Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/543920
22 Summer 2015 | AEA Advocate EduCATIon nEWS EduCATIon nEWS EduCATIon nEWS EduCATIon nEWS EduCATIon nEWS Superintendent Announces Members of Group to De-Regulate Education On June 18, 2015, the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) announced the members of the Title 15 Working Group. In a press release, Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas said she sought the creation of an annual independent group to propose legislative changes to reduce unnecessary burdens and outdated statutory provisions affecting Arizona's public schools. "Arizona's education code over time has grown vastly and is not comparable with student achievement. I strongly support more funding for Arizona's classrooms, and one way to do that is to free up existing funding by relieving Arizona's public schools from spending vital funds on unnecessary administrative requirements," Superintendent Douglas stated. "Just as getting rid of unnecessary regulation helps businesses, de-regulation will help students." According to ADE, the Working Group is a team of public volunteers. None of the members are lobbyists, representatives of organizations, or employees of the Arizona Department of Education. The members have diverse expertise and knowledge in Arizona's K-12 education system. They include school superintendents, human resources personnel, food service professionals, business managers, a parent, a teacher, and other education stakeholders who are impacted daily by the statutes. The Working Group is chaired by Ernest Calderón and the Vice-Chair is Kevin Hegarty. "As the Working Group reviews the K-12 education statutes, we will be doing so by asking, 'How does this law help kids? Is it required? Or does it increase student achievement or improve accountability?' Our schools are burdened by ineffective administrative tasks; therefore, the Working Group's proposed ch anges will redirect a school's time, effort, and money back to improving student success," said Calderón. The Working Group held their fi rst meeting on July 8 and are taking comments from the public for suggested legislative changes. The public may also submit suggested changes to PolicyInbox@azed.gov. n Ernest calderón (Chairman) – President Emeritus of the Arizona Board of Regents & Partner in Ridenour, Hienton & Lewis law fi rm providing expertise in education law (Policy Representative). Kevin Hegarty (Vice Chairman) - Executive Director of Business and Operations at Laveen Elementary School District (Business Operations Representative). Erica Avila Hlavaty – Director of Student Services focusing on transforming the special education program at Isaac School District (Special Education Representative). Jeremy calles – CFO at Kyrene Elementary School District (School Finance Representative). Jeanne casteen – Member of Creighton School District Governing Board & current teacher at North High School (Teacher & School Board Member Representative). April Hamilton – Associate attorney at Ridenour, Hienton & Lewis law fi rm practicing in the area of education law (Policy Representative). ricardo Hernandez – Deputy County School Superintendent and CFO at the Offi ce of the Pima County School Superintendent (County Representative). todd Jaeger – Associate Superintendent and General Counsel and Executive Director of Human Resources at Amphitheater Unifi ed School District (Support Services Representative). Jody Johnson – Founder & CEO of Pointe Charter Schools (Charter School Representative). Quinn Kellis – Superintendent of Madison School District (Superintendent Representative). Bill Maas – Retired Associate Superintendent of Fiscal Services for Deer Valley Unifi ed School District (Superintendent Representative). David Peterson – Superintendent of Scottsdale Unifi ed School District (Superintendent Representative). thomas Pickrell – General Counsel for Mesa Public Schools (Large District & Legal Representative). Jennifer reynolds – Parent of four school aged children (Parent Representative). carol Weekly – Director of Child Nutrition at Queen Creek Unifi ed School District (Health & Nutrition Representative). travis Zander – CFO at Agua Fria Union High School District (High School & School Finance Representative). title 15 Working Group Members Diane Douglas Superintendent of Public Instruction