A controversial teacher bill took another step forward in its legislative journey Monday as it narrowly passed the House appropriations committee to set up a vote today on the House floor.
But Monday's 7-6 approval in committee of Senate Bill 191 was fraught with emotion, a recurring theme as the bitterly fought legislation linking teacher evaluations to student academic growth and changing the way teachers get and keep nonprobationary status makes its way through the legislature.
"This is the most difficult bill that I've dealt with since I've been down here," said Rep. Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver, whose parents are teachers.
"There is a lot of emotion on this bill from both sides," said Ferrandino, who broke down in tears before voting for the bill.
Ferrandino, who credited special-education teachers for getting him through school, said he understands "how hard teachers work."
"To go against them and hear their reactions and come down on a different side was very hard," he said.
Ferrandino and Rep. Jim Riesberg, D-Greeley, were the only Democrats in committee to vote for the bill.
All Republican committee members supported it, repeating the party-line theme of the bill's progress.
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