Legislature(2011 - 2012)CAPITOL 106
02/25/2011 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation(s): Pribilof School District | |
| HB5 | |
| HB93 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 5 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 104 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 93 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 93-SCHOOL GARDENS, GREENHOUSES, AND FARMS
8:58:56 AM
CHAIR DICK announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 93, "An Act relating to school gardens,
greenhouses, and farms."
9:00:23 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON moved to adopt the committee substitute
(CS) for HB 93, labeled 27-LS0227\I, Mischel, 2/23/11. With no
objection, Version I was adopted as the working draft.
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON objected for discussion.
9:01:08 AM
CHAIR DICK read the three changes, reflected in Version I, to
wit [original punctuation provided]:
Sec. 5. ... (b) ... not more than $10,000 for each
school ...;
Sec. 5. ... (c) The department may not, in a fiscal
year, award grants for the operation of more than five
gardens, greenhouses, or farms that were not
previously the subject of a grant award under this
section; and
Sec. 6. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is
amended by adding a new section to read:
GRANTS FOR SCHOOL GARDENS, GREENHOUSES, AND FARMS.
Notwithstanding the limitation placed on the number of
new grants awarded for the operation of a school
garden, greenhouse, or farm under AS 14.30.377(c),
added by sec. 5 of this Act, the department may award
grants for the operation of not more than 10 gardens,
greenhouses, or farms in fiscal year 2010.
9:02:30 AM
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON noted that seven schools currently have
gardens, and referred to Section 5, subsection (c), to surmise
that the proposed limit of five would eliminate two of the
existing gardens.
9:03:34 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DAVID GUTTENBERG, Alaska State Legislature,
explained that the gardens in place now would come under statute
in the transitional year. Thus, in 2012, ten schools could be
funded, and each proceeding year five could join the program.
To a follow up he underscored that the bill covers programs not
previously subject to the grant awards.
9:04:40 AM
JAY HARDENBROOK, Staff, Representative David Guttenberg, Alaska
State Legislature, clarified that the first year [2012] creates
a baseline of ten programs, and every year after five can be
added. The seven existing programs could apply for the grant
the first year, and a total of ten would be eligible to receive
grants.
9:05:25 AM
REPRESENTATIVE FEIGE asked if there is an amended fiscal note.
CHAIR DICK indicated that the fiscal note will be forthcoming,
and will show $100,000 for the first year and increases of
$50,000 for proceeding years.
REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG reviewed how the fiscal note was
calculated, and said it is not expected that every grant will be
awarded.
9:07:16 AM
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON expressed a desire to have the program
benefit as many schools as possible, and stated her hope that
successful programs will become self sustaining; otherwise the
grant will increase by $50,000 every year. She asked how many
different school buildings exist statewide.
REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG deferred to the department regarding
the number of school buildings, and said that EED will
administer the grants. He pointed out that Fairbanks will not
need a grant, and said having more schools with programs will
represent a success.
9:09:39 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI asked how the department envisions
taking applications, if it's a competitive process.
9:10:09 AM
MARK LEWIS, Manager, Administrative Operations, Division of
Teaching and Learning Support, Department of Education and Early
Development (EED), answered that a competitive grant application
process would be established. The potential exists for a
successful district to receive the total fund, and win, if no
other districts indicated interest, or fail the application
process.
9:10:58 AM
REPRESENTATIVE FEIGE opined that a particular greenhouse could
receive $10,000 per year in perpetuity.
MR. LEWIS said, yes.
REPRESENTATIVE FEIGE asked at what point the greenhouses could
expect to become self sustaining and be weaned off of state
support.
MR. LEWIS indicated that it would depend on the school district.
Nothing would prohibit a district from taking over the
operational costs. However, he deferred to districts regarding
how each may choose to handle the program.
REPRESENTATIVE FEIGE noted that there's no incentive, for a
school district to discontinue state support.
MR. LEWIS that is correct.
9:12:50 AM
CHAIR DICK suggested that the inclusion of language specific to
the re-application process and requiring activity reports, could
provide a means to limit continued access to state funding.
9:13:14 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG pointed out that many schools have
greenhouses that are lying fallow, possibly due to the lack of a
steady funding stream, which is important to ensure continuity
for a program. To a follow-up question, he said that many times
a single person generates the enthusiasm for a garden program,
and speculated that, if the key person leaves the community, the
matching funds would cease.
9:14:55 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA interjected that performance standards
would need to be met, and maintained, in order to continue
funding.
9:15:33 AM
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON noted that there is no limit in the
bill, to wean programs off of state funding, and speculated
that, through yearly exponential increases, in ten years the
fiscal note could mushroom to $500,000. She stated support for
the program, and said the burden should not be placed entirely
on education funding. The bill indicates a strong
entrepreneurial involvement; and entity which should share the
cost.
9:18:34 AM
REPRESENTATIVE FEIGE acknowledged the importance for start-up
money, and suggested that the bill could stipulate a decreased
grant award with each renewal of a particular program to provide
incentive for diversification of funding sources.
REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG explained that the cooperating entity
must hold a 501C3 non-profit status, which eliminates the
possibility of corporate participation. Further, he said that
sustained funding is important, and the proposal is for the
state to match the non-profits contributions. He underscored
that these programs are a significant benefit to the students,
and that rural schools, growing local produce, will represent a
great success.
9:22:42 AM
AL POINDEXTER, Retired Teacher, expressed concern that HB 93
might create competition between the state, effectively
subsidizing non-profits, and private enterprise farmers.
However, if the goal is to educate children, then certified
teachers should be required to work with the students. He
reported that he was restricted from volunteering to instruct a
class, as his teaching certificate has expired. A non-profit
may lack the scope to meet educational needs, but the national
program, Future Farmers of America (FFA), established in 1923,
could be enlivened for students at the high school level. He
reported that, although there are perhaps three today, 27 FFA
Chapters once existed in Alaska, and he reviewed the technical
and vocational merits, which he opined as being more valuable
and appropriate than a school garden. The garden program may be
useful at the elementary level, he agreed. Further, he
questioned the relationship that was reported between the garden
and school lunch programs and the exchange of revenue, as well
as the disposition of funds garnered from the sale of excess
produce. The awareness that these programs, including FFA
related, revolve around a motivated individual is accurate, he
said.
REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG said the involvement of FFA is hoped
for and would be welcomed.
MR. POINDEXTER reported that FFA chapters exist in Palmer,
Kodiak, and North Pole. Finally, he opined that the bill needs
more work, and offered to make himself available.
9:32:23 AM
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON returned to the comment that Mr.
Poindexter has been prohibited from volunteering his teaching
services, and asked for further details.
MR. POINDEXTER reported that the teachers union disallowed him
to volunteer services as a Natural Resources teacher, due to the
lapse of his teaching certificate.
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON asked whether lessons could have been
scheduled the lesson outside of school hours, and for
clarification whether it was the teachers union or FFA
restrictions that prohibited his actions.
MR. POINDEXTER said FFA requires that the program be
administered through a scheduled school class, and the rules of
the state were apparently being violated.
9:34:24 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA encouraged the witness to pursue further
involvement, and become a vital part in what the sponsor is
hoping to create.
MR. POINDEXTER stated that he runs a commercial greenhouse;
however he said he would be interested in assisting to operate
an FFA program; current rules do not allow him to volunteer his
services.
9:36:22 AM
SUSAN WILLSRUD, Director, Calypso Farm and Ecology Center, said
an FFA Chapter exists in Fairbanks, but the program is not
thriving. She opined that HB93 could serve to enliven FFA in
Alaska.
The committee took an at-ease from 9:37 a.m. to 9:38 a.m.
9:39:09 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON requested that information be provided
from EED regarding the certification requirements brought to the
fore by the preceding witness. Specifically, are restrictions
imposed at the state or district level, and what is the
relationship regarding the teachers union. The bill establishes
a program outside of the state certificated requirements and it
will be important to understand any restrictions that need to be
considered.
9:40:19 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON offered Conceptual Amendment 1 to, page 2,
line 4, following the word "sold" insert "if reinvested in the
program". The intent of Conceptual Amendment 1 is to address
the concern for competition regarding the sale of excess
produce, he said.
The committee took an at-ease from 9:40 a.m. to 9:42 a.m.
9:42:11 AM
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON objected for discussion.
9:42:16 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON requested a response from EED whether the
participating non-profits, or the garden master, are required to
be teacher certified.
9:43:10 AM
CYNDY CURRAN, Director, Division of Teaching and Learning
Support, Department of Education and Early Development (EED),
indicated that she would research the requirements and provide
the information to the committee.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON acknowledged that the type "M" certificate
may cover the situation, and asked the department to provide
adequate assurance that it would align with the bill.
9:45:18 AM
MS. WILLSRUD interjected that the Calypso farm staff act as
assistants to the state certified teachers; farm staff do not
instruct without the presence of a teacher.
9:46:43 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON established that the proposed state
statute is not setting up a program for non-teachers to act in a
capacity other than as aides or resources to accomplish the goal
of a school garden; nor is the state authorizing independent
supervision of students, during the school day, by non-teachers.
9:47:21 AM
CHAIR DICK interjected that the intent of state statute is to
ensure the safety of children, while not limiting access to
individuals who are knowledgeable resources.
9:47:31 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA asked whether Calypso pays its helpers.
MS. WILLSRUD responded that the garden assistants are trained
and vetted, and act as volunteers receiving a stipend.
9:49:23 AM
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON removed her objection to Conceptual
Amendment 1.
CHAIR DICK, hearing no further objection, announced that
Conceptual Amendment 1 was adopted.
9:50:35 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON moved to report the CSHB 93, Version I, as
amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and
the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no further
objection, CSHB 93 (EDC), 27-LS0227\I, Mischel, 2/23/11, was
moved from the House Education Standing Committee, as amended.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|