Final Special Session Update May 19, 2010
SPECIAL SESSION ENDS – TASK FORCE FORMED
At a press conference today, the Governor announced that the House of Delegates and State Senate were unable to reach consensus and have suspended efforts to pass the Governor’s and State Board’s bills to “reform education”. However, a taskforce has now been formed and will consist of the following:
Five Senators from the State Senate
Five Delegates from the House of Delegates
1 representative from AFT-WV
1 representative WVSSPA
1 representative from WVEA
State Superintendent of Schools
The taskforce is charged with finding common ground on the issues presented during the special session as well as any other issues they choose to explore. AFT-WV will be presenting proposals dealing with planning periods, class size, salary, paperwork, wrap-around schools (community schools) and the over reliance on student testing. We believe that solutions to these issues should be found if we are to achieve true reform. Further, AFT-WV will be presenting ideas on how to better serve low-income students, those most at risk and the pending shortage of certified teachers, all critical to ensuring equitable educational opportunities for all students. If consensus can be reached, then a special session will be called for June 7th (the next round of legislative Interims).
AFT-WV wishes to thank the leadership of the House of Delegates, and in particular, members of the House Education Committee for their support and advocacy of our issues and their understanding of the critical issues facing our students and public education. They are:
Delegate Poling - Chair, Delegate Paxton - Vice-Chair , Delegate Duke - Minority Chair , Delegate Sumner - Minority Vice-Chair , Delegate Beach, Delegate Crosier, Delegate Ennis, Delegate Fragale (Speaker Pro Tempore), Delegate Lawrence, Delegate Louisos, Delegate Moye, Delegate Perry, Delegate Pethtel, Delegate Rodighiero, Delegate Shaver, Delegate Smith, Delegate Stowers, Delegate Walker, Delegate Williams, Delegate Andes, Delegate Canterbury, Delegate Ireland, Delegate Romine, Delegate Rowan, Delegate Shott.
Please continue to visit www.aftwv.org for updates.