Management Council Meeting Summary (October 9-10, 2003)

The Management Council met jointly with the Joint Education Committee in Gillette on October 9-10, 2003.  The participants received an update and recommendations from the Student Assessment/Accountability Task Force regarding the development of accountability systems in response to the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).  The State Superintendent of Public Instruction addressed the members on the organization of the State Department of Education and the goals behind the organizational efforts.  The State Department provided information regarding the development of the statewide education data system.  The Council and Committee also received an update and preliminary analysis regarding 2003 legislation that required a reevaluation of the small school adjustment to the cost-based school finance model. 

The participants received a report of school district five-year facility planning efforts from the School Facility Commission.  The participants were updated regarding classified personnel salary adjustments and progress regarding the cost-based adjustment for reading assessment and intervention.  The following day, the participants received information related to the ongoing analysis to refine the at-risk adjustment to the school funding model as required by 2003 legislation.  The participants received information about the study to design a grant program to fund the costs associated with summer school intervention and remediation programs for at-risk children.  The Attorney General’s Office addressed the joint meeting participants regarding school finance constitutional issues, which will be considered by the Education Committee. 

At the conclusion of the joint meeting, the Council met independently to review Management Council policies and adopted a new policy regarding legislative stationary.  The Council received three reports prepared by the LSO general research staff and requested the research be distributed to all legislators and the five state elected officials.  The Council assigned additional projects to the research staff.  The Council approved additional budget requests for the Education, Revenue, and Select Tribal Relations committees, as well as the Management Council.  The Council adopted a tentative 22-day schedule for the 2004 session and discussed the ongoing issues of office space in the Capitol for legislative staff.  The Council also discussed procedural errors in the adoption of administrative rules and this information is included in rule reviews completed by the LSO.  The Council plans to meet again on December 15, 2003 in Rock Springs.