03/03/2005 11:00 AM House EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB13 | |
| HB128 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 13 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 128 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
March 3, 2005
11:09 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Mark Neuman, Chair
Representative Carl Gatto
Representative Bill Thomas
Representative Peggy Wilson
Representative Les Gara
Representative Woodie Salmon
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Bob Lynn
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 13
"An Act relating to reimbursement of municipal bonds for school
construction; and providing for an effective date."
- MOVED HB 13 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 128
"An Act establishing the Alaska Schools Physical Activity Task
Force."
- HEARD AND HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 13
SHORT TITLE: SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION BOND REIMBURSEMENT
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S) GATTO, GRUENBERG
01/10/05 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 12/30/04
01/10/05 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/10/05 (H) EDU, HES, FIN
01/25/05 (H) EDU AT 11:00 AM CAPITOL 106
01/25/05 (H) -- Meeting Canceled --
02/01/05 (H) EDU AT 11:00 AM CAPITOL 106
02/01/05 (H) Heard & Held
02/01/05 (H) MINUTE(EDU)
02/22/05 (H) EDU AT 11:00 AM CAPITOL 106
02/22/05 (H) -- Meeting Canceled --
03/03/05 (H) EDU AT 11:00 AM CAPITOL 106
BILL: HB 128
SHORT TITLE: SCHOOLS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TASK FORCE
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S) MCGUIRE
02/04/05 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/04/05 (H) EDU, HES, FIN
02/24/05 (H) EDU AT 11:00 AM CAPITOL 106
02/24/05 (H) -- Meeting Canceled --
03/03/05 (H) EDU AT 11:00 AM CAPITOL 106
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE MAX GRUENBURG
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as co-sponsor to HB 13.
EDDY JEANS, Director
School Finance
Department of Education and Early Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided relevant information concerning
the Department of Education and Early Development's perspective
on HB 13.
KIM FLOYD, Specialist
Public Information
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, MSBSD
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 13 and HB 128.
MARY FRANCIS, Executive Director
Alaska Council of School Administrators
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 13.
JENNIFER APP, Director
Alaska Advocacy
American Heart Association
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 128.
TIM WALLSTROM, Ph.D.
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 128.
PHILLIP C. PETRIE, Volunteer Advocate
American Diabetes Association
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 128.
PETER MJOS, M.D.
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 128.
EMILY NENON, Director
Alaska Government Relations
American Cancer Society
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 128.
ACTION NARRATIVE
CHAIR MARK NEUMAN called the House Special Committee on
Education meeting to order at 11:09:28 AM. Representatives
Gatto, Thomas, and Gara were present at the call to order.
Representatives Salmon and Wilson arrived as the meeting was in
progress.
HB 13-SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION BOND REIMBURSEMENT
CHAIR NEUMAN announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 13 "An Act relating to reimbursement of municipal
bonds for school construction; and providing for an effective
date."
11:10:38 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GATTO, sponsor to HB 13, stated that this
legislation is a way for urban districts to finance school
construction. He said that there is a shortage of space in
several areas in Alaska, specifically in the Mat-Su Valley and
Anchorage and as schools deteriorate, they need replacement. He
related that this bill allows for the construction of schools
where the state supplies 70 percent of the cost and the
homeowners and residents of the area supply 30 percent.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS commented that Haines is an organized
municipality and qualifies [for the proposed legislation].
REPRESENTATIVE GATTO stated that he is unaware of any areas in
the state that would not qualify for the "70/30" division of
funding. He remarked that this funding is open to everyone in
the state if those interested, apply.
CHAIR NEUMAN asked if this legislation will act like a new
school bond or if it can be used for repairs and maintenance.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTO said that this legislation does not cover
routine repairs and maintenance, but does apply to
reconstruction or major maintenance.
