, as well as the Minnesota CAB Summit
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on Senate File 285, a bill to shift MnDOT highway project cost participation away from local governments and onto MnDOT. The bill’s author and several city representatives said current cost-share policies force cities to spend local aid, property taxes, or debt on state highway projects they do not control, leaving less money for local streets and maintenance. Testifiers from Richfield, Elk River, Faribault, Minneapolis, and the Minnesota Association of Small Cities all supported the bill, describing the policy as one-size-fits-all, financially burdensome, and especially harmful to smaller cities and cities with major state highways running through them.
Witnesses gave examples of large and sometimes changing local cost-share obligations, including Richfield’s spending of most of its MSA funds on projects it does not own and a small-city project where the estimated local share rose from about $2.3 million to over $3 million. Several testifiers said cities often have little practical ability to refuse MnDOT projects because the projects are valuable and MnDOT can move on if a city declines. One witness also raised concerns about money being paid upfront and held in an account during construction, causing cities to lose interest earnings while funds sit unused.
Members asked whether cities truly have a say in these projects and whether there are limits on how much the local share can increase. Testifiers said MnDOT does engage cities, but the cost participation policy largely dictates the outcome, and they described the municipal consent statute as too narrow in practice. Senators expressed concern about fairness and the burden on local budgets, while one member noted the bill may not fully address the broader consent issue. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 03/19/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Military Academy Public Affairs, Community Engagement; Mr. Eric Bartelt, U.S.
- Military Academy Public Affairs, Command Information; Ms. Jenna Cisneros, U.S.
- MILITARY ACADEMY PUBLIC AFFAIRS, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MR. ERIC BARTELT, U.S.
- MILITARY ACADEMY PUBLIC AFFAIRS, COMMAND INFORMATION. MS. JENNA CISNEROS, U.S.
- And yet, under his presidency, he created the military academy at West Point. Why?
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by Major Brittany Wooten, then took up Senate Resolution No. 1749 designating March 19, 2026, as West Point Day in New York State. Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Senator Skoufis, Minority Leader Ortt, and several other senators spoke in support of West Point, its cadets, and the academy’s history and role in national service. Colonel Daniel R. Stuewe, commander of U.S. Army Garrison West Point, also addressed the chamber, emphasizing the long-standing partnership between West Point and New York and the academy’s mission to develop leaders of character. The resolution was adopted, and the West Point Day observance included recognition of cadets and academy staff.
The Senate then moved through a calendar of bills, passing measures including amendments to the Public Health Law, Election Law, Executive Law, Penal Law, Elder Law, Real Property Tax Law, General Municipal Law, and Public Authorities Law. Several bills drew brief explanations of vote or debate. Senator Mayer spoke in support of a bill establishing Fred Korematsu Day, framing it as a reminder of the injustice of Japanese American internment and the need to defend civil rights. Senator Ryan supported a bill streamlining the senior citizen property tax exemption process, calling it a way to reduce burdens on older residents. Senator Helming opposed a local government planning mandate as an unfunded mandate, while Senators Walczyk and Martins criticized a housing-related reporting bill as burdensome and ineffective.
The most debated item was Calendar 457, a housing-data and reporting bill sponsored by Senator May. Supporters argued it would improve transparency and help the state understand zoning and housing capacity, while opponents said it imposed new reporting burdens on municipalities and could penalize poorer communities by threatening CDBG funding. After debate, the bill was restored to the non-controversial calendar and ultimately passed by a vote of 37-23. The Senate then adjourned until the next legislative day.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
January 13, 2026 - 03:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- We look forward to hearing more about the Florida Scholars Academy and how it's doing.
- So I'm back here to discuss the Florida Scholars Academy give you an update.
- So the Scholars Academy was formed as a single unified education system parting with Florida virtual
- It's because of Florida Scholars Academy.
- As Scholars Academy is able to do that virtually with the parents to keep them informed.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration (03/04/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- Hi, my name is Jessica Wsman and I'm the dean of operations at the Burch's Academy Charter School in
- Charter School in the Burch's Academy Charter School in Salem.<00:04:58.800>
I'm <00:04:59.040 - was actually um this to Burch's Academy was actually um this to step<00:05:22.160>
back, <00:05 - of school at the micro society academy of school at the micro society academy charter<00:06:14.000
- We have public academies like Pinkerton and Cob Brown, right?
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division II (02/24/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- In fact, the full-time police academy, the part-time police academy, and the Corrections Academy have
- <00:16:14.360>
uh <00:16:14.480>been Academy have historically uh been Academy have - officer academies for 2025.
- officer academies for 2025.
- officer academies for 2025.
