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 |
---|