Legislature(2019 - 2020)DAVIS 106
03/04/2020 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
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| HB236 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
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| += | HB 236 | TELECONFERENCED | |
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ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
March 4, 2020
8:02 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Harriet Drummond, Co-Chair
Representative Andi Story, Co-Chair
Representative Grier Hopkins
Representative Chris Tuck
Representative Tiffany Zulkosky
Representative Mike Prax
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative DeLena Johnson
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 236
"An Act relating to education; increasing the base student
allocation; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 236
SHORT TITLE: INCREASE BASE STUDENT ALLOCATION
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) STORY
02/05/20 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/05/20 (H) EDC, FIN
02/26/20 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
02/26/20 (H) Heard & Held
02/26/20 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
03/04/20 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
WITNESS REGISTER
MARY HAKALA, Staff
Representative Andi Story
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 236 on behalf of
Representative Story, prime sponsor.
DEENA BISHOP, Ed.D. Superintendent
Anchorage School District
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 236.
MEILA NEELEY, Student
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 236.
KRISTIN RUTLEDGE
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 236.
KAY ANDREWS, President
Southwest Region School District School Board
Alaknagik, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 236.
ROBIN JONES, President
Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP)
New Stuyahok, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 236.
PATRICK MAYER, Superintendent
Aleutians East Borough School District
Sand Point, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 236.
JIM ANDERSON, CFO
Anchorage School District
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 236.
PEGGY COWAN
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 236.
TOM KLAAMEYER, President
Anchorage Education Association
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 236.
PENNY VADLA, President
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 236.
DEENA MITCHELL, Board Member
Anchorage School District
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 236.
BETH SHORT RHOADS
Sitka, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 236.
ANDY HOLLOMAN
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 236.
MARGO BELLAMY, Board Member
Anchorage School District
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 236.
SEAN CONE
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 236.
CRIS EICHENLAUB
Eagle River, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 236.
HERMAN MORGAN
Aniak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition of HB 236.
RALPH WATKINS, Superintendent
Hoonah City School District
Hoonah, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 236.
SEANNA O'SULLIVAN
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 236.
BILL BJORK
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 236.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:02:45 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY called the House Education Standing Committee
meeting to order at 8:02 a.m. Representatives Prax, Zulkosky,
Hopkins, Tuck, and Story were present at the call to order.
Representative Drummond arrived as the meeting was in progress.
HB 236-INCREASE BASE STUDENT ALLOCATION
[Contains discussion of HB 181.]
8:03:45 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY announced that the only order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 236 "An Act relating to education; increasing
the base student allocation; and providing for an effective
date."
CO-CHAIR STORY, as prime sponsor, presented HB 236. She stated
that HB 236 would amend the Base Student Allocation (BSA), which
she described as a key element in determining the amount of
state education funding. She explained that under HB 236, the
fiscal year 2021 (FY 21) the BSA amount per pupil would increase
by $115; it would incorporate the FY 20 $30 million allocation
into the formula, and the FY 22 BSA would increase by $110. She
explained that the amounts were derived using a 2.25 percent
increase, which is the standard inflation proofing rate used by
the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation in its projections. She
noted that the two increases in HB 236 represent flat funding on
FY 21, and inflation adjusted spending in FY 22. She explained
that should HB 236 fail to pass, Alaska schools and students
would endure a reduction of $30 million in funding.
8:05:17 AM
MARY HAKALA, Staff, Representative Andi Story, Alaska State
Legislature, provided information on HB 236 on behalf of
Representative Story, prime sponsor. She explained that the
items included in the committee packet include a revised
sectional analysis correcting a typographical error; a revised
school funding background document correcting a typographical
error; and an analysis of funding for public education published
by the University of Alaska, Anchorage Institute on Social and
Economic Research (ISER). She noted that the committee packet
also included public testimony submitted by 75 individuals. She
expressed that any additional written testimony provided for HB
236 would be distributed to the committee. She remained
available to answer any questions.
8:07:01 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY announced that the committee would hear public
testimony [originally opened on 2/26/20] on HB 236.
