Sen. Edgar Malepeai, D-Pocatello, who said he's one of just three senators in the chamber who's taught as a classroom teacher, told the Senate, "I do know something about this. This bill is going to hit at the heart of every teacher. ... This I do know."

Sen. Dan Schmidt, D-Moscow, is offering his first debate in the Senate, speaking against SB 1108. He said he appreciated the full reading of the bill, and thought it was important.  "I do not believe that this bill will improve local control," Schmidt said. "I think it will create chaos and disturbance," particularly for small school districts like those in his region. "I do not believe this bill leads us toward quality," he said. With his comments, every Democratic senator in the chamber has now spoken against the bill.

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