Transcript Highlights:

• $140 million in wages, translating to $23 million in federal taxes and $12.7 million in state and local
• Meanwhile, immigrant families are keeping local economies alive. Please support HB 124.
• of New Americans include New York, New Jersey, Maryland, California, and then there's some at the local
• It says charter schools as well as district superintendents. So that's what the amendment says.
• So that's why it's school district superintendents and charter school head administrators.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:44:26.079><c> This</c> through increased local levies. This through increased local levies.
• Um, superintendent. Thank you so much. Um, superintendent.
• c> Sleepia</c> Chalowski, superintendent of Sleepia Chalowski, superintendent of Sleepia public<01:22
• </c> Thank you so much um superintendent. Thank you so much um superintendent.
• Thank you, Superintendent. Um, much. Thank you, Superintendent.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Leandro Thomas, the superintendent, and Wallace James, the school board president.
• being named Arizona Superintendent of the Year and a finalist for National Superintendent of the Year
• Now, many have said, well, what about local control?
• This is local control. This empowers the most local decision maker possible, the individual.
• Safety plans are required already, and it is up to the local elected to do that.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have our superintendents. We have our school administrators.
• Is that a reference to the superintendent of California State Superintendent or to local superintendent
• It's the state superintendent. Okay. Moving to section 5.
• For local agencies to make those decisions themselves. Thank you, Assemblymember.
• The potential liability on the adoption in that way by locals.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Next vote will be for local application. Clerk, members will vote.
• Local application is applied to HB496.
• I would think and hope that most of these superintendents... ... hope that most of these superintendents
• You're the superintendent. You tell me. I'm the principal.
• Like I could live with the administrator knowing and the superintendent knowing, but at what... ...superintendent

Bills: HJR 99 , HB 1399 , HB 1400 , HB 1094 , HB 365 , HB 1109 , HB 647 , HCR 35 , SB 14 , HB 12 , HB 1522 , HB 422 , HB 675 , HB 204 , HB 748 , HB 912 , HJR 99 , HB 1399 , HB 1400 , HB 1094 , HB 365 , HB 1109 , HB 647 , HCR 35 , HCR 123 , HCR 124 , HR 57 , HR 87 , HR 111 , HR 228 , HR 230 , HR 322 , HR 624 , HR 625 , HR 626 , HR 627 , HR 628 , HR 630 , HR 631 , HR 634 , HR 635 , HR 636 , HR 637 , HR 638 , HR 639 , HR 640 , HR 645 , HR 646 , HR 648 , HR 649 , HR 651 , HR 652 , HR 653 , HR 654 , HR 664 , HR 665 , HR 668 , HR 675 , HR 676 , HR 678 , HR 679 , HR 680 , HR 683 , HR 686 , HR 688 , HR 689 , HR 694 , HR 695 , HR 697 , HR 698 , HR 699 , HR 472 , HR 622 , HR 632 , HR 633 , HR 643 , HR 655 , HR 657 , HR 660 , HR 661 , HR 662 , HR 663 , HR 667 , HR 670 , HR 674 , HR 681 , HR 682 , HR 696

Bills: SB255 , SB199 , SB47 , HB605 , HB216 , HB621 , HB148 , HB389 , HB509 , HB248 , SB255 , SB199 , SB47 , HB605 , HB216 , HB621 , HB148 , HB389 , HB509 , HB248 , SB336 , SB293 , SB43 , HB420 , HB60 , HB188 , HB106 , HB105 , HB11 , SB336 , SB293 , SB43 , HB420 , HB60 , HB188 , HB106 , HB105 , HB11

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: SB255, cannabinoid, hemp, hemp-derived THC, THCa, delta-8 THC, HHC, CBD, THC, novel cannabinoid products, hemp products, intoxicating hemp, delta-8, retail license, Department of Revenue, Department of Agriculture and Industries, testing and labeling, third-party laboratory, product safety, public health

Transcript Highlights:

• . superintendent. superintendent.
• I thought you were a superintendent. superintendent. superintendent.
• </c> that is paid by local districts. that is paid by local districts.
• local taxpayers more control over local dollars spent.
• <c> voters</c> say how local school voter, local voters say how local school voter, local voters were

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, I'll turn it over to Superintendent Evans.
• </c> uh today we have both superintendent uh today we have both superintendent Drew<00:18:51.480><c>
• ><c> uh</c><00:19:08.200><c> thank</c> Evans go ahead superintendent uh thank Evans go ahead superintendent
• you, Superintendent.
• </c><00:30:54.880><c> you</c> sorry madam chair superintendent you sorry madam chair superintendent you