8:07:25 AM
DEENA BISHOP, Ed.D. Superintendent, Anchorage School District,
testified in support of HB 236. She stated that HB 236 would
provide the first increase to BSA since FY 16/17, and that
inflationary costs coupled with flat funding have resulted in
challenges to maintaining class size and student outcome
strategic plan execution. She noted that funds received in
addition to the BSA have softened the impacts of flat funding of
the BSA; however, one-time funding has created uncertainty. She
explained that the Anchorage School District (ASD) budget
deadline takes place in early March, which necessitates the
Anchorage School Board to adopt a budget in February. She
explained that increased demands on ASD, including that of
special education, had resulted in cuts to general education
programs. She noted that ASD had used 27 percent of its
available reserves in an attempt to maintain services; however,
the community expectation of ASD is that students should
demonstrate growth. She explained that ASD is endeavoring to
identify efficiencies and realize cost savings wherever possible
and has made cuts to all programs apart from special education.
DR. BISHOP cautioned against the public perception that
administrative costs at ASD are too high, noting cuts to
administrative costs have resulted in a compromised strategic
execution of programs designed to increase positive student
outcomes. She expressed her dedication to improving student
outcomes as a priority including accountability and
transparency. She suggested that when compared to other school
districts in Alaska and to the nations 100 largest school
districts, ASD administrative costs are prudent and not
excessive. She indicated that uncertainty and reductions to
funding had necessitated prioritization of cuts to programs
rather than prioritization of implementation of strategic plans
for improvement.
8:11:10 AM
DR. BISHOP urged legislators to support HB 236 in order to
invest in the education of children. She noted that the passing
of HB 236 would provide stability in funding so that ASD can
plan for the best possible program execution and produce the
best possible student outcomes. She expressed her gratitude to
the [bill sponsor] and extolled increased funding for education
as courageous.
8:11:44 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND referred to Dr. Bishops comments comparing
ASD to the 100 largest school districts across the nation and
asked her to provide additional information that would offer
context of spending levels.
8:12:25 AM
DR. BISHOP suggested that due to economies of scale,
administrative costs in education in Alaska are among the lowest
in the nation. She offered to provide the committee with the
source material to which she referred that depicts Alaska
spending below the nations largest 100 districts mean.
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND asked whether the source of the material is
Great City Schools.
DR. BISHOP confirmed and explained that Great City Schools
represents the 100 largest school districts in the nation.
8:13:07 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY asked for additional information regarding
administrative cost control at ASD.
8:13:26 AM
DR. BISHOP explained that administrative costs include payroll,
and during the preceding six years, ASD has realized a 17
percent reduction in administration costs. She explained that
the costs include receiving and distributing materials to 3,600
teachers in the district and organization and feeding of 25,000
students per day. She emphasized that perception of
administrative costs may be someone sitting up in a big, fancy
mahogany desk somewhere and refuted this perception, indicating
that administrative costs pertain to the execution of large
programs that occur directly in schools. She added that
administration also covers monitoring student outcomes. She
welcomed review of the data reporting on use of administration
cost funds.
CO-CHAIR STORY asked how ASD would plan to deliver health
education and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) standards
through health educators and indicated her understanding that
the number of health educators continues to be reduced.
8:15:48 AM
DR. BISHOP emphasized that students health, including mental
health, is a top priority and would not be jeopardized as a
result of funding shortages. She explained that SEL in ASD is
not conducted through health teachers but is instead infused
into every teacher, bus driver, and personnel that encounter
students. She indicated that reduction in funding results in a
reduction of available resources and additional demand on
individual teachers in classrooms as a result.
8:17:53 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND asked Dr. Bishop to briefly discuss what
measures ASD is taking to ensure the safety of the approximately
47,000 students and 600 district employees in light of the
Coronavirus [Covid-19 pandemic].
8:18:22 AM
DR. BISHOP explained that the most controversial decision had
been a travel restriction, which was made in consultation with
health officials. She explained that the priorities that shape
ASD travel decisions are staff and student infection rate
reduction and protecting against the uncertainty of travelers
being able to return home. She explained that there is a
difference in decisions that may be weighed by a parent as
compared with decisions that must be weighed by the school
district, which operates in loco parentis, which she defined
as a caretaker and like a parent. She explained that the
risk assessment, including uncertainties going forward, led to
the decision to restrict planned travel in the district for over
1,000 students and chaperones. She added that because one-sixth
of the population of Anchorage enters ASD premises every day,
public health is a major consideration and cleaning and
disinfecting sites including charter schools is a priority.
