2/3/23
By Kevin Taylor
Alma Schools
Alma superintendent of schools, Dr. Bryan Duffie has always enjoyed watching the legislature work its magic. He believes they’ve noticed him along the way, too. (Which can be a good thing).
Dr. Duffie spent much of his time watching bills come and go last month, sometimes from the floor in Little Rock and other times online. The Arkansas State Legislature 94th General Assembly’s regular session will meet for up to five weeks.
Alma’s superintendent of schools had a front-row seat. So did Alma High School Principal Brian Kirkendoll.
“I had Mr. Kirkendoll with me (last week); he’s the president of our administrator's association this year,” Dr. Duffie said. “We had breakfast with the chair of the senate education committee (Jane English); that’s time well spent in sharing not only what’s going on in Alma but from the state’s perspective, too. My premise of being involved is we don’t get better until we all get better, and we don’t get better until we get better as a state.
“Our involvement at the local level helps influence what happens in the state.”
“As being part of AAEA (Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators), we have a lot of impact on Education bills in the house and the senate,” Kirkendoll said. “There’s a lot more clarity now from being there. I learned from seeing. We research what bills are coming up and what bills are being filed.”
Once a bill is filed, it has to endure a few checks and balances. This is intriguing to Dr. Duffie.
“Being involved in the process, giving direct feedback to our area legislatures, and others throughout the state, it helps to have a voice,” Dr. Duffie said. “Even though you may not change someone’s position, they’re at least aware of the multiple viewpoints out there that might influence the code that’s being presented.”
Presenting bills is a process that begins with the House Committee. Senators, representatives, and eventually the governor will have their way.
“Understanding what bills are being filed and why they’re being filed, and how it benefits or if it doesn’t benefit education,” Kirkendoll said. “Even though it’s complicated, it’s not really if you know the process,” Kirkendoll said. “And we’re being seen, and when they see us, they think Alma is being represented.”
“It’s important for all of us, no matter what our role is, to be informed,” Dr. Duffie said. “If people are so inclined, give input to their senator. I encourage them…not to be vocal just to be vocal, but to share their views. In my position, just being present helps - talking face-to-face with our senators and representatives is important.