A Bill for Education Privatization in the Colorado Legislature

by: Fong

Tue Feb 01, 2011 at 08:45:00 AM MST

Here's a .pdf of the bill

22-44-402.  Legislative declaration.  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HEREBY FINDS AND DECLARES THAT, AS FINANCIAL RESOURCES ARE IMPACTED BY THE ECONOMY, MAKING MONEYS AVAILABLE FOR CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION BECOMES INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT YET VITALLY IMPORTANT.  SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REVIEW THEIR BUDGETS AND SEEK COMPETITIVE BIDS FOR NONINSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES, SUCH AS CUSTODIAL, TRANSPORTATION, AND FOOD SERVICES TO DETERMINE IF COST SAVINGS CAN BE ACHIEVED BY OUTSOURCING THOSE SERVICES TO INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS.

But obviously such a bill would cost the cash-poor districts some money to implement and sustain this unfortunately prevalent brand of conservative-hypocritical bureaucracy. Could it pay off in the long-run? Well, they don't know.

From the .pdf fiscal note from the Legislative Council Staff :  

In the short run, some amount of existing district resources will be diverted to review all non instructional support services prior to the September 30, 2011, deadline. Once the reviews are completed, these 19 districts are required to prepare Requests for Proposals (RFP) and obtain bids for these services. This will add workload to district purchasing departments. If competitive bids for non instructional services can be obtained for less money than is currently spent for these services, the district will realize a cost savings; however, no estimate of this savings is available.

By always voting for revenue cut after revenue cut after government corporate subsidy, it looks really bad that the Republican sponsors have done everything in their legislative power to aggravate our dismal revenue situation. Couple that with how they've voted to cut money to education and you have fanatic insanity!

Instead of going to Ed, the bill is going to the Senate State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee where bills go to die but still, the intention is clear.