Summary:
The Finance Division 2 hearing took testimony from the director of New Hampshire Police Standards and Training on the agency’s budget request and operations. He described the agency’s role in setting hiring, education, certification, and discipline standards for police, corrections, probation and parole, and court security officers, and noted that the agency runs the full-time, part-time, corrections, and court security training programs. He also outlined the agency’s staffing, facility, and budget request for FY 2026-27, including a request to keep funding level with the governor’s recommendation while shifting funds to support an IT manager position by defunding a vacant administrative slot.
The agency requested several statutory changes in Chapter 106, including clarifying the definition of police misconduct, allowing a temporary member on the Conduct Review Committee, clarifying reporting requirements for misconduct allegations, and codifying the Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission. The director also reviewed new responsibilities added in recent years, including crisis intervention training, statewide accreditation, the Conduct Review Committee, and increased annual in-service training requirements. He explained that crisis intervention funding is carried in a continuously appropriated, non-lapsing account and that some budget lines were reclassified, including software and janitorial services, to reflect actual spending needs.
Members asked about national standards, the different academy tracks, crisis intervention funding, maintenance and contract changes, temporary positions, and the court security training program. The agency said it coordinates with national peers through IADLEST, that the part-time and corrections academies are longstanding programs, and that the new court security academy can be delivered either as a full academy or as in-service training depending on resources. The director also said the agency has been running extra full-time academies because of high vacancy rates, but expects to return to three full-time academies this year, with two corrections academies and one or possibly two part-time academies. He also explained the current approach to misconduct records and public disclosure, saying sustained findings under RSA 106-L are heard by the council and published, replacing the older, less standardized exculpatory list process.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
ALC-OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE Jun 18th, 2026
ALC-OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- Which is going to be our police academies.
- So our numbers at the Basic Academy are somewhere close to 700 per year.
- 45, and then Northwest Academy is 55, and it's non-residential as well.
- So is being hired by a local agency a prerequisite for joining the academy?
- Could they enter that academy? And what would that cost on their own?
Summary:
The committee first reviewed the Division of Environmental Quality’s asbestos abatement program. DEQ officials explained that the program licenses asbestos-related workers and businesses, including contractors, workers, inspectors, planners/designers, consultants, air monitors, and training providers, under federal and state requirements. Members asked about asbestos use today, grant funding for removal, inspections funded by fees and fines, complaint handling, enforcement authority, and health risks. DEQ said some asbestos-containing products are still manufactured, grants have not been issued in over six years due to funding constraints, inspectors investigate complaints and can issue civil penalties or other enforcement actions, and exposure can cause asbestosis and mesothelioma. The report was accepted without objection.
The committee then heard from the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training. Officials described the agency’s standards and training divisions, three basic academies, advanced training, and jail standards training. Members asked about recruitment, academy capacity, training costs, and curriculum changes. The commission said recruitment and retention are improving, basic academy enrollment is around 700 per year with capacity for about 725 to 750, training costs counties nothing because the state funds it, and basic training is being expanded from 528 hours to 705 hours with more practical instruction based on input from chiefs and sheriffs.
Questions also covered detention officer training, school resource officer training, and whether other agencies are subject to the same standards. Officials said detention officers receive separate training, school resource officers have standalone training approved by the commission, and other law enforcement divisions such as the Department of Agriculture are held to the same standards. They also noted a Veterans to Law Enforcement program that allows eligible veterans to attend the academy without first being hired by an agency, with GI Bill support. The report was accepted without objection, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Consumer and Public Affairs Jan 29th, 2026 at 02:04 pm
House Consumer & Public Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- How do they relate to the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations?
- Until very recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC's... ...the American Academy of Pediatrics
- Now it can be the ACIP, or the American Academy of Pediatrics, or the American Academy of Family Practice
- American Academy of Pediatrics or the American Academy of Family Practice.
- And so that was the reference of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- has earned certification as a model academy from the National Career Academy Coalition.
- <00:07:22.480>
has rates, and the Freshman Academy has rates, and the Freshman Academy has - earned certification as a model academy earned certification as a model academy from<00:07:26.080
- the National Career Academy from the National Career Academy Coalition.<00:07:29.760>
This <00 - >> At Maui Preparatory Academy, Anna serves >> At Maui Preparatory Academy, Anna serves as
Keywords:
HB1166, automated speed enforcement, speed cameras, traffic enforcement, road safety, traffic safety, Department of Transportation, state highway fund, special fund, appropriation, fiscal year 2026-2027, camera enforcement, speeding citations, automated traffic enforcement, highway safety, HB389, uncrewed aircraft, drone, drones, UAS
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Friday, January 24, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Following members on the part of the House to the Board of Visitors to the United States Air Force Academy
- following members on the part of the House to the Board of Visitors to the United States Air Force Academy
- following members on the part of the House to the Board of Visitors to the United States Military Academy
- following members on the part of the House to the Board of Visitors to the United States Military Academy
- NAVAL ACADEMY. THE CLERK: MR. ELLZEY OF TEXAS. MR. FRANKLIN OF FLORIDA.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Service Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Public Service
Transcript Highlights:
- Every cadet will still go through the fire academy training.