8:21:05 AM
DR. BISHOP added that schools are teaching students proper
handwashing techniques. She explained that ASD is working with
officials on multiple levels to create decision-making framework
and protocols related to infection detection and containment and
logistical planning such as for transportation of students. She
added that while the travel ban has been an unpopular decision,
ASD has elected to prioritize safety of students, staff, and the
larger community.
8:22:04 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND indicated that the [conversation regarding
pandemic preparedness] should take place in more detail and
suggested that the House Health and Social Services Committee
would be an appropriate venue for that conversation to take
place in the near future.
8:22:17 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX expressed his sympathy for districts facing
difficult and complex decisions and suggested that the
legislature is faced with a similar dilemma. He asked whether
there exists a documented list of mandated tasks from which the
district creates actions.
8:23:34 AM
DR. BISHOP indicated that one example could be the 10 health
standards proposed under HB 181, which exemplify the increasing
mandates for teachers in the classroom. She remarked that the
school day had not lengthened despite the increase of
performance mandates. She offered to compile and provide the
list requested by Representative Prax and cautioned that it
would be lengthy.
8:24:40 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY asked Dr. Bishop to provide some demographic
information for ASD student population.
8:25:00 AM
DR. BISHOP explained that demographically, 60 percent of
students in ASD are nonwhite. She lauded the diversity of over
100 languages spoken throughout the district. She estimated the
mobility of students in the district between 4075 percent of
families at any given time relocating within the district. She
highlighted that many high-potential students are English
Language Learners (ELL) who come to the school district with a
variety of existing education levels and first languages. She
noted that poverty can range from 40 to 100 percent in various
schools and many students require food programs. She suggested
that ASD is unique as urban among other districts in Alaska
and is challenged by issues that may not occur in rural
districts.
8:28:10 AM
MEILA NEELEY, Student, testified in support of HB 236. She
requested the proposed increase in BSA to help alleviate issues
such as increasing class size. She indicated that her class
consists of 32 students and suggested that teachers and
substitutes do not have adequate time for much needed individual
instruction. She explained that some of her peers require extra
instruction in SEL. She also suggested that schools should
increase resources for art classes and indicated her ambition to
become an artist. She expressed her concern that art and
culture programs will be cut.
8:30:06 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND asked Miss Neely to provide her age, grade,
and school name to the committee.
8:30:21 AM
MISS NEELY stated that she is nine years of age, in the fourth
grade at Say?ik Gastineau Elementary School [in Juneau, Alaska].
8:30:44 AM
KRISTIN RUTLEDGE testified in support of HB 236. She described
herself as a public school student and now mother of school age
children in Alaska. She recounted her experience at a recent
ASD board meeting, which she described as five hours of
testimony that was difficult and frustrating to endure. She
criticized the proposed use of public funds for individual
supplemental [Alaska Permanent Fund] dividends instead of for
the purpose of funding education. She criticized ASD cuts to
health education programs, emphasizing the importance of health
education, especially under circumstances of a growing [Covid-
19] pandemic. She criticized cuts to classroom time at all
grade levels and cuts to University of Alaska funding,
suggesting that public education in Alaska is inadequate to
maintain a professional workforce and population. She expressed
her support for diversification of state revenue sources
including taxes. She urged support of HB 236.
8:32:51 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked Ms. Rutledge to identify areas of
spending that she would recommend cutting in favor of funding
public education.
MS. RUTLEDGE suggested that paying Alaska Permanent Fund
Dividends seems anathema to enduring more cuts to services and
suggested that funding for programs should not be further cut
and instead the state should seek alternate sources of revenue
as opposed to an attempt to live within a shrinking means.
8:34:08 AM
KAY ANDREWS, President, Southwest Region School District School
Board, testified in support of HB 236. She suggested that
children in Alaska are the states most valuable asset for the
future. She described cost increases that Southwest Region
School District has endured, including increased health
insurance, supplies, transportation of goods, and increase in
costs of fuel oil and other utilities. She noted that increased
costs such as those result in direct negative impacts on
students in the classroom. She explained that schools face
unprecedented and increasing complex problems related to trauma
and emphasized a need for training in trauma-informed practices
and additional school counselors, psychologists, and other
related professionals.
