Legislature(2001 - 2002)
2002-02-04 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2002-02-04 Senate Journal Page 2106 SB 276 SENATE BILL NO. 276 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to increasing the base student allocation and the maximum amount of quality school funding grants for public schools; changing the name of quality school funding grants to 'learning opportunity grants'; relating to the reduction of supplementary public school funding; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education and Social Services and Finance Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Education and Early Development Governor's transmittal letter dated January 31: Dear President Halford: Investment in education is necessary to achieve school excellence in Alaska. This bill that I transmit today increases the per-student allocation for school funding and continues the current funding level for quality school grants. It also suspends the reduction of supplementary public school funding. 2002-02-04 Senate Journal Page 2107 This legislation is built on the recommendations of the Education Funding Task Force presented to the Legislature in 2001. The task force identified a five-year plan of specific initiatives and programs to improve student achievement in Alaska. The Legislature last year partially funded the recommended base student allocation in the school funding formula -- increasing it by $70 as opposed to the $115 the task force proposed. This bill continues toward completion of the five-year plan by increasing the base student allocation by $108 per student, from the current $4,010 to $4,118. This increase will provide the resources to ensure that all of Alaska's children have opportunities to meet the high academic standards necessary to succeed in today's world. The base student allocation increases are just one piece of the funding commitment we need to make to achieve academic excellence in our schools. Another piece is continuing the currently funded maximum amount of the quality school funding grants (renamed the "learning opportunity grants" in this bill). Following the task force recommendations, the maximum grant amount would be set in statute at $74 per average daily membership, up from the $16 now in statute. The legislature last year provided one-time funding for higher learning opportunity grants. Improvement in student performance requires a continuous commitment of resources. Finally, the bill would suspend the reduction of supplementary public school funding until fiscal year 2004, when a district cost factor study is complete. The current law funds growth in some districts at only 60 cents on the dollar, sending the wrong message to students and families. This bill represents an investment in our children and Alaska's future. If we are serious about preparing all of our children for the workforce and the challenges of this new century, we must provide the necessary resources. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor