03/18/2024 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB236 | |
| SB99 | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s): | |
| University of Alaska Board of Regents | |
| Professional Teaching Practices Commission | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 236 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 99 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
March 18, 2024
8:01 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Jamie Allard, Co-Chair
Representative Justin Ruffridge, Co-Chair
Representative Mike Prax
Representative CJ McCormick
Representative Tom McKay
Representative Rebecca Himschoot
Representative Andi Story
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 236
"An Act relating to the duties of the Board of Regents of the
University of Alaska; establishing the University of Alaska
major maintenance and modernization fund; repealing the
University of Alaska building fund; and providing for an
effective date."
- MOVED HB 236 OUT OF COMMITTEE
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 99(EDC)
"An Act establishing a financial literacy education program for
public schools; and providing for an effective date."
- MOVED HCS CSSB 99(EDC) OUT OF COMMITTEE
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
University of Alaska Board of Regents
Stephen Colligan - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Professional Teaching Practices Commission
Michael Robbins - Ketchikan
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 236
SHORT TITLE: UA MAJOR MAINTEN. MODERNIZATION FUND
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) STAPP
01/16/24 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/8/24
01/16/24 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/16/24 (H) EDC, FIN
02/07/24 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
02/07/24 (H) Heard & Held
02/07/24 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
03/18/24 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
BILL: SB 99
SHORT TITLE: FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM IN SCHOOLS
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) WIELECHOWSKI
03/10/23 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/10/23 (S) EDC
03/29/23 (S) EDC AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/29/23 (S) Heard & Held
03/29/23 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
04/05/23 (S) EDC AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/05/23 (S) Heard & Held
04/05/23 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
04/14/23 (S) EDC AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/14/23 (S) -- MEETING CANCELED --
04/17/23 (S) EDC AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/17/23 (S) Moved CSSB 99(EDC) Out of Committee
04/17/23 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
04/19/23 (S) EDC RPT CS 3DP 1AM NEW TITLE
04/19/23 (S) DP: TOBIN, GRAY-JACKSON, KIEHL
04/19/23 (S) AM: BJORKMAN
04/19/23 (S) FIN REFERRAL ADDED AFTER EDC
04/24/23 (S) FIN AT 9:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532
04/24/23 (S) Heard & Held
04/24/23 (S) MINUTE(FIN)
05/10/23 (S) FIN RPT CS(EDC) 3DP 3NR NEW TITLE
05/10/23 (S) DP: HOFFMAN, KIEHL, BISHOP
05/10/23 (S) NR: OLSON, WILSON, MERRICK
05/10/23 (S) FIN AT 9:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532
05/10/23 (S) Moved CSSB 99(EDC) Out of Committee
05/10/23 (S) MINUTE(FIN)
05/13/23 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
05/13/23 (S) VERSION: CSSB 99(EDC)
05/15/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
05/15/23 (H) EDC, FIN
01/24/24 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
01/24/24 (H) Heard & Held
01/24/24 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
03/18/24 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE WILL STAPP
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, introduced HB 236.
PAUL MENKE, Staff
Representative Will Stapp
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 236 on behalf of
Representative Stapp, prime sponsor.
RALPH SEEKINS, Chair
Board of Regents
University of Alaska System
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony in support of HB
236.
PAT PITNEY, President
University of Alaska System
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony in support of HB
236.
HUNTER LOTTSFELDT, Staff
Senator Bill Wielechowski
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Reintroduced CSSB 99(EDC) on behalf of
Senator Wielechowski, prime sponsor.
ED MARTIN, representing self
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to CSSB 99(EDC).
STEPHEN COLLIGAN, Appointee
University of Alaska Board of Regents
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the University of
Alaska Board of Regents.
MICHAEL ROBBINS, Nominee
Professional Teaching Practices Commission
Ketchikan, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Professional
Teaching Practices Commission.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:01:01 AM
CO-CHAIR JUSTIN RUFFRIDGE called the House Education Standing
Committee meeting to order at 8:01 a.m. Representatives Prax,
McKay, Himschoot, Story, Allard, and Ruffridge were present at
the call to order. Representative McCormick arrived as the
meeting was in progress.
HB 236-UA MAJOR MAINTEN. MODERNIZATION FUND
8:02:28 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced that the first order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 236, "An Act relating to the duties of
the Board of Regents of the University of Alaska; establishing
the University of Alaska major maintenance and modernization
fund; repealing the University of Alaska building fund; and
providing for an effective date."