8:36:19 AM
MS. ANDREWS explained that she has observed children and
communities suffering from trauma, and that reductions to
funding compromise schools ability to support and educate
children. She explained that funds distributed to schools
outside of the BSA formula create complexities and the inability
to plan, retain teachers, and effectively implement long-range
reading and other strategic programs. She urged the support of
increase to the Foundation Formula and BSA so that districts can
plan and execute programs.
8:39:40 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND asked Ms. Andrews to describe the geography
and number of students in her district.
MS. ANDREWS explained that she was located in the community of
Alaknagik, and the communities within the Southwest Region
School District include Togiak, Twin Hills, Manokotak,
Koliganek, New Stuyahok, Ekwok, and Clarks Point. She noted
that the district had recently closed Portage Creek School due
to lack of student population. She noted that Clarks Point
School had been recently closed and re-opened with community
support. She explained that her district has no art program and
no school nurses. She expressed her concern regarding the
growing [Covid-19] pandemic and noted that an emergency planning
meeting for her district was planned for today; however, no
health professionals are available to participate at school
sites. She emphasized that transportation of goods is extremely
challenging for her district. She expressed concern over lack
of technology and infrastructure should the district be required
to shut down. She extolled the support received from the
communities in her district as well as support from ASD and the
Alaska State Legislature in taking the time to understand the
unique issues faced in her district. She encouraged visits to
the communities in her district to directly observe the unique
challenges as well as key accomplishments in educating children
and preparing them for life in Alaska.
8:45:34 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY expressed her gratitude to Ms. Andrews for her
service and testimony.
8:45:51 AM
ROBIN JONES, President, Alaska Association of Secondary School
Principals (AASSP), testified in support of HB 236 on behalf of
the Alaska Council of School Administrators (ACSA) and AASSP.
She urged priority funding with timely and predictable revenue
so that schools may execute all educational programs and comply
with all mandates for education. She suggested that early
notification and forward funding are crucial to sound financial
management and recruitment and retention of quality educators.
She suggested that the increase to BSA as proposed by HB 236
would aid in covering funding deficiencies caused by inflation.
She indicated that increased costs for goods and services as
well as deferred maintenance projects are depleting existing
budgets. She suggested that passing HB 236 would aid in quality
teacher recruitment and retention.
8:48:27 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked Ms. Jones to verify the availability
of her contact info.
8:48:40 AM
MS. JONES acknowledged her contact info is available to the
committee and offered an in-person meeting while she is in
Juneau with Representative Prax to provide additional
information.
8:49:08 AM
PATRICK MAYER, Superintendent, Aleutians East Borough School
District, testified in support of HB 236. He referenced the
ACSA joint position statement that was provided to the committee
and emphasized that timely, reliable, and predictable funding is
necessary to aid in quality teacher and administrator
recruitment and retention. He offered that funding for
education has not kept pace with inflation. He acknowledged
that one-time funding infusions have been welcomed by schools;
however, he suggested that [funds received outside of the
Foundation Formula and BSA] do not provide stability in
effective recruitment and retention. He explained that in
Aleutians East Borough School District, school counselor
positions have been eliminated, along with a physical education
(P.E.) teacher and a librarian. He explained that
extracurricular activities have been subject to reorganization
and alignment to expenditures and revenues. He expressed that
the goals of his district include expansion of Career Technical
Education (CTE), drama and the arts, and trauma informed
practices. He indicated that program expansion with current
staffing levels would be impossible. He suggested that a BSA
increase would be timely in aiding districts to meet program
needs and adhere to mandates. He encouraged passing HB 236 as a
first step in increasing funding for public education. He
offered to provide a list of unfunded mandates to the committee
for its consideration.
8:52:29 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ZULKOSKY asked Mr. Mayer to describe the
demographics of his district.
MR. MAYER responded that there are four schools in the district:
Sand Point School, populated by 114 students; King Cove School,
populated by 87 students; False Pass School, populated by 7
students; and Akutan School, populated by 23 students. He
indicated that the district had recently closed Cold Bay School
and it is consolidating the resources of False Pass School to
meet the ongoing needs of those students affected by the closure
of Cold Bay School. He noted that the student body consists of
87 percent Alaska Native students and the poverty rate is at 80
percent. He acknowledged that his district, as other district
representatives had indicated for their own, has room for
improvement. He explained that the communities in the district
are primarily fishing industry communities with commercial fish
processing plants. He noted that Sand Point fish processing
facility had unexpectedly closed, impacting the community.
