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HB 1234 on House Floor This Morning: Last Call to Stop This Bill!

Rep. Stace Nelson tells me that of the hundreds of e-mails he's received on HB 1234, Governor Daugaard's really bad stew of unproven and disproven education policies, exactly ***one*** has expressed support for this bill. One, out of hundreds.

Nearly everyone in South Dakota recognizes HB 1234 is a bad idea. We just need to convince 36 legislators of that fact. Let's make it happen, and save our schools!

The House convenes this morning at 10 a.m. and will take up HB 1234. The House vote last time was 41-28. Since then, many Republicans who voted aye have said they voted simply to let the "process" continue, not to endorse the bill. They have expressed misgivings about merit pay, over-emphasizing math and science, and ending continuing contract, all of which remain in this bad bill.

Rep. Nelson was out of the chamber last time the House voted; he should add a nay today. Rep. Scott Munsterman told a crackerbarrel Saturday that he will vote nay as well. That's 30 nays. We need at least five more.

Go get those five. Flip through the House roster: click on your Reps and contact them to urge a no vote on HB 1234 today. E-mail them our petition. Call the Capitol switchboard at Capitol 605-773-3851 to leave a message for your legislator. If you have the means, fax them your opinion (paper still speaks to legislators!) at the Legislature's fax number of 605-773-6806.

I've hollered a lot about HB 1234. It has completely distracted all of South Dakota from discussing the real problem, the need to restore the draconian budget cuts that set our school funding back five years and deprived students of hundreds of teachers and learning opportunities. But HB 1234 makes the problems in education worse by entangling us in policies that do not help our kids learn.

Call the House now, tell your Representatives to put the brakes on HB 1234.

73 Comments

  1. Owen Reitzel 2012.02.29

    I've e-mailed my Rep. Jon Hansen. Stace Nelson has said he's against this bill and I'm assuming he's going to vote against it.
    I'm afraid that Hansen will vote with whatever the Governor tgells him to vote for

  2. caheidelberger Post author | 2012.02.29

    Thanks, Owen! Keep the pressure on your Reps. Even if they are susceptible to pressure from the Governor, there must come a point where pressure from their constituents (darn near all of them!) will win them over.

  3. Randy 2012.02.29

    From ASBSD:
    Supporters of the bill, including the governor’s office, are pressuring lawmakers hard to move into the support column. ASBSD staff has confirmed that the one-on-one meetings are eroding the opposition you’ve worked so hard to build the last few days. Lawmakers are being pulled on both sides of the issue – it’s important that you tell them that your local district’s position has not changed.

    According to ASBSD sources, backers now argue that that the study group will fix whatever is wrong with the measure over the summer. In the final hour, supporters are acknowledging that the bill needs more work, but aren’t willing to do the work before passing the measure and the mandates it enacts.

    The House has recessed until 12 pm. CONTACT your HOUSE MEMBERS again, and ask them to DEFEAT HB 1234.

    Supporters are arguing that the bill has been changed to allow for local control. But, it’s clear that there will be NO room for local control on teacher and principal evaluation. Refer to the talking points below. ASK HOUSE MEMBERS TO STAND UP FOR LOCAL CONTROL.

    THE MASSIVE, ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL EVALUATION MANDATE
    State law already requires teachers to be evaluated based on state standards. HB1234 is a massive mandate, which mandates the entire evaluation process, mandates the evaluation tool and mandates the frequency of evaluation.

    Every school district in the state will have to adopt the state model, and every school district will have to radically overhaul staff evaluations. For teacher evaluation, it means we will have to test all our students, in every grade, in every subject – schools will have to do some form of standardized testing that is quantitative. And schools will have to pick up the tab.

    There’s a lot of talk about how HB 1234 has changed to allow for local control. BUT THERE IS NO LOCAL CONTROL WHEN IT COMES TO EVALUATIONS. Keep staff evaluation where it belongs, with local schools!

  4. Owen Reitzel 2012.02.29

    great post Randy. I'll e-mail Rep Hansen again.
    But Rep Hansen will vote for the bill because he wants teachers to be able to be fired at a moments notice. he's been for that from day and and he said so as well.