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• School boards were on there, superintendents were on there. superintendents were on there. superintendents
• So now cities and local governments are able to cities and local governments are able to cities and local
• It allows your local governments to opt in allows your local governments to opt in allows your local
• you have somebody other superintendent you have somebody other superintendent well has my superintendent
• was my well has my superintendent was my well has my superintendent was my superintendent a part of

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> local officials. local officials.
• </c> But did local officials know? But did local officials know?
• </c> cities, municipalities, local cities, municipalities, local governmental<02:43:39.840><c> units,
• </c> local auditor or sorry elect a local local auditor or sorry elect a local auditor.<02:44:47.279>
• board, fire the local school board, fire superintendent,<03:29:47.120><c> business</c><03:29:47.520>

Summary: The House Education Policy and Administration Committee met to hear a non-germane amendment to House Bill 131, which concerns bullying and cyberbullying prevention. Representative Glenn Cordelli, the prime sponsor, said the amendment was intended to revise and improve language from last year’s SB 210 and to incorporate measures from a cyberbullying bill previously passed by the House. He described changes to school communication requirements, mandatory reporting of bullying and retaliation, stronger investigation and collaboration requirements for cross-district cases, added safety and remediation language, a required conference with the alleged perpetrator and parents if available, updated reporting deadlines, and disciplinary consequences for harassment, intimidation, retaliation, and false reports. He also noted a later amendment would be needed to insert the words “the perpetrator” in one section, and he explained that some changes were meant to align with prior legislation and legislative drafting suggestions. Committee members raised several concerns. Representative Murray questioned the treatment of private and parochial schools, the change from gross negligence to negligence, and the removal of a definition of bullying based on imbalance of power and perceived characteristics. Representative Damon also objected to deleting that definition, arguing it would narrow the scope of bullying too much. Representative Han spoke in opposition, saying the amendment was too broad, unnecessary in parts, and not ready for final action; he criticized the removal of the imbalance-of-power language, the conference requirement when parents may not participate, and the reporting obligations for bus drivers and others. Cordelli responded that some issues were already addressed in prior law or SB 210 and that private schools have their own policies. Michelle Wongran of New Hampshire Legal Assistance testified in opposition, saying the bill was being heard without enough notice and that it does far more than the committee analysis suggests. She said the amendment adds undefined retaliation language, imposes reporting duties on school vendors and contractors, may conflict with FERPA and other federal privacy rules, and includes provisions that could have serious implications for schools and students. She said she supports parental involvement and some conference provisions in concept, but urged the committee to reject the amendment or at least send it through the normal legislative process for fuller review. No vote was taken during the hearing portion described in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• And my apologies, Superintendent. Madam Chair, I didn't see Superintendent Tyler there.
• </c><00:05:27.039><c> If</c> superintendent, Dr. Michael Douglas. If superintendent, Dr.
• And my apologies, Superintendent. Madam Chair, I didn't see Superintendent Tyler there.
• I was elected Is everyone superintendent here? Then Is everyone superintendent here?
• </c> And my my my apologies, Superintendent. And my my my apologies, Superintendent.

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Megan Degenfelder, State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
• Superintendent Degenfelder, on one of the points about looking at the benefits through SLEDs for the
• Um, Superintendent, I have one question about the NAEP scores from fourth until we dramatically drop.
• the locals to do, or maybe just authorizing legislation would be useful?
• </c><01:21:55.760><c> control</c> that really a classic local control that really a classic local control