- This program is not meant to replace the fire academy.
- The next Fire Academy class is coming up soon, so let's not miss the chance.
- Of course, these fire cadets make only $32,000 a year, which might be feasible... ...to the academy.
- This home rule petition would allow the cream of the crop of the cadets to move to the academy after
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Service heard testimony on a wide range of bills affecting public employees, retirees, and public safety personnel. Early testimony focused on House Bill 2859, which would make Massachusetts Department of Correction industrial instructors permanent civil service employees after years of provisional status, and House Bill 2995, which would reduce the Boston Fire Cadet Program service requirement from two years to one year. Supporters of the Boston fire cadet bill argued it would improve equity, expand opportunities for Boston residents, and help diversify the Boston Fire Department; committee members asked about the current makeup of academy classes and the effect of a hybrid model, and the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association was described as neutral on a separate age-related police bill.
The committee also heard several proposals related to post-retirement earnings and civil service rules for police and fire retirees. Testimony supported bills including H. 2903 and H. 2966, which would loosen earnings limits for retired public safety workers returning to work, and related measures affecting civil service exemptions and professional services for retirement boards. Speakers argued the current limits are confusing, discourage experienced workers from filling needed municipal jobs, and can create safety issues on public works and construction sites. One witness from Worcester Police supported raising the police academy age limit from 32 to 39 to improve recruitment, especially in BIPOC communities, while Boston City Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata supported a separate bill to raise the Boston Police Academy age cap from 39 to 45.
A substantial portion of the hearing was devoted to H. 2812 and S. 1817, which would increase the pension COLA base from $13,000 to $18,000 and freeze certain retiree health insurance contribution rates, with additional testimony about capping out-of-pocket health costs for some retirees. Educators and union representatives said the current COLA structure has eroded pension value and leaves retirees struggling with rising costs, while one witness described long delays and confusion in navigating retiree health coverage. The committee took no substantive votes on the bills during the hearing and adjourned after hearing all testimony.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate Chamber Feb 11th, 2026 at 11:30 am
New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- But they also come from Junction Christian Academy in Hobbs.
- So DPS runs a law enforcement academy. They run the training.
- So DPS runs a law enforcement academy. They run the training.
- And DPS can dictate to the council what they want in that academy.
- And DPS can dictate to the council what they want in that academy, and the academy then approves that
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (05/27/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:47:14.400>
assessments <00:47:14.800>throughout <00:47:15.520>our summitative - assessments throughout our summitative assessments throughout our learning<00:47:16.079>
module - <00:47:24.960>
and consideration um the formative and consideration um the formative and summitative- <00:47:25.520>
assessments <00:47:26.000>that <00:47:26.480>um summitative assessments- that um summitative assessments that um preschool<00:47:27.200>
centers <00:47:27.599>often - <00:47:24.960>
Summary:
The committee opened hearings on SB 69, including a germane amendment on school board votes to accept or reject gifts and donations, and a non-germane amendment creating a virtual early childhood readiness family engagement program for preschool children not yet in kindergarten. Prime sponsor Rep. Glenn Cordelli said the literacy program was modeled on earlier HB 671, would be funded through gifts and donations rather than state appropriations, and would include reporting requirements to the governor and legislature. Members questioned changes from the earlier bill, including the move away from center-based language, the lack of a dollar threshold for school board action on donations, anonymous gifts, and whether the amendment preserved enough evaluation data.
Testimony on the donation provisions raised concerns about broad language, timing, and public-meeting requirements. Rep. Timothy Han and Becky Wilson of the New Hampshire School Boards Association both noted that school districts already have policies and asked how the bill would work for routine donations, anonymous gifts, and situations that might require non-public discussion under right-to-know law. Wilson cited examples such as field-trip scholarships, backpack drives, and sports uniforms, and said the association was not taking a position but wanted clearer guardrails. Rep. Han said school boards may need to discuss some gifts in non-public session and that the bill should better address those circumstances.
On the early literacy amendment, Wilson and others questioned whether the program was sufficiently developed, whether it was appropriate to rely on a primarily online model for very young children, and how it would interact with special education services and IEPs. A representative from Waterford.org, Rob Riley, testified in support, saying the program would be supplementary, adaptive, and family-engagement based, and that Waterford could provide devices and internet access for families who need them. He said the program would work alongside school districts and IEP teams rather than replace existing services. No vote was taken during the hearing; the chair said the committee would later exec the bills and try to get reports in for the calendar.