  5. Sam Peil 2012.02.29

    From Rep Kopp just a few minutes ago and my reply below:

    On Feb 29, 2012, at 12:06 PM, wrote:

    Samantha, thank you for taking the time to write on this bill. When this bill was first introduced on the floor in its original form I voted against it. However, since then, this bill has undergone a lot of changes with input from superintendents, principals, and a host of other educators and it well be changed even more.  With input continuing from the education community I believe we can and will make this a better bill. I know that change can be hard from the beginning, but change will come as times change. If we defeat 1234 now we will all go back to square one. Â
    Â
    rep don kopp

    From: samanthapeil@hotmail.com
    Date: February 29, 2012 12:30:19 PM GMT-06:00
    To: ""
    Subject: Re: HB1234

    Representative Kopp,Â
    Thank you for your reply. I welcome change when it is in the best interest of our South Dakota students. I change the way I approach teaching everyday depending on the learners in my classroom and many other factors. I have submitted several ideas to you that would require change.Â

    As I discussed in my letter to you, I do not believe the changes to HB1234 are good enough. What evidence have you seen that supports phasing out continuing contracts will help our learners? Would you agree that Governor Daugaard identifies other content areas in the discussion of the math and science needs from his statement he released on February 1? Shouldn't the welding teachers and computer science teachers and others also be given a bonus if bonuses are being handed out due to the research he outlined in the statement? I hope that we can go back to square one and create a plan that has the strong support of the education community. Thank you again for all you do!

    ~Sami Peil

  6. Matt Groce 2012.02.29

    "However, since then, this bill has undergone a lot of changes with input from superintendents, principals, and a host of other educators and it well be changed even more. With input continuing from the education community I believe we can and will make this a better bill."

    That line is an enormous pile of cow poo.

    An Argus Leader poll showed 87% against the bill, a KJAM radio poll showed 88% against it. The only place in South Dakota you can find a majority of people in favor of this still very bad bill, is in the Legislature.

  7. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    @rcjMontgomery: HB 1234 bumped down the calendar again. House taking up the noncontroversial stuff first, pushing the big bills off. Another delay for 1234.

  8. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    josh verges ‏ @ua14
    Oops, I meant "recess" until 4. Anyway, the House is going to vote at 4 on whether to accept the Senate version of HB1234.

  9. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    @rcjMontgomery: Here's the math for HB 1234. You need 36 votes to pass. The 19 Dems are all no votes, so you need 36 out of 51 Republicans. Put another way, if 16 Republicans defect -- or aren't there -- the bill dies. Being absent is the same as a no vote.

  10. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    @rcjMontgomery: Change lawmakers from "yes" to "no" votes, or vice versa, and see how the vote total changes.

  11. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    @SoDakDems: @rcjMontgomery Both Munsterman and Sen. Tidemann promised to vote no on #HB1234 at Saturday Crackerbarrel in Brookings

  12. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    @rcjMontgomery: The House is coming back to order. Brunner: "It seems like every time someone made a request we took it seriously and amended the bill."

    Brunner: HB 1234 "hardly resembles where it was to start with."

    Brunner: "It’s almost with regret that I bring this bill, because everybody’s been loving this pushing it off."

    Brunner's motion is to CONCUR with the Senate version, not to send to a conference committee.

  13. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    @rcjMontgomery: Brunner: "I can’t imagine there should be a lot of resistance… it seems like we backed down and acquiesced to every concern people had."

  14. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    josh verges ‏ @ua14 Brunner: “Let’s start down the road to real education reform in SD.”

  15. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    @rcjMontgomery Bolin: "Even controversial bills have support from some segment of the general public. But I see little of that support..."

    Brunner: "I can’t imagine there should be a lot of resistance… it seems like we backed down and acquiesced to every concern people had."

    Bolin: "No matter how you dress it up, there’s no genuine grassroots backing for HB 1234, no matter how many times it’s been amended."

  16. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    josh verges ‏ @ua14 Bolin invites the homeless to live at his house if they like HB1234. Or something.

  17. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    @rcjMontgomery Bolin serving up extra helpings of sarcasm in his speech against HB 1234.

    Bolin: "No matter how you dress it up, there’s no genuine grassroots backing for HB 1234, no matter how many times it’s been amended."

    Bolin: "Even controversial bills have support from some segment of the general public. But I see little of that support..."

    Tornow: "How many subjects are currently contained in this bill?" Brunner: "One subject: student achievement."

  18. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    josh verges ‏ @ua14: Tornow hates omnibus bills like Bolin hates the Common Core Standards like Democrats hate HB1234 like I hate missing my basketball games.

  19. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    @rcjMontgomery Tornow's personal hobby horse is the one-subject-per-bill rule.

    RT @BrianJAust: Tornow setting up Constitutional objection to the bill - saying there the various sections are unrelated.

  20. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    josh verges ‏ @ua14: I'm impressed attorney Tornow did not say "Objection: non-responsive" to Brunner's previous answer.

  21. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    @rcjMontgomery: Lucas has a substitute motion to send HB 1234 to a conference committee.

  22. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    @rcjMontgomery: If there weren't the votes for the current HB1234, then a conference committee just saves the bill, allows fixes.

    The fact that Lucas wants a conference committee suggests the current form of the bill would pass.

  23. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    josh verges ‏ @ua14 Lucas: Who will pay for the six work groups and 93 people writing the details of HB1234?

  24. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    @rcjMontgomery: Feinstein: "There is nothing in this plan… that improves student achievement."