8:02:50 AM
REPRESENTATIVE WILL STAPP, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, introduced HB 236. He provided a brief introduction
and explained that his staff would give a recap of the bill and
what it does.
8:03:08 AM
PAUL MENKE, Staff, Representative Will Stapp, Alaska State
Legislature, presented HB 236 on behalf of Representative Stapp,
prime sponsor. He said the bill would be a fund in the budget
dedicated to renovating and maintaining existing buildings in
the University of Alaska System (UA).
8:03:44 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE welcomed invited testifiers.
8:04:18 AM
RALPH SEEKINS, Chair, Board of Regents, University of Alaska
(UA) System, gave invited testimony in support of HB 236 and
briefly provided his background. He reported that the
university has gone from a deferred maintenance situation to a
critical maintenance situation. He said 40 percent of the
buildings that the state owns are on university campuses and UA
is looking to preserve and modernize those buildings without
unnecessary upgrades. He thanked the committee for the
consideration and offered to stay online to answer questions.
8:08:02 AM
PAT PITNEY, President, University of Alaska System, gave invited
testimony in support of HB 236 and thanked Representative Stapp
for introducing the bill. She explained that UA has prioritized
deferred maintenance as the highest capital priority. She said
UA's annual need is over $60 million to keep up with maintenance
and it is asking for only half of that. She related that UA has
many mechanisms to stay accountable with the legislature and a
planned approach to address deferred maintenance. There are
many aged facilities including some built in the 1960s that need
structural changes.
8:12:15 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked how other universities deal with
deferred maintenance.
MS. PITNEY replied that most universities have a budget
structure and consistent approaches to deferred maintenance, and
she provided brief examples of other states. She further noted
that the last time UA's deferred maintenance did not grow was in
the period of 2010 to 2015 when there was a consistent $35
million of deferred maintenance funding provided to the
university.
8:13:48 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX communicated that he tried to understand
whether $30 million for the maintenance and modernization fund
is in addition to what UA allocated in its operating budget.
MS. PITNEY confirmed that was correct and that the $30 million
was for preventative maintenance.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX offered his belief that there is a
difference between the activity of maintaining and that of
modernizing. He asked whether there was a number that just
focused on maintaining, such as an aforementioned ventilation
system. He questioned the amount of $35 million being enough to
catch up on deferred maintenance and inquired how much would be
needed annually to keep up maintenance in general.
MS. PITNEY replied that if UA were modeling to facility
standards, the investment on the facility would be about $66
million annually on top of current maintenance and operations of
the facilities. The $66 million is requested in UA's capital
budget, she noted.
8:19:49 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD asked Representative Stapp if the University of
Alaska Anchorage (UAA) would build more buildings as part of its
modernization.
REPRESENTATIVE STAPP responded that the number one project is
the replacement of the centralized heating system at the UAA
campus. The priorities and project list included in the bill
can clearly articulate those things, he added.
CO-CHAIR ALLARD asked Ms. Pitney if UA is looking at building
more buildings with a focus on modernizing.
MS. PITNEY replied yes, there are modernization facilities that
are priorities for UA, and UA is very much focused on non-state
funding for those facilities. Public and private partnerships
are crucial to new facility projects, she added.
CO-CHAIR ALLARD asked whether overall enrollment had gone up or
down.
MS. PITNEY confirmed that UA was in the third semester of
enrollment increases. Most encouraging, she said, is the
category of first-time freshmen, which grew 16 percent last
fall.
8:24:17 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether UA has a published high-level
maintenance strategy.
MS. PITNEY replied that UA has its preventative maintenance
strategy in policy.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX expressed interest in looking into the
strategy so the legislature has a better appreciation for the
need for maintaining what UA has and, in addition, how decisions
are made regarding a building's useful life with no point of
maintaining it further.
8:26:53 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked how UA takes into account those
Alaskans visiting campuses and deciding whether to attend in
state, noting that learning environments matter when people are
choosing institutions, and she questioned whether this is
considered when putting together the deferred maintenance list.
MS. PITNEY replied absolutely, and that was part of the reason
dorms were a priority. The view given to students on their
visits is extremely important as well as program opportunities.