8:54:40 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ZULKOSKY referenced his earlier testimony
regarding BSA comparison to the rate of inflation and asked
whether the data he referenced fully reflected the rate of
inflation experienced in rural areas and how rural schools have
managed rising costs.
MR. MAYER allowed that the data to which he had referred did
pertain to urban areas and described the availability of rural
inflation rate data as elusive. He opined with certainty that
rural inflation rates would logically be higher than in urban
areas due to factors such as transportation and fuel costs and
higher costs of goods and services. He noted that impacts of
cuts to the ferry system also contribute to additional
challenges including relocating teachers. He explained that
rising costs have resulted in cuts to eliminate P.E. teachers
and limiting electives offered. He noted that school nurses
have been eliminated, which is cause for concern considering
[the Covid-19 pandemic response coordination].
8:57:47 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS recalled previous hearings in which
testimony was offered from a school district that endured a cost
of over $100,000 as a result of reductions in ferry service. He
asked whether Mr. Mayer could estimate a cost to his district
associated with reduction in ferry service for the committee and
provide the information to the House Transportation Committee.
MR. MAYER agreed to research and provide a cost estimate and
speculated the impacts had already resulted in coordination with
freight companies to explore options to close gaps left by
reduced ferry service.
8:59:04 AM
JIM ANDERSON, CFO, Anchorage School District, testified in
support of HB 236. He stated that 87.4 percent of ASD
expenditure is for personnel. He stated that since 2013,
student enrollment has declined by 6.8 percent and staff had
been reduced by 9.9 percent in the same timeframe. He stated
that two schools have been closed, two schools have been
relocated, and that two additional programs will be moved in the
coming year. He assured that any possible means of cost savings
is being evaluated. He noted FY 13-19 medical costs have been
reduced by 0.6 percent by contracting with a health clinic. He
predicted ongoing savings in health care costs. He noted that
ASD workers compensation claims have been reduced by over $2
million, or 45 percent, while legal fees have been reduced by 44
percent. He cautioned that, despite cost savings realized, the
reductions are not sufficient to account for inflation. He
explained that cost increases have occurred in electricity,
refuse, buildings and ground supplies, and insurance.
9:01:45 AM
MR. ANDERSON explained that the sunset of funds provided under
House Bill 287 [passed into law during the Thirtieth Alaska
State Legislature] has resulted in reductions of approximately
50 teachers and other staff for FY 21. He explained that
community pressure exists for the district to perform and serve
students. He explained that uncertainty in funding results in a
paradigm of cutting services in favor of strategic growth.
9:03:14 AM
PEGGY COWAN testified in support of HB 236. She offered brief
biographical information. She echoed earlier testimony that
uncertainty in funding causes districts to bear negative
consequences. She suggested that cuts to funding also bear
indirect costs such as reduced morale, anger, and frustration,
which she associated with high teacher turnover. She suggested
that low morale among adults impacts the students, resulting in
negative outcomes.
9:04:57 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked Ms. Cowan in which districts she had
been superintendent.
MS. COWAN answered that she had served longest at both the North
Slope Borough School District and the Juneau School District.
9:05:59 AM
TOM KLAAMEYER, President, Anchorage Education Association,
testified in support of HB 236. He spoke on behalf of over
3,200 members of the Anchorage Education Association. He echoed
previous testimony regarding the effects of budget cuts,
personnel cuts, and teacher turnover. He suggested that the
community of Anchorage has conveyed an expectation of investment
in education and applauded this and other proposed legislation
to that end. He cautioned that further cuts would result in
harm to students and forward funding should be contemplated. He
expressed dismay that ASD had been required to make substantial
cuts to health teachers, while proposed legislation pertaining
to increasing health education is being considered by the
legislature. He added that class sizes are increasing.
9:09:06 AM
PENNY VADLA, President, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Board of Education, testified in support of HB 236. She urged
adequate and predictable funding for public education for
districts to meet regulatory and constitutional obligations.
She highlighted teacher recruitment and retention, support
programs, strategic planning, student wellbeing as priorities.
She suggested that further cuts to funding jeopardize students
in her district. She explained cost-saving measures instituted
while the district has strived to protect against cuts impacting
students in the classroom. She urged the passage of HB 236.
9:13:07 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND asked Ms. Vadla to describe the geography and
number of students in her district, as well as what
transportation issues are being faced in her district.
MS. VADLA stated that her district consists of over 8,000
students and 42 schools that vary in size and grade level
composition. She explained that transportation is a major
consideration in her district and efficiencies have been
realized within the large and complex district.
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND asked Ms. Vadla to provide additional
geographical information on the transportation system in her
district.
MS. VADLA explained that communities within the district include
Tobona, Seldovia, Port Graham, English Bay, and Russian Orthodox
community schools, most of which are part of the districts
transportation system.
9:15:50 AM
DEENA MITCHELL, Board Member, Anchorage School District,
testified in support of HB 236. She echoed prior testimony that
urged the legislature to maintain funding and warned of the
deleterious effects of unpredictability and continued cuts to
funding. She suggested that cuts to health education have
resulted in elimination of programs that are vital to public
health, including SEL and suicide prevention. She extolled
forward funding as a vehicle to increase teacher retention. She
offered that cuts result in strain on teachers and exacerbate
costly teacher turnover. She suggested that once a program is
cut, it is costly to re-initiate, and cuts result in permanent
program elimination. She stated that increasing class time has
resulted in less teacher and student interaction while the need
for behavioral management is increasing.
9:20:04 AM
MS. MITCHELL recommended: inflation proofing of the BSA;
increasing the number of safety officers and equipment; mental
health professionals and counselors; continued vigilance to
guard against increasing class size; and increasing educational
services. She suggested that SEL can positively affect student
mental health and outcomes.
9:22:00 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked Ms. Mitchell whether the district had
an itemization of expenditures by program or service.
MS. MITCHELL answered that she would determine what information
is available for her district and provide it to the committee.
She asked whether Representative Prax was most interested in
special education programs or more general program information.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX answered that he sought more general program
information.
9:23:14 AM
BETH SHORT RHOADS testified in support of HB 236 as a parent.
She explained that her district no longer has a library and no
longer has a much-needed school counselor. She stated that one
school nurse exists for approximately 1,200 students in her
community and expressed her fear of negative impacts considering
the Covid-19 pandemic. She applauded the efforts of her
community school district to manage with reduction of resources
and expressed that inflation proofing is necessary to prevent
continued dire cuts to essential programs.
9:25:51 AM
ANDY HOLLOMAN testified in support of HB 236. He offered
biographical information and explained that supplemental, one-
time funding has resulted in poor conditions for planning. He
suggested that inflation impacts result in cumulative ongoing
cuts to basic core services and increased class size, and he
urged inflation-proofing of the BSA.
9:28:19 AM
MARGO BELLAMY, Board Member, Anchorage School District,
testified in support of HB 236. She suggested that an increase
to the BSA is a morally appropriate decision. She echoed
earlier testimony and emphasized difficulties in the budgeting
process to meet the needs of students, including consideration
of delayed start of the school day, or early dismissal. She
urged passage of HB 236.
9:30:51 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND stated that Ms. Bellamy is a retired educator
in addition to serving on the ASD Board of Education.
MS. BELLAMY confirmed her work history also included time as a
school and office administrator, and her experience spanned 43
years of working with youth and families.
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND asked whether delayed start or early release
was included in the most recent ASD budget.
MS. BELLAMY confirmed it was, and she added that each school
would have autonomy to determine the class times that best suit
its need. In response to a follow-up question, she said the
district would remain compliant regarding the minimum required
number of instructional days when implementing any alteration in
the school day schedule, plans for which are still in
development, with challenges present at the site, district, and
community levels.
9:34:37 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether ASD maintained a list of
mandated core services with a cost breakdown.
MS. BELLAMY confirmed that the information is available and
would be provided to the committee.
9:35:52 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK recalled Ms. Bellamys testimony describing
the challenges at discrete levels in public education and
correlated them to those similarly faced by the legislature. He
suggested that the legislature would benefit from the
perspectives offered by witnesses in their testimony. He
suggested that a recurrent theme offered in testimony is the
need for additional revenue. He urged vigilance against
additional cuts that could result in serving only [economically]
privileged students. He urged support of HB 236, especially
considering the public testimony offered to the committee.