    Brunner: "I think we’ve come to a point where this bill deserves a straight-up vote."

  25. Owen Reitzel 2012.02.29

    @rcjMontgomery Bolin: “Even controversial bills have support from some segment of the general public. But I see little of that support…”

    Brunner: “I can’t imagine there should be a lot of resistance… it seems like we backed down and acquiesced to every concern people had.”

    Bolin: “No matter how you dress it up, there’s no genuine grassroots backing for HB 1234, no matter how many times it’s been amended.”

    even if you put lipstick on a pig its still a pig! From Sarah Palin

  26. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    David Montgomery ‏ @rcjMontgomery

    Lucas's motion to send HB 1234 to a conference committee for more work fails 23-46.

    Now Rep. Kloucek moves to kill HB 1234.

    Kloucek: "The people that are in the know are saying this is not what is best for education."

    Rep. Kloucek making an appeal to Republican philosophy. Odd from a Democrat.

  27. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    josh verges ‏ @ua14 Kloucek: HB1234 is not a conservative bill. It's fiscally irresponsible, grows government, less local control.

  28. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    Kevin Woster ‏ @rcjWoster It comes down to this on the state House floor: Only that Bohemian ironman, Frank Kloucek, stands between Daugaard and his education legacy.

  29. Owen Reitzel 2012.02.29

    My Rep Stace Nelson is giving a good speech against this bill. he's talking about local control being taken away by Republicans and to vote against this bill.
    I disagree on a lot with Stace but I have to thank him for his speech today.

  30. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    @rcjMontgomery: @RepStaceNelson calls HB 1234 "Frankenstein's bill."

    Nelson's a bit more of a convincing messenger than Kloucek for the "let's be authentic conservatives" message.

    RT @BenArndt: Rep. Brunner speaks in favor of #HB1234 with the passion and conviction of a man who drew the short straw. #sdleg

    Nelson: "Look at today and yesterday about how many times folks had to caucus to try to whip people into line."

  31. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    josh verges ‏ @ua14: Stace Nelson now speaking. Reminds me of the Malice at the Palace story I read on ESPN's Grantland this morning.

  32. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    @rcjMontgomery: Kloucek motion fails by an identical 23-46 vote.

    House voting now on Kloucek's motion to kill HB 1234.

  33. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    @rcjMontgomery: I hope Daugaard has his pen ready, the House is about to send him HB 1234.

    SD Democratic Party ‏ @SoDakDems:

    Rep. Hickey called #HB1234 his "least favorite bill" this session. And here is on the floor defending it. Incredible. #sdleg

  34. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    @rcjMontgomery: Rep. Hickey, who had called HB 1234 his least favorite bill of the session, says he'll still vote for it.

    josh verges ‏ @ua14 Hickey will vote for HB1234, satisfied by the Senate amendment adding a summer advisory council.

  35. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    SD Democratic Party ‏ @SoDakDems: Rep. Hickey said last week he wouldn't mind if #HB1234 died. Instead, he's going to give it life with a green vote. #sdleg

  36. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    @rcjMontgomery: Rep. Elliott says of course teachers want more money, they just don't want it in the form of merit pay.

  37. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    josh verges ‏ @ua14: Elliott: Daugaard's comment that he's the lobbyist for students "makes me mad."

    @rcjMontgomery: A lot of focus on merit pay, even though HB 1234 proponents say almost no one will take the merit pay option, instead building custom plans.

    Rep. Elliott: "We are not going to attract the best and brightest teachers with this bill. We’re going to drive them away."

  38. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    josh verges ‏ @ua14: Elliott: “If you’re listening to the experts in the field, then you will vote red.” I don't care if Daugaard talks to me.

    @SoDakDems: Rep. Elliot: "I'm not running for reelection. And i don't need my arm twisted by the man on the second floor.... Vote your conscience."

  39. caheidelberger Post author | 2012.02.29

    Verchio totally blowing smoke, avoiding real issues, pretending this is some wonderful compromise. Lies.

  40. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    josh verges ‏ @ua14
    I think Hubbel just made a heavily veiled reference to Pelosi's "pass it so we can find out what's in it."

    @rcjMontgomery
    Verchio: "Virtually every concern that has been raised has been addressed."

    @larry_kurtz: what a f---head.

  41. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    @rcjMontgomery Munsterman: "As you take a look at what’s in the mechanics of the bill… it does not drive student achievement."

  42. Owen Reitzel 2012.02.29

    "Verchio totally blowing smoke, avoiding real issues, pretending this is some wonderful compromise. Lies."

    If he want s to start somewhere how about inviting the people (teachers) that are actually working in education. How the hell is GDD know anything about education. Ya I'm pissed.

  43. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    Sami Peil ‏ @sampeil:
    Rep Munsterman bring schools into discussion. #HB1234

  44. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    Jenna Mann ‏ @jennamannKDLT: Munsterman asks for a "red" vote, which is what color the "no" button is on their voting machines.