Priorities are based on functionality and age but also a
commitment to a return on investment from enrollment, she
explained.
8:28:57 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE opened public testimony on HB 236. After
ascertaining no one wished to testify, he closed public
testimony.
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced his intention to hold HB 236 for
future amendments.
8:30:18 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX commented that in the legislative process,
[legislators] should make a concerted effort to get the bill
through both the House and the Senate than to get it perfect, as
it is fairly important, he opined.
8:31:01 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STAPP thanked committee members for their time
and remarked that deferred maintenance may not be as exciting as
ribbon cuttings, but it is important long term.
8:31:33 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:31 a.m. to 8:35 a.m.
8:35:43 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX moved to report HB 236 out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
8:36:21 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD objected to express her concern that because the
legislature failed to address the issue years ago, the numbers
have "crawled."
CO-CHAIR ALLARD then removed her objection. There being no
further objection, HB 236 was reported out of the House
Education Standing Committee.
8:36:59 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:36 a.m. to 8:40 a.m.
SB 99-FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM IN SCHOOLS
8:40:05 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced that the next order of business
would be CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 99(EDC), "An Act establishing a
financial literacy education program for public schools; and
providing for an effective date."
8:40:56 AM
HUNTER LOTTSFELDT, Staff, Senator Bill Wielechowski, Alaska
State Legislature, reintroduced CSSB 99(EDC) on behalf of
Senator Wielechowski, prime sponsor. He explained that the
bill, in fifteen steps, would create a half-credit requirement
that could be split among one course or multiple courses and
would seek to teach financial literacy to high school students,
including principes such as how to file taxes and read the terms
of a loan. He welcomed questions from committee members.
8:41:58 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX commented that financial literacy was taught
through high school in the early 1970s, and he expressed concern
that the state would be telling local school districts to do
something in a specific way according to a specific criteria
that would be dictated to them.
MR. LOTTSFELDT replied that although financial literacy is being
taught in a few districts across the state, the purpose of the
bill is that "these things" are not being taught and are also
changing. He added that the bill is structured to try to
supplement the districts that are already teaching financial
literacy, and the intent is for it to be easily adoptable by
school districts.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX offered his understanding that the bill
would require districts to develop a curriculum but not be told
which specific one they are to develop.
MR. LOTTSFELDT agreed that was a fair statement.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether there should be a provision or
state level review and approval of the program.
MR. LOTTSFELDT responded that he was not sure regarding a state
level review, but the specific course and materials would be up
to the district.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether there was an estimate of the
cost to the school districts and expectations of how much may be
received from the legislature.
MR. LOTTSFELDT replied there is not an estimate on the cost to
the school districts and added that one of the advantages of
financial literacy is that it is a "grassroots type of
movement," in that there is a lot of free online curriculum. He
stated he could not provide an exact number and reiterated that
the bill is structured to make it as easy for school districts
to adopt as possible.
8:48:04 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY drew attention to page 1, line 8 of the
bill, and offered her understanding that the approval for the
curriculum must come from the Department of Education and Early
Development (DEED), which would take administrative time to find
out how each district meets the requirements of the bill. She
further pointed out the words on line 13, "maximum extent
practicable", and acknowledged that the bill sponsor wanted to
keep flexibility while still meeting the intent of the bill.
MR. LOTTSFELDT confirmed that is correct.
8:49:10 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE opened public testimony on CSSB 99(EDC).
8:49:48 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:49 a.m. to 8:50 a.m.
8:50:50 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE clarified that an individual can testify only
one time.
8:51:29 AM
ED MARTIN, representing self, stated that he did not remember
whether he had a personal finance course in high school, but
when he graduated he received a bank savings account from his
parents and got a job. He said he encouraged legislation if it
is necessary to direct school districts to teach something
relevant and added that some big steps for children are student
loans. Regarding the fiscal note, he emphasized that he did not
see justification in state funds going towards "this"
whatsoever. He opined that the legislature should worry about
the education fund, which was vetoed, and added that "this seems
like double dipping" and must be stopped.
8:54:24 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE, after ascertaining that no one else wished
to testify, closed public testimony on CSSB 99(EDC). He noted
that there were three amendments to CSSB 99(EDC).
8:54:45 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD stated she would not be moving Amendment 1.
