By John Mayo

It's 1:13 and we are on HB 104--New School Bill.

Chairman Cecil Brown is explaining the bill.  A lot of questions are being asked.

It's 1:49 and time for amendments.  Rep. Herb Frierson is offering the amendment I talked about earlier.  I am co-author and will talk after he finishes.

It's 2:03 and I just sat down after talking in support of the amendment I mentioned in an earlier e-mail.  I started by saying, "It's awkward to be up here supporting something the gentleman from Pearl River offers, but I am.  I have opposed these bills for 11 years, but this amendment is limited in scope and gives the department another tool to turn our schools around."

I won't go into detail, but I did say, "we have tried everything we can and we are still failing.  We are mandated to adopt this amendment to give our children an opportunity to excel.  Our changes can no longer be temporary as when the department takes over a school, but they must be permanent ones."

Rep.  Espy is talking in support of the amendment now.  He is telling about his own experiences.

The amendment applies only to failing schools.   This amendment allows the Department of Education to contract with a recognized organization to manage the school. The amendment passes 75-43, also indicating what the final vote should be.

I don't want anyone to get a wrong idea.  I will not support a blanket charter school bill that allows any group that comes along to form a charter school.  If they address failing schools and failing or at risk of failing schools, I am in.

Another amendment is being made by Rep Rufus Straughter of Belzoni to insure that the children in a New Start school will remain in the New Start school without the necessity of application.

It passed unanimously.

Another is being offered by Rep. John Hines of Greenville to have MDE identify a community advisory committee to help identify the new principal  (not select-this is being done in the Chicago example where New Schools originated).  I will vote for this one.  It passes by voice vote.

Another amendment is being offered by Rep. Bryant Clark to have MDE re-evaluate all professional employees performances in a new school before termination - it's a lengthy amendment, but one that sounds reasonable.  And, gives an avenue for the teachers to reapply for employment in the school or elsewhere or terminated permanently if they get an unsatisfactory rating. 

I'll vote for this one, too.   It passes by voice vote.

Another amendment is about to be offered.  This amendment from the lady from Jones. Omeria Scott is explaining her amendment would set up an education plan, parental involvement plan, and study plans for each child.  While I would expect this to occur anyway, there is no harm in putting it into law.  I'll vote for this one, too.

It's 2:20. We are given so much time to present an amendment and the lady did not get through.

Now, there is a break to determine what all is in the amendment.  The part that was not explained was, according to the chair of the committee, very detailed as to what a teacher should do each part of the day.  I think I'll vote "No," now. Rep. Scott is closing on her amendment...and is she passionate.

It's 2:42 and questions are being asked of Rep. Scott and she has been gaveled to end.

The amendment passed by voice vote...I shouted "No."

Now the speaker is recognizing persons to speak for or against the bill.

We are now closing on the bill.  Rep.  Brown is making closing remarks....It's 2:54

The board is being opened for a vote ---86-31, the vote passes.   It's 2:55.