Press Room
Monday: School Discipline Task Force to continue work
Friday, September 9 2011
Task force will discuss potential legislation and hear public testimony
DENVER— Monday, the Legislative Task Force to Study School Discipline will hold its fourth meeting at the Colorado State Capitol. The task force was formed to examine problems with discipline policies in public schools and recommend legislation for the 2012 legislative session. The task force brings together legislators and citizens who represent a wide array of stakeholders including parents, teachers, school administrators, law enforcement, district attorneys and child advocates.
The task force will receive briefings on student law enforcement referrals and drop-out rates and a presentation from Chief Judge Dennis Maes. The Task force will also begin discussion on potential legislation and hear public testimony.
The meeting will be held in the basement of the Colorado State Capitol at 8:30 am in Committee Room 0112. To view the agenda for tomorrow’s meeting, click here.
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WHAT:
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Fourth meeting of the Legislative Task Force to Study School Discipline
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WHEN:
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Monday, September 12 at 8:30 am
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WHERE:
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Colorado State Capitol Basement, Committee Room 0112
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WHO:
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The Legislative Task Force to Study School Discipline consists of:
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Sen. Linda Newell, Chair
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Rep. B.J. Nikkel, Vice Chair
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Sen. Evie Hudak
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Rep. Claire Levy
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Sen. Keith King
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Rep. Libby Szabo
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Kim Dvorchak
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Marco Nuñez
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Stephanie Garcia
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Yvette Plummer
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Stan Garnett
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Doug Ross
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Ben Cairns
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Marjorie "Peg" Rudden
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John Jackson
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Lori Smith
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For more information on the Legislative Task Force to Study School Discipline, visit the task force website.
Task Force Meeting Schedule:
September 12
October 12
October 18 (if needed)
Background:
Over the last ten years, nearly 100,000 students across the state have been referred to law enforcement by their schools. The majority of these referrals have been for minor offenses that reflect normal adolescent behavior and do not threaten school safety. Behavior that once would have resulted in a trip to the principal’s office or a call home now results in an arrest or a trip to juvenile court. The school discipline crisis in Colorado prevents thousands of students from getting the quality education they deserve, and often undermines school safety.
The task force was created by Senate Bill 133, sponsored by Senators Linda Newell (D-Littleton) and Evie Hudak (D-Westminster) and Representative B.J. Nikkel (R-Loveland), which passed the legislature earlier this year.