8:54:54 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT moved to adopt Amendment 2 to CSSB
99(EDC), labeled 33-LS0498\R.4, Bergerud, 1/31/24, which read as
follows:
Page 1, line 8, following "department.":
Insert "The department shall curate and make
available to school districts a list of open
educational resources that are approved by the
department that in combination address the topics
listed in (1) - (14) of this subsection. The list
shall include open educational resources that address
the topic listed in (15) of this subsection if those
resources are available. The department shall update
this list at least every five years."
Page 2, line 21:
Delete all material and insert:
"(b) In this section,
(1) "open educational resource" means
learning, teaching, or research material in any format
that resides in the public domain or is under
copyright and has been released under an open license
that permits access at no cost as well as reuse,
repurpose, adaptation, and redistribution by others;
(2) "school district" has the meaning given in
AS 14.30.350."
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE objected.
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT explained that Amendment 2 tasks the
department with providing open educational resource materials.
She referenced a letter from DEED that stated it would not
provide undue burden on them and would allow the department to
vet open educational resource materials to meet the standards in
the bill.
8:56:31 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCORMICK asked Representative Himschoot whether
the Amendment 2 could inadvertently force the hand of districts
and create parameters for the type of curriculum districts might
want to provide independently, thus disempowering them.
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT replied that most districts provide
academic freedom to educators and, if pressed for time, they
would have a bank of resources.
8:57:30 AM
MR. LOTTSFELDT stated that he supported Amendment 2.
8:57:55 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE removed his objection to the motion to adopt
Amendment 2. There being no further objection, Amendment 2 was
adopted.
8:58:21 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY moved to adopt Amendment 3 to CSSB 99(EDC),
labeled 33-LS0498\R.5, Bergerud, 2/1/24, which read as follows:
Page 2, following line 20:
Insert a new subsection to read:
"(b) Notwithstanding (a) of this section, a
school may issue a secondary school diploma to a
student who has not completed the program described in
(a) of this section if the student transferred into
the school district from another school district,
state, or country after completing grade 10."
Reletter the following subsection accordingly.
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE objected.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY explained that Amendment 3 would support
transfer students.
8:59:31 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX stated that he opposed the amendment and
questioned the issuance of a diploma if it did not have
something behind it that explains what it means.
9:00:28 AM
MR. LOTTSFELDT added that the amendment was drafted in a similar
way to the Alaska Studies exemption amendment. The intent is to
make sure students are being taught financial literacy to the
best of educators' abilities but there are circumstances of
students transferring from other districts or states.
9:01:33 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT remarked that it felt unfair for a
student to come into the state from somewhere else and be told
they cannot graduate because they did not meet the requirement.
She opined that the exemption would be made only for a small
handful of students, and she expressed her support for Amendment
3.
9:03:04 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD sought more clarification on where the exception
stops and provided a scenario of a student of a military family
transferring to a school in Alaska.
MR. LOTTSFELDT clarified that it would be up to the school
districts. He said the exemption is for that one requirement to
get the diploma. Currently, he said, 22 other states have
financial literacy as a requirement, and it is a "50/50 shot"
that a student has not gotten the instruction prior.
CO-CHAIR ALLARD restated that her concern was the verbiage
"after grade 10" and that she knew many high schoolers and found
it difficult to believe that if they still have their eleventh
and twelfth year "they can't finish."
9:05:42 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY expressed gratitude for the elaboration on
how the amendment is modeled after the Alaska Studies
requirement.
9:05:57 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE removed his objection.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX objected.
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Story, Himschoot,
McCormick, and Ruffridge voted in favor of Amendment 3.
Representatives McKay, Prax, and Allard voted against it.
Therefore, Amendment 3 was adopted by a vote of 4-3.
9:06:48 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 9:06 a.m. to 9:07 a.m.
9:07:16 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD moved to report CSSB 99(EDC), as amended, out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes. There being no objection, HCS CSSB 99(EDC) was
reported out of the House Education Standing Committee.
9:07:55 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 9:07 a.m. to 9:11 a.m.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
CONSIDERATION OF GOVERNOR'S NOMINEES
9:11:02 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced that the final order of business
would be the confirmation hearings on the governor's appointees
for various boards and commissions.
^University of Alaska Board of Regents
University of Alaska Board of Regents
9:11:44 AM
STEPHEN COLLIGAN, Appointee, University of Alaska Board of
Regents, as nominee for the University of Alaska Board of
Regents, provided his personal and professional background,
including his extensive background in software development,
Internet technology, and a digital mapping business in various
areas in the world. He noted that through the university,
workforce development continued to be addressed and continued to
improve in local communities and have job readiness in different
areas of expertise. Regarding areas of research, he expressed
his excitement that there are many opportunities unique to
Alaska both in rural studies and other Arctic nations and
stressed the importance of this uniqueness and global readiness.
He proffered that "learning how to learn" and adapting to
situations is key for students and teachers alike. He welcomed
questions from the committee.
9:17:49 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked Mr. Colligan why he wanted to be
a regent.
MR. COLLIGAN responded that he was excited about the current
board members and also acknowledged the challenges ahead. Some
of the challenges were addressed by President Pitney earlier,
notably deferred maintenance, he said. He added that in the
areas of workforce development, there is an obligation to
bolster the ability to educate a workforce and make the
University of Alaska System an asset to all Alaskans. He
reflected on being a student in the early 1980s and was now
taken aback by "how much we've come" in the last 40 years when
it comes to rural education and preparation for rural jobs.
9:20:57 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCORMICK asked Mr. Colligan who he wanted to
represent as a member on the Board of Regents, aside from
answering "all Alaskans."
MR. COLLIGAN said the Board of Regents represents the entire
university system and not all communities and campuses have the
same economic drivers, but that his intent is to create
opportunities based on each community and its needs. He gave
examples of regions and what their focus could be based on the
resources available in each community.
9:23:07 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked Mr. Colligan whether he had given
thought to what sort of process the Board of Regents should
follow to prioritize between "this and that," such as general
prioritization.
MR. COLLIGAN replied that is not easy to do statewide, depending
on the need from each campus, but the problem has to do with
deferred maintenance, he explained. He added that there are
opportunities with private partnerships to address this and
provide resources, to deepen value to the communities, and UA
would not have to go to the legislature "for a handout."
9:25:31 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked Mr. Colligan as a regent how he made
sure faculty members are heard when they comment they would like
more opportunities to speak with the Board of Regents.
MR. COLLIGAN explained that he had been careful not to "step out
of his lane" and to not micromanage. Getting input and having
people to be able to talk to is very important and, so far, he
stated, he had not experienced any barriers in getting
information. He said he admitted his focus remains on his
wheelhouse of expertise: mapping, engineering, research, and
unmanned systems.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked Mr. Colligan about his approach to
addressing students' voices.
MR. COLLIGAN confirmed there is a student representative on the
Board of Regents, which he opined is a great thing, and he
welcomed any opportunity to get feedback from students. He
added that personally he is open to taking information that
needs to reach the regents.
9:28:16 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE referred to Mr. Colligan's resume and noted
his dedication to unmanned aircraft systems and recognized that
the university seemed to be engaged in research and development
of these systems. He asked what the role of the university
system is to produce some options for drone and unmanned
aircraft delivery particularly to rural Alaska.
MR. COLLIGAN clarified that the term "drones" was very broad.
He provided his experience with the systems and that in his
geomatics business, they are used as a tool to collect data, not
as couriers. He opined that this technology should start being
taught in high school and continue in college. He emphasized
that in the large uses of drones, safety is complicated, but
their use can be beneficial to Alaska, and he added that the
university is focused on partnering with the U.S. Department of
Defense (DoD) in grants that have to do with communications and
operations of the vehicles.
9:32:29 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCORMICK, in a sequel to Representative Story's
question, asked Mr. Colligan how well he felt the needs of both
faculty and students are represented on the Board of Regents.
MR. COLLIGAN replied that in his short tenure and attending a
couple meetings, the board is given information through the
process from faculty, and in executive sessions it discusses
contracts and negotiations. In his personal and professional
life, he said, it is important to have a good, solid, and
trained workforce, and he was unaware of any discrepancies
between any students and professional staff. If there were any,
he stressed, he would want to know.
9:34:23 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE thanked Mr. Colligan.
9:34:46 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 9:34 a.m. to 9:35 a.m.