Summary: The committee heard from Superintendent Megan Degenfelder on several interim topics centered on student-centered learning. She highlighted work-based learning and dual/concurrent enrollment, saying the state is updating accountability measures and should examine whether these programs are helping students progress, avoid duplicative costs, and reduce the need for remedial college coursework. She also discussed broader life-skills education, including financial literacy and soft skills, and said districts vary widely in what they offer. On gifted and talented programs, she noted that districts are statutorily required to provide them but the state does not have a clear picture of how consistently they are implemented, and she suggested the committee may want to study that area further. Members asked follow-up questions about whether dual enrollment should be evaluated only by time-to-degree, and Degenfelder said the analysis should also consider additional credentials and remedial coursework. Senator Schuler and others raised the idea of making financial literacy or other life-skills content more common, though Degenfelder said she did not favor a statewide mandate and instead preferred incentives and district-level implementation. The committee also discussed artificial intelligence in schools as an information-sharing topic, with Degenfelder saying the department is beginning a landscape analysis with districts and teachers. She then reviewed NAEP results, noting Wyoming performs strongly in fourth grade but drops sharply by eighth grade, and said the state wants to understand where students are falling off. Members also raised concerns about international comparisons and the need to improve literacy and math outcomes. The committee then moved to member-submitted topics. Representative Strock proposed reviewing the governance structure of state education, arguing that the current split among the Department of Education, State Board of Education, and other boards creates inefficiency and confusion, especially for licensure and programs like CTE. Senator Scott noted that turnover in the superintendent’s office could be a practical issue in any restructuring, and Strock responded that administrative staff could handle day-to-day operations. Representative Williams then introduced a discussion of common core standards and literacy, arguing that standards may be too broad and not specific enough, especially in early grades, and that Wyoming should emphasize phonics, basic reading, math, and civics more directly. Representative Guggenmos agreed that narrowing early-grade focus to math and literacy could improve outcomes. Finally, Representative Williams raised virtual education, saying it is growing quickly and the committee should study funding, accountability, and student support more closely; the chair opened that topic for further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:48:10.319><c> and</c> administrators, our superintendent and administrators, our superintendent
• They don't want the superintendents.
• </c> is Superintendent Evans of the BCA. is Superintendent Evans of the BCA.
• ><c> Minnesota</c> the superintendent at the Minnesota the superintendent at the Minnesota Bureau<01:
• </c><01:43:33.520><c> jurisdictions</c> assess and assist local jurisdictions assess and assist local

Bills: HF3409 , HF3487 , HF3401

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: immigration status, undocumented students, immigrant rights, K-12 education, public school enrollment, Plyler v. Doe, school district, charter school, cooperative unit, law enforcement access, ICE, immigration enforcement, civil lawsuit, private right of action, injunctive relief, mandamus, student records, directory information, parental engagement, equal access to education

Transcript Highlights:

• So charter school head administrators and superintendents will choose their peers from these two groups
• The amendment assures quarterly collaboration with superintendents and charter school leaders, where
• through a mandated quarterly superintendent meeting.
• Bonnie Lightfoot, School Superintendents and NEMSEL.
• Superintendent White, good morning. You have up to two minutes. Welcome. Good morning, Mr.

Bills: HB30 , HB120 , HJR1 , SB210 , SB306

Committee: House House Education

Keywords: teacher residency, Teacher Residency Act, public schools, teacher preparation, educator pipeline, teacher recruitment, teacher retention, student teachers, apprenticeship, co-teaching, mentor teachers, residency stipend, teacher salary, level one teacher, charter schools, school districts, New Mexico education, teacher workforce, principal stipend, cohort model

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome, Superintendent.
• </c><00:09:20.279><c> Heidi</c> takumi um Deputy superintendent Heidi takumi um Deputy superintendent
• Thank you, Superintendent Chair.
• </c> leadership team and to superintendent leadership team and to superintendent Hayashi<00:18:40.679
• So, Assistant Superintendent, uh, Deputy Superintendent Armstrong is here, and all of academics falls

Summary: The Committee on Finance received an informational briefing from the Department of Education on its budget request for the upcoming fiscal year. The Superintendent and staff described the department’s mission, enrollment and staffing scale, recent gains in NAEP reading and math, persistent attendance problems since the pandemic, and the need for resources to support student recovery, middle school math, and other strategic priorities. The department said its proposal is intended to be aligned with its 2023–2029 strategic plan, fiscally balanced, and reliable for schools, while also addressing inflation, workforce needs, and uncertainty in federal funding. Assistant Superintendent and CFO Brian Hallet reviewed federal grants, non-general funds, and the budget development process. He said federal funds make up about 11% of the department’s FY25 appropriation and warned that House budget proposals could threaten predictable funding for core programs. He also explained that the department began its biennial budget work in April 2024 and used an internal review group to identify possible reallocations. The department characterized its request as a “flat” budget proposal overall, with a large share devoted to continued funding for existing recurring needs, and noted challenges including a projected state funding decline, inflation, lingering pandemic impacts, recruitment and retention, and uncertainty about future federal support. A major topic was the department’s capital improvement program. DOE officials argued for a risk-based, proactive approach using lump-sum “buckets” to manage facilities and deferred maintenance across more than 21.5 million square feet at 268 sites. They said this would allow more efficient prioritization of projects and better coordination with complex area superintendents, principals, and legislators. Members asked about how legislative priorities would fit into the bucket system, county-versus-state property jurisdiction issues affecting school facilities, enrollment decline and staffing ratios, and how the department plans to adjust facilities and human resources to shifting enrollment patterns. DOE said it is studying enrollment trends, will brief the Board of Education next month, and is willing to provide further briefings to legislators. No votes or formal actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Michael Ogas, Superintendent, School of Dreams Academy.
• So we would probably, I want to ask the superintendent how many seatings you have.
• Chair, while John is working on the calculation, I appreciate that, Superintendent.
• I see our superintendent, Brian Left, back there.
• Chair, I don't know if Superintendent Luck would like to say anything since he's here.

