The voting has been deadlocked to date, but a proposal is on the table to at least consider merging Colorado's systems of K-12 and higher education.

State Rep. Paul Weissmann, D-Louisville, is sponsoring House Joint Resolution (HJR) 1027, with Sen. Nancy Spence, R-Centennial, sponsoring on the Senate side.

The resolution begins with a "whereas," saying that "many people" believe there are disconnects between K-12 and higher education systems, in Colorado and across the nation. Also, it says Gov. Bill Ritter established the Governor's P-20 (preschool to grad school) Education Coordinating Council in 2007.

The resolution says that one step towards creating a "streamlined" statewide education system would be to merge the state's Department of Education (K-12, DoE) and the Department of Higher Education (DHE).

Weissmann said Wednesday that he thinks the main reason to consider a merger would be to examine opportunities for greater efficiencies in government. He said the DoE and DHE are currently working on similar issues, including preparing students of all ages for eventual entry into the work force.

"We've asked them to coordinate a program - courses of study and everything else - but they're still under two departments," said Weissmann.

On the other hand, the state's Director of DHE David Skaggs said on Wednesday that he and Dwight Jones, the state's Commissioner of (K-12) Education already work together very well. Skaggs said the staffs of DHE and DoE also work together on a regular basis.

"We realize we have very appropriate interest in each other's success, and that we are at risk if the other doesn't do well, so we're trying to help each other get along," said Skaggs. "Whether a formal melding of the departments would enhance that at all, I think, is highly doubtful."

But as it stood Wednesday, there would still be a long road ahead before any possible merger would come to fruition.

The resolution has yet to move out of the House Education Committee, since the most recent vote taken on 1027 finished in a 6-6 tie. Rep. Judy Solano, D-Brighton, was absent, and Weissmann said Solano should be in attendance Thursday.

If 1027 clears the committee, it would move on to the entire House and possibly the Senate, and Weissmann said Ritter's signature is not necessary for approval if both chambers vote in favor of the resolution.

The resolution as written calls for the creation of a legislative committee, which would meet after the end of the 2008 session. The interim committee would study the feasibility of merging DoE and DHE.

Weissmann said the state's Legislative Council has approved a potential committee from 1027 as the second interim committee that could be funded, which means money is in the budget if the General Assembly decides the study should go forward. He said interim committees normally convene in July or later, but background research could begin much sooner.

Also, a proposal to merge DoE and DHE might lead to a merger or other changes involving the State Board of (K-12) Education and the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE). This could lead to the need for a constitutional amendment ballot issue in the future, since Article IX of the state constitution spells out issues pertaining to the Board of Education.

Weissmann said it is possible that combining CCHE and the Board could lead to "significant" fiscal savings for the state, but he didn't offer a dollar amount Wednesday.

He also said timing has something to do with his carrying the resolution in 2008.

Weissmann said, and Skaggs concurred, that the DHE and DoE have had strained relationships in the past.

"This is the first time in my legislative history where the Department of Education, and the Commissioner Dwight Jones, is working well with Higher Education and David Skaggs," said Weissmann. "Frankly, if the study comes through and says, 'We think it's a good idea to merge,' then you sure would want people who work well together to make that happen."

Skaggs said it would not be appropriate for him, as a member of the state's executive branch, to take a position on whether the General Assembly should authorize a study.

"But the interesting thing we found by just doing a very quick survey is that there are very few states that have tried to combine the two departments," said Skaggs. "Most have remained separate, I think, because the missions and the cultures are very distinct. And in the states where there's been a combination at least in name, the functions have remained essentially separated in fact."

If 1027 goes forward as written, the eight-member study committee would include the chair of the Senate and House Education Committees or alternate designees; two appointed members from the House and Senate; the executive director of CCHE or a designee; and the Commissioner of Education or a designee.

Weissmann said he's been studying the issue of merging DoE and DHE for years, but didn't believe a resolution would have solid political support until this year. Also, if he is re-elected in 2008, he would be term-limited at the end of his two-year term, and he said he would like to be involved as a legislator with the implementation of a possible merger.

"And David Skaggs may be right that it won't be as effective as I think it will be, but that's the whole purpose of the study," said Weissmann.

Contact Richard Valenty about this story at (303) 443-6272, ext. 126 or at valenty@coloradodaily.com.