The Senate Education Committee of the North Dakota State Legislature convened on February 18, 2025, to discuss key legislative proposals impacting career and technical education (CTE) and special education. The meeting, chaired by Senator Beard, featured two primary agenda items: House Bill 1188 and House Bill 1261.

The first item, House Bill 1188, was presented by Representative Mike Lafore. He highlighted the need for adjustments to the current fee assessment structure for area career and technology centers. Under existing law, fees are based solely on school membership, which can disproportionately burden smaller schools that are geographically distant from the centers. Lafore emphasized that this bill would allow centers to assess fees based on both student population and actual utilization of programs, thereby promoting local control and fairness.

Lafore provided examples, noting that schools like Beach High School, located 62 miles from the Southwest CTE Academy, face prohibitive costs under the current system. He argued that the proposed changes would enable more students from rural areas to access CTE programs without imposing excessive financial burdens on their districts. The bill aims to create a more equitable funding model that reflects the varying levels of participation among different schools.

Wade Sick, the state director for the Department of Career and Technical Education, supported the bill, stating that it was developed through consensus among CTE center directors across the state. He reiterated the importance of flexibility in fee assessments to accommodate the diverse needs of member schools. Aaron Anderson, director of the Southwest Area CTE Academy, also testified in favor of the bill, sharing specific examples of how the current fee structure limits participation from smaller schools.

The committee members engaged in discussions regarding the potential impact of the bill on larger districts, with assurances that they were prepared to manage any increased costs associated with the new funding model. After deliberation, the committee voted unanimously in favor of House Bill 1188, recommending it for passage.

The second item on the agenda, House Bill 1261, was introduced by Representative Cynthia Schreiberbeck. This bill seeks to remove outdated sections of code related to special education strategist credentials, following the transfer of authority for issuing special education endorsements to the Education Standards and Practices Board. Schreiberbeck described the bill as a necessary cleanup of the existing code. The committee agreed to recommend House Bill 1261 for passage as well.

In conclusion, the Senate Education Committee's meeting on February 18, 2025, resulted in significant progress for both career and technical education and special education legislation, with a focus on enhancing access and equity for students across North Dakota. The committee's recommendations will now move forward for further consideration in the legislative process.