Risa Evans

HB 656 helps to ensure continued local involvement in and control over education. When local school boards face very attractive and tempting offers of federal funding, local citizens should have an opportunity to fully vet the requirements of and policies furthered by the funding, before the funding is accepted. Community members who object to the funding because the policies that it furthers are inconsistent with local values or priorities should have the opportunity to raise their concerns at a public hearing, during which school board members are available to respond to those concerns. Thank you for supporting this bill.