2003-03-06                     Senate Journal                      Page 0396
SB 110                                                                                            
SENATE BILL NO. 110 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                   
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                               
                                                                                                    
             "An Act relating to admission to and advancement in                                   
               public schools of children under school age; 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 March 5:                                                        
                                                                                                    
Dear President Therriault:                                                                          
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am                          
transmitting a bill which clarifies local school district programs for                              
under-school-age students.                                                                          
                                                                                                    
Pursuant to existing statutes, a district may enroll a four year old child,                         
referred to as an "under school age student." The intent of this bill is to                         
prohibit districts from constructing curriculums that offer two years of                            
kindergarten as a standard program. Early entry of four year olds into                              
the school system should be a rare event and reserved for the truly                                 
exceptional child.                                                                                  
                                                                                                    
This bill would remove a school district's ability to offer early entry as                          
standard practice to access the foundation formula and provide state                                
funded pre-school programs. Currently, districts can enroll four year                               
olds and then enroll them again as a kindergarten student in the next                               
school year. This action effectively provides a child with two years of                             
kindergarten with very little in the way of extra expense to the district.                          

2003-03-06                     Senate Journal                      Page 0397
The result to the state is an additional year of per pupil funding                                  
equating to approximately $3.9 million.                                                             
                                                                                                    
Enrolling four year olds as the current statute provides should be                                  
retained. However, early enrolled children should be expected to                                    
advance through to the next grade level or grade level equivalent.                                  
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                            
                                                                                                    
Sincerely,                                                                                          
/s/                                                                                                 
Frank H. Murkowski                                                                                  
Governor