Committee: House Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m going to just move to Superintendent Brad Morgan, who’s with us virtually, I believe.
• Superintendent Morgan, are you there? I am. Can you hear me? Yes, we can. Please go ahead.
• Thank you, Superintendent Morgan.
• Wachusett cannot properly educate our students without an extreme burden to our local towns.
• I'm the superintendent of schools for the Spenser-Eastfield Regional School District.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education opened a hybrid public hearing on a large slate of bills related to school buildings, school finance, technology, data privacy, safety, and related education issues. Chairs Jason Lewis and Ken Gordon outlined procedures for the hearing, including two-minute testimony limits and the plan to group similar bills together. Several bills drew no testimony and were closed without further discussion, while others drew extensive testimony from legislators, school officials, parents, advocates, and educators. A major theme was school safety and student well-being. Lori Al-Hadeth testified in support of bills on alert systems in public schools, describing the loss of her daughter in the Parkland shooting and urging adoption of Alyssa’s Law-style panic alert technology. Representative Gallagher and disability advocates also supported a bill authorizing, but not requiring, airway clearance devices in schools, arguing they could save lives in choking emergencies and provide an option for people who cannot use the Heimlich maneuver. Another bill on reducing cafeteria waste drew support from a legislator and a Lexington sustainability official, who said installing dishwashers during construction would reduce waste and long-term costs. Much of the hearing focused on Chapter 70 school funding and the inflation cap. Senator Pavel Payano, Senator Sal DiDomenico, Representative Senna, and multiple local officials and school committee members from Bridgewater, Chelsea, Groton-Dunstable, and other districts argued that the 4.5% cap on inflation adjustments has left schools underfunded during years of high inflation, forcing layoffs, larger class sizes, and cuts to programs and student supports. They urged bills to eliminate the cap, restore lost funding, increase the Commonwealth’s share of the foundation budget, or create commissions to study reforms. Testimony also highlighted the impact on special education, English learners, and low-income students, with Chelsea witnesses saying the cap has cost their district about $7 million annually. School construction and MSBA reform were the other major topic. AIA Massachusetts, Boston Public Schools, Lynn officials, and AFT Massachusetts described aging facilities, overcrowding, deferred maintenance, and the difficulty of financing new schools under current reimbursement rules. Boston officials said the district has many pre-World War II buildings and has only built a handful of new schools in decades, while Lynn leaders said reimbursement rates have fallen well below the statutory 80% because of caps and ineligible costs. Witnesses urged modernization of the MSBA program, higher reimbursement rates, and more resources for school construction. The committee also heard support for a bill to study the adequacy and equity of the school building program, and chairs indicated some bills would be closed after no one signed up to testify.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also preserves local flexibility.
• Participation by local educational agencies is entirely voluntary, and the bill preserves local flexibility
• There are lots of opportunities with local government offices or other organizations, local water districts
• , or local conservation groups.
• If there aren’t any local ones, look online.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard a long slate of education bills, beginning with SB 685 on nonpublic schools for students with disabilities. Senator Cortese and the California Department of Education described the bill as a response to the Ninth Circuit’s Laughman decision, removing the obsolete “non-sectarian” requirement while preserving secular use of public funds, nondiscrimination protections, background checks, credentialing, and incident reporting. There was no opposition, and the bill later passed 7-0 to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 1181, a pilot grant program for violence prevention, student wellness, and school safety in Central Valley and other schools. Supporters framed it as a prevention measure, while opponents from EFF, ACLU Cal Action, and community advocates warned it could increase law enforcement involvement, surveillance, and use of fusion centers; despite those concerns, it ultimately passed 5-0 to Appropriations. Members then considered SB 1067, which would create a statewide framework for annual K-2 math assessments starting in 2028-29 to identify students needing early intervention. The author and supporters argued California faces a serious math achievement crisis and that early assessment would help close gaps, while CTA and several educators and administrators sought additional clarity and amendments to ensure alignment with existing diagnostic practices and limits on high-stakes use. The bill drew broad support from educators, parents, and advocacy groups and passed 7-0 to Appropriations. SB 1107, a school shade-structure bill, would expand eligible shade projects and allow bundling through design-build to reduce costs; it received support from LAUSD, school boards, and climate-focused groups and passed 7-0. SB 1128, on take-home devices and screen time for kindergarteners, was presented as a modest first step to give families more flexibility and reduce early screen exposure, with support from early childhood advocates and no opposition, and it passed 7-0. The committee also approved SB 1048, creating a voluntary State Seal of Climate Literacy for students who complete climate coursework and hands-on projects. Supporters, including Ten Strands, students, teachers, and county offices, said it would recognize real-world climate learning and green career readiness; it passed 7-0. SB 1140, sponsored by CFT, would require LEA construction contractors to follow campus security provisions during school projects to reduce unauthorized access; it drew support from labor and gun violence prevention groups and passed 7-0. SB 930, requiring end-to-end encryption for proctoring companies handling K-12 exam data, was presented as a student privacy measure in response to cybersecurity risks and passed 6-0. Finally, SB 1083 was introduced by Senator Perez as a follow-up to last year’s Safe Learning Environments Act, with extensive committee amendments to refine the statewide misconduct data system, disclosure rules, contractor fingerprinting, and access requirements; the transcript cuts off before the bill’s full hearing and vote are shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Superintendent Aaron Kalanski. Thank you. Hi. Here. Superintendent Aaron Kalanski. As a. Yeah.
• I'm always willing to speak to the principals and superintendents.
• a local rabbi after each individual incident is not adequate.
• Local residents acted quickly, and CCAA put together a meeting with locals to discuss the plan and prepare
• Lee is the head of the superintendents' association.

Summary: The meeting was a special commission hearing on antisemitism held off-site at Kerem Shalom Synagogue in Concord, with commissioners approving prior minutes and noting a quorum, a rescheduled October 27 meeting, and the addition of a new commissioner. The co-chairs and host speakers emphasized the personal and communal significance of holding the hearing in a synagogue and the importance of confronting antisemitism while protecting free speech, academic freedom, and civil discourse. The commission heard from former SJC Justice and current UMass General Counsel David Lowy, who discussed the IHRA definition of antisemitism, said its use as nonbinding guidance does not raise First Amendment concerns, and described UMass’s response to a discriminatory academic conference policy. Commissioners also asked about campus speaker vetting, protest rights, and university practices for addressing antisemitism and protecting students’ access to education. District Attorney Marian Ryan testified about restorative justice as a tool for addressing hate incidents, saying it can help victims be heard, reduce reoffending, and be used in criminal, school, and community settings. She described local programs, online reporting forms, and the need for better statutory tools, including changes to restitution and education requirements in hate-crime cases. Commissioners asked whether restorative justice affects charging decisions, and Ryan said it should not alter whether a hate crime is investigated or charged. She also identified model programs and said the commission’s work aligns with the national strategy it is charged with implementing. Three rabbis then described the rise in antisemitic incidents in schools and communities, the emotional toll on Jewish families, and the need for stronger school responses, clearer language in incident communications, and better training for educators. Rabbi Brad David recounted repeated incidents in Acton-Boxborough and praised the district’s improved partnership and response, while Rabbi Tom Shah described parental anxiety, concerns about classroom materials lacking context, and the need for balanced instruction. The rabbis also discussed synagogue security costs and measures, including volunteer security teams, police support, grants, and physical protections. Commissioners said the testimony would inform forthcoming recommendations, and DESE staff noted they are developing instructional-materials guidance and a rubric for educators. The final witness, Professor Christina Miller, outlined hate-crime prosecution issues in Massachusetts, including mixed-motive cases, the need for clearer statutes and jury instructions, better training for police and clerk magistrates, guidance on sentencing and diversity-awareness programs, and the use of community impact statements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Superintendent Kane, is that you? Can you hear us? Yeah, yeah. Superintendent, you're muted.
• Would you please, Superintendent?
• Yeah, are we losing the Superintendent, Shirley? Are we losing you, Superintendent, in time?
• Is that not right, Superintendent? Yes, Mr. Chair. Superintendent, you're absolutely correct.
• No other superintendents have tried. I understand that Superintendent Cain is trying.

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee