Four-hour hearing wraps up; testimony was nearly 6-1 against Luna reform plan

“You’ve been a very gracious and a very patient audience,” Rep. Maxine Bell said as today’s unprecedented public hearing on school funding concluded - at noon, after four full hours. Overall, nearly 80 people testified. By my count, only 14 spoke in favor of state Superintendent of Schools Tom Luna’s far-reaching school reform plan, and two of those wanted changes in it (that figure also includes two children who testified in favor of their virtual education); the plan calls for raising class sizes and moving to more online classes to pay for a boost in technology, a laptop for every high-school student and merit pay for teachers, along with other changes. Nearly all of the others testifying today - 65 people by my count, from all over the state - spoke in strong opposition to the plan; that’s nearly a six-to-one margin against.