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Panel OKs outdoor-education pilot; committee attaches DOE-requested amendment expanding personal leave
Summary
The committee approved legislation authorizing a Department of Education pilot for outdoor education and attached a Department-requested amendment (AM490232) that raises the allowable use of accumulated sick leave for personal days from three to five days for school personnel.
Sen. Hatchett, joined in sponsorship by Sen. Grama, presented legislation authorizing the Department of Education to establish a pilot program for outdoor education in public schools. "What it is is it it just allows the Department of Education to establish a pilot program for outdoor education," Hatchett said, noting personal experience with outdoor classrooms in middle school.
Committee members described outdoor classrooms as supportive of hands-on learning across subjects, including science, writing and art. Sen. Steele described donating and building an outdoor classroom for an elementary school and said such spaces can transform underused campus areas into instructional environments.
During consideration the committee received a late amendment from the Department of Education, AM 490232, that adds language allowing local school systems to permit personnel to use up to five days of accumulated sick leave for personal reasons (the prior maximum had been three days). The sponsor said the change was requested by DOE and that the amendment does not carry a fiscal note. One senator voiced concern that the change could be perceived as usurping local school-board authority to set personnel policies; the sponsor and other supporters said the amendment provides clarification and additional flexibility.
The committee voted to attach the amendment and then voted to pass the bill as amended. The transcript does not record a roll-call breakdown for the final committee passage of the underlying bill.
Why it matters: Supporters said the pilot could expand outdoor, experiential instruction that benefits student engagement and learning. The amendment responds to a DOE request to provide clarity and a uniform maximum on personal leave use during the school year.
Next steps: The bill, as amended by AM 490232, was approved in committee and will proceed according to Senate rules to further consideration.