9:38:47 AM
SEAN CONE testified in support of HB 236. He suggested that the
funding in recent years has been unsustainable and reliable
funding is necessary. He echoed previous testimony regarding
one-time funding allocations as appreciated but not sustainable.
He echoed previous testimony regarding the constitutional
mandate for education in Alaska and suggested that funding is
not optional. He suggested that neglecting to fund education
equates to cutting education funding and should be characterized
as such. He suggested that inflation and cost increases in the
absence of additional funding is tantamount to cuts to funding.
He suggested that effects of inadequate funding in education
reach beyond education and constitutional obligation, with wider
community impacts economically and socially. He exemplified CTE
classes as inherently required to maintain smaller class sizes
due to the course material and teaching methods, and he
expressed that those smaller class sizes become vulnerable to
cuts by attrition.
9:42:53 AM
CRIS EICHENLAUB testified in opposition to HB 236. He suggested
that poor management is taking place in public education. He
said he has an issue with the term "flat funding" and questioned
whether cuts should have occurred considering declining student
population.
9:45:13 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK commented that BSA is correlated directly
with student population and a reduction of student population
results in decreased funding, compounded by loss of economies of
scale. He asked Mr. Eichenlaub to clarify his assertion of
funding levels increasing with decline in student population.
MR. EICHENLAUB suggested that budgets are increasing while total
student population is declining and suggested this exists due to
mismanagement, including hiring additional teachers.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK suggested that class sizes are increasing
which is evidence contrary to the suggestion that more teachers
are hired when student population declines. He offered that
expenses are increasing which is evidence contrary to the
suggestion that funding levels are flat when they remain
unchanged.
MR. EICHENLAUB recommended that class sizes should be
investigated amid claims that they have increased.
9:47:46 AM
HERMAN MORGAN testified in opposition to HB 236. He suggested
that an increase to BSA would be tantamount to funding
socioeconomic problems and lower test scores.
9:50:28 AM
RALPH WATKINS, Superintendent, Hoonah City School District,
testified in support of HB 236. He recalled previous testimony
criticizing public education in Alaska and asserted that Alaska
students receive world-class education. He extolled teachers
dedication, professionalism, and work ethic. He suggested that
imparting quality education to students requires an entire
system that is subject to funding. He cited costs such as
teacher salaries, insurance, curriculum, and supplies. He
suggested that withholding funding based on what he categorized
as a flawed viewpoint is unacceptable. He urged previous
testifiers to seek information and facts on schools and
districts and to consider community expectations and impacts and
to reconsider their support for increasing the BSA. He
explained that his role in his district consists of
superintendent, principal, sometimes-middle-schoolteacher, and
custodian. His district business office staff consists of only
two individuals. He stated that over the last two years, his
district had graduated 100 percent of its seniors, seventy
percent of whom have continued into postsecondary programs. He
asserted that quality education exists in Alaska and recommended
increased funding.
9:55:04 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND requested Mr. Watkins submit written testimony
to the committee.
9:55:30 AM
SEANNA O'SULLIVAN testified in support of HB 236. She echoed
previous testimony regarding increased costs and deleterious
effects of flat or reduced funding. She explained that site
councils were conceived to support extracurricular activities
and are increasingly supporting core educational programs at the
expense of extracurricular programs such as Discovery Southeast.
She shared her experience as a parent whose personal
circumstances had changed from being able to volunteer and
participate in her childrens schools to that of a parent who
increasingly relies on school and ancillary programs such as
Recreation, Arts, Learning, and Leadership for Youth (RALLY).
She urged consideration of realistic expectations and realistic
conditions taking place in schools that are increasing services
despite reduction in resources. In response to a request from
Co-Chair Drummond, she explained that RALLY is an after school
childcare program in which her children are enrolled part time.
10:00:51 AM
BILL BJORK testified in support of HB 236. He argued that
claims that Alaska teachers are highly paid is not based in
fact. He offered to provide data to the committee in evidence
of the contrary.
10:02:36 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY closed public testimony on HB 236.
[HB 236 was held over.]
10:03:52 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Education Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 10:03 a.m.
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