Legislature(1999 - 2000)
03/03/2000 09:01 AM Senate FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SENATE BILL NO. 198
"An Act increasing the base student allocation
component of the public school funding formula; and
providing for an effective date."
Senator Wilken as sponsor gave an overview of this
legislation. He noted that this bill simply provided that
an additional fifty dollars be added to the student dollar
for K-12 foundation formula. He pointed out that the
foundation formula puts a demand on state resources in the
amount of $19.96 million dollars less than the year before.
He noted that this legislation recognizes that part of this
money, if not all of it, is education. He continued that
this $19.96 million is generated by three things: the
first, Alaska has fewer students, federal monies have
increased since last year, and through the efforts in the
last decade of this legislature and others, the assessed
value of Alaska continues to grow. He summarized that
these three aspects contributed to a $20 million dollar
reduction to the state's resources. He felt as though the
increase in funding outlined in SB 198 would provide relief
to various communities.
MALCOLM FLEMING, Principal Seward High School testified via
teleconference from Seward. He pointed out how this
district is slated to loose three regular teachers and one
special education teacher due to falling enrollments, along
with the effects of budget cuts. He added that if they had
been able to use the funding formula from 1996 - 1997, the
district would presently have four more teachers on staff.
He outlined the additional effects budget cuts would have
on the Seward school district.
ROYCE CHAPMAN, Fairbanks School Board testified via
teleconference from Fairbanks. He noted that the Fairbanks
district is faced with a $4 million-dollar gap in funding.
He declared that the district made up $3 million of this
deficit through cuts to administrative areas, which did not
have a direct affect on student programs. He gave an
overview of other such efforts, including shortfalls
anticipated in the future.
CYNTHIA HENRY, President, Fairbanks School Board testified
via teleconference from Fairbanks. She stated that the
board recently held two public hearings and heard from 80
citizens regarding the Fairbanks school budget. She noted
that every participant requested the reinstatement of those
programs already cut because of budget shortages. She
explained that the district would eventually ease subsidies
to their charter school contingents. She spoke to loosing
children from the district due to program cuts.
Tape: SFC - 00 #46, Side A, 10:36 AM
CARTER CRAWFORD, testified via teleconference from
Fairbanks. She stated her support for SB 198 and education
generally as a high priority. She added that education
should not be considered an expense just because it is a
budget item. She countered that drops in enrollment should
be an opportunity for districts to increase Alaska's
commitment to existing students.
PATRICK HICKEY testified via teleconference from Kenai.
He noted that Kenai's property taxes have increased to the
point where the state should realize a reduction of revenue
at $781,000 next year. He stated his support for this
legislation.
Catherine DeLacee, President, Soldotna Elementary Sight
Council, testified via teleconference from Kenai. She
stated that the Council unanimously supports this
legislation. She stated that the local school there had to
"pink slip" four teachers recently and she noted that
teachers have had to pay for supplies out of their pockets
for the last three years.
SCOT WHEAT testified via teleconference from Homer and
voiced his support for this legislation.
RICK HARNESS testified via teleconference from Homer. He
stated his support of the previous testimony.
DEBBIE COOK testified via teleconference from Fairbanks.
She stated wholeheartedly her support for this legislation
in face of budget shortfalls. She felt as though education
of Alaskan children should be its highest priority.
CARL ROSE, Executive Director, Association of Alaska School
Boards stated that the state has been on the move to
improve the quality of education in Alaska. He noted that
the intent of previous legislation namely, SB 36 was to
inject $26 million into the education system. He asserted
that this legislation was to offset enrollment declines and
increased property values as a local contribution to
education. He stated that his organization supports this
legislation because the weight of money generated by it
will go towards the children directly.
VERNON MARSHALL, Executive Director, NEA (National
Education Association) Alaska stated that his organization
supports the $50 increase as allowed for by this
legislation. He added that the NEA would gladly support an
amendment to raise the basic student allocation to $4,040
in an effort to restore the $19.17 million as recommended
by the governor. He noted that this money would go a long
way to preparing students for the 2002 exit exams. He also
stated a concern with the quality schools initiative as
presented in SB 244. He pointed out that this effort would
require additional personnel, materials and training. He
outlined the specific related cost ramifications of this
initiative as well.
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