  45. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    D Democratic Party ‏ @SoDakDems:
    House Dem Leader Rep. Bernie Hunhoff: Why can't this gain any traction with the people? Nobody every identified the problem. #HB1234 #sdleg

  46. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    @SoDakDems Hunhoff: By any standard, we have fantastic schools. Have you heard otherwise from people back home? #HB1234 #sdleg

  47. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    SD Democratic Party ‏ @SoDakDems:
    Hunhoff: This is a "Pierre takeover of education" just like No Child Left Behind constituted a federal takeover of education

    @rcjMontgomery Hunhoff: "This is a total takeover of education from Pierre."

  48. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    josh verges ‏ @ua14 Hunhoff: "Bill seems to imply that the teachers have this little bag of tricks on how to do better but they’re hiding it in their locker.”

  49. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    SD Democratic Party ‏ @SoDakDems: Hunhoff relates story of 7-8th grade basketball game: "This is what makes a great school - the community, the teamwork, the collaboration."

    @larry_kurtz: gawd.

  50. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    SD Democratic Party ‏ @SoDakDems Hunhoff: "The money that shows up this year will amount to 1/5 of the money that was cut last year," not an investment in education.

    Rep. Lust is really good at listing every concern except the biggest one: Rebuilding school funding formula.

  51. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    josh verges ‏ @ua14 Rep Lust: Criticism is “stunning.” “These ideas are many of the same ideas that we’re seeing from a Democratic presidential administration.”

    @rcjMontgomery: Lust: "With each objection that was raised, an answer and a change was provided."

  52. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    @rcjMontgomery: Lust: "It comes down to inertia vs. movement. Status quo vs. change."

  53. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    @larry_kurtz: do not confuse motion with action.

  54. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    @rcjMontgomery Brunner: "I can’t think of a better place to start that than by rewarding our best teachers with some extra dollars."

    Brunner: "It starts us down the road to true education reform."

  55. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    josh verges ‏ @ua14 Brunner: Last night, we gave schools $8.7 million for this year. “Have any of you seen or heard a thank you? What’s up with that?” Yes, Brunner really did say, "What's up with that?"

    @sandyarseneault: I believe we have a current law that addresses teacher evaluation.

    Ben Dunsmoor ‏ @dunsmoor Voting on #HB1234 begins

  56. Owen Reitzel 2012.02.29

    Brunner is terrible.
    new teachers at Hanson Schools are evaulated twice over there first three years and on the fourth year they are evaluated once a year.
    It would be nice if Brunner knew what he was talking about

  57. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    @rcjMontgomery: HB 1234 passes 36-33, the bare minimum of votes needed, heads to Gov. Daugaard to be signed into law.

    @larry_kurtz: 4:20 comes early.

  58. larry kurtz 2012.02.29

    @mitchfargen: HB 1234 passes the SD House. This is an attack on educators and our children

  59. Owen Reitzel 2012.02.29

    "@rcjMontgomery Brunner: “I can’t think of a better place to start that than by rewarding our best teachers with some extra dollars.”

    and how are you going to do that Brunner?

  60. Sam Peil 2012.02.29

    It seemed Rep Brunner thinks that teachers who are against this bill were influenced by the negative media but not because we have read and understood it for ourselves. Did I understand this implication correctly?

  61. Owen Reitzel 2012.02.29

    We'll see if Daugaard has got the balls to go to a school and explain this or if any of the reps that voted for this will as well.

  62. caheidelberger Post author | 2012.02.29

    Yes, Sam, that is exactly the baloney Brunner wants to believe, has to believe, to protect his conscience.

  63. caheidelberger Post author | 2012.02.29

    I'm considering Rep. Fargen's comment. It's time for a counterattack. Suggestions?

  64. Bill Fleming 2012.02.29

    2 votes. Is the voting record on line yet?

    [CAH: Bill! Yes! Online and updated above!]

  65. D.E. Bishop 2012.02.29

    88% of South Dakotans are ignored, but ALEC and the Koch boys must be happy!!!

  66. Sam Peil 2012.02.29

    If we teachers haven't read the legislation and evaluated the (lack of) evidence to support our opinions then why do we (some) deserve bonuses? We must not be very bright! No bonuses for those who cannot think independently. Oh wait...

  67. caheidelberger Post author | 2012.02.29

    Sam, your independent thinking will get you in trouble. I like trouble.

  68. Sam Peil 2012.03.01

    I welcome it.

  69. Seth 2012.03.04

    I am a student at Central High School and am writing a persuasive speech against this bill and cant seem to find a very good arguement if someone could email me and give me some points or maybe some pros or cons to this bill i would greatly appriiciate it.
    Sgoodro@hotmail.com

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