^Professional Teaching Practices Commission
Professional Teaching Practices Commission
9:35:23 AM
MICHAEL ROBBINS, Nominee, Professional Teaching Practices
Commission, as nominee for the Professional Teaching Practices
Commission (PTPC), provided his background in over three decades
dedicated to education. He said he served in various schools
and his experiences provided him with a diverse and
comprehensive understanding of the educational landscape. He
said his journey in Alaska started in the Lower Kuskokwim region
where he had the opportunity to witness the transformational
power of education, and he embraced the challenges of working in
the region. He offered his firm belief that every decision made
in education should be ultimately to serve the best interests of
the students, as well as to create an environment where every
student feels valued and supported. He thanked the committee
and said he looked forward to working collaboratively with his
team and the legislature towards a shared vision of education.
9:37:54 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY noted Mr. Robbins' student-centered
experiences and asked how this informed his role as
superintendent. She further noted the importance of ethics and
asked how his experience shaped his view toward it.
MR. ROBBINS replied that the Advancement Via Individual
Determination (AVID) program had the most leverage and impact on
student achievement and learning he had seen, making a
difference for students who "fall through the cracks."
9:41:15 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked Mr. Robbins for examples of
addressing ethics issues with teaching staff.
MR. ROBBINS answered that he takes in all the information,
facts, all sides of the story, and follows the process. He
added that he had to address the issue numerous times and, each
time a decision is made regarding an educator, they must be held
to a high standard and procedures followed.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY observed that through the Association of
Alaska School Board's (AASB) policy, it is important that
educators present information neutrally. She asked Mr. Robbins
whether he had had to deal with a big ethics correction.
MR. ROBBINS replied that one must present those topics in a
neutral way to make a judgement on them. He further elaborated
on Title 9 training.
9:44:31 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX related that when he read the statutes and
standards, he perceived it as being directed more towards
ethical behavior. He added that "there may be a difference in
teaching techniques." He asked Mr. Robbins to expound on the
role of the PTPC.
MR. ROBBINS replied he had been to only one meeting and may not
have a full scope of exactly what the whole commission does, but
that in his past experience, ethics must be a mission to uphold.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX thanked Mr. Robbins for stepping forward and
"giving this a go" and opined it would be a great contribution.
9:46:48 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCORMICK commented on Toksook Bay and asked
whether Mr. Robbins coached a championship team there.
MR. ROBBINS clarified that he was the principal and added that
he was proud of the rise in the graduation rate.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCORMICK asked Mr. Robbins to speak to the
gravity of upholding ethics in village communities, as the
situations can be different.
MR. ROBBINS expounded on Professional Boundaries training that
he stressed had a profound impact on his philosophy. He said
that in any Western Alaska village or any village, there must be
a trust between the village, the community, and the school
principal. He explained that many times principles are from
"the Outside" and building trust with the community is essential
to creating an atmosphere where students can achieve. He
correlated that in a village environment, when a student
graduates, everyone in the community graduates.
9:51:32 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT offered her background and experience
as a PTPC commissioner and the importance of maintaining an
apolitical body. She asked Mr. Robbins to comment on liberal
versus conservative ethics.
MR. ROBBINS explained that during an ongoing investigation one
must be neutral when it comes to listening to the facts of the
case. He said every different case is nuanced; there are
perspectives and people involved and the decision must be based
on the particular case. Professional lives are based upon what
is heard and the results of that; therefore, there must be a
fair and equitable process.
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT commented that there would be more
teachers than administrators on the PTPC and opined there may be
no other more important body serving families.
9:53:59 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE thanked Mr. Robbins for his willingness to
serve. He referred to the strategic plan to improve graduation
rates and asked for "a couple bullet points" on the plan.
MR. ROBBINS stressed his attempt to create a graduation plan for
every student that entails making sure students come to school
on time and get the credits they need and provides student
advocates. He also noted the availability of summer school
programs and credit recovery programs. If a student does not
have a caring adult, he said, one must be developed to help them
reach their particular goals. He provided examples of mentors
for students who offer support and help students achieve
success.
9:57:47 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE stated that the House Education Standing
Committee has received the qualifications of the governor's
appointees and recommends that the following names be forwarded
to a joint session for consideration: Stephen Colligan,
University of Alaska Board of Regents; and Michael Robbins,
Professional Teaching Practices Commission. He said that
signing the report regarding appointments to boards and
commissions in no way reflects an individual member's approval
or disapproval of the appointees, and the nomination is merely
forwarded to the full legislature for confirmation or rejection.
9:59:10 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Education Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 9:59 a.m.