11:13:55 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GARA commented that this legislation is something
that wealthier [or urban] districts in the state can take
advantage of. Since many of the rural communities don't do
matching bond contributions, he related, those schools are
usually funded through an appropriation. He said that if school
construction is pushed in places that need it, then he would
like a commitment from the sponsor to address the needs of rural
districts [that cannot benefit from this legislation]. He
questioned if [this legislation] is viewed as a global way to
help all the school districts. He asked if Representative Gatto
supports the funding of rural school district construction and
maintenance.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTO reminded Representative Gara that
legislation enabling the "70/30" split construction issue
expired [January 1, 2005]. He related that some districts
didn't have bonding available or didn't put bonding out at the
time. He explained that this bill extends the old bill to July
1, 2006 and gives [urban communities] an opportunity to put
bonding out there. The important part of this legislation is
the commitment from a community to fund 30 percent [of school
construction costs]. He inquired as to the percentages supplied
by rural communities to cover school construction costs.
REPRESENTATIVE GARA said that this bill only applies to school
districts that have a tax base that bond, and it doesn't apply
to the REAA's (Rural Education Attendance Areas) or to the
smaller communities that don't bond. He explained, "if I feel
that we're not going to be supportive to the bush communities
and help them with their maintenance and construction problems
... I think I will end up fighting this ... I think all of the
school districts need help in this area ... I am not going to
get into a regional war where we are trying to do something for
our own districts but not for other people's districts ... what
I was really looking for was a commitment that we could all work
together to ... get through the maintenance and construction
list for those schools that aren't going to benefit from this
bill."
REPRESENTATIVE GATTO stated that he can commit to "work." He
said that this legislation is available to any district that
applies for [school construction funding assistance].
11:17:11 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GARA stated that the small, rural, and REAA
districts don't apply and can't apply, so they might want to,
but they are unable to. He explained that he will support this
legislation as long as he feels that there will be support for
the rural districts when that time comes.
CHAIR NEUMAN said that Mr. Jeans will be available to answer
questions concerning issues of funding in rural districts.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS pointed out that the Haines Borough
recently went through an election to bond and it will cost $2.67
"mills" that they are willing to put on their "mill" rate to
build a new school. He said, "it depends on what definition ...
they are rural because they are an organized municipality ...
and they are going to borrow 17 or 16 because the state ...
they're under the old plan, 70/30, and are willing to do that
... it did pass ... little towns are willing to do it, but at a
big expense ... three of the schools are ready to fall down ...
it is cheaper to build a new one than it is to replace or
remodel the old ones."
11:19:40 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBURG stated that he is sensitive to the
issues in bush communities and has made commitments to the bush
caucus in helping provide for school construction. He
emphasized that he wants to move HB 13 forward, while keeping in
mind the needs of bush communities.
11:21:38 AM
EDDY JEANS, Director, School Finance, Department of Education
and Early Development, (EED), stated that he had previously
given testimony on HB 13 and had described the position of the
EED.
CHAIR NEUMAN asked Mr. Jeans to give the committee an idea on
how to address the needs of rural Alaska with the construction
of new schools and the repair [of old schools].
MR. JEANS replied that the mechanism is already in place and the
EED has a process where the new construction and major
maintenance requests, from school districts, are evaluated. He
explained that the lists are prioritized for the legislature.
On the EED's web page, he related, there is the school
construction list as well as the major maintenance list. He
reminded the committee that the governor has recommended in his
budget, that the first 20 projects on the major maintenance
[list] be funded this session. The process is there, he said,
and the list is there, and it is up to the legislature to
consider those requests.
REPRESENTATIVE GARA inquired as to the types of schools included
on the major maintenance list.
MR. JEANS stated that [the list] includes any school district
that applies. It is up to the school districts to apply, he
said, and after they apply the EED goes through the
prioritization process.
11:24:48 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GARA stated that, in 2002, [the legislature]
passed the last big bonding proposal, including a state bond for
rural districts, and a match for the districts that contributed.
He inquired as to what Anchorage funded through its 30 percent
match and if they were schools on the major maintenance list.
He asked if schools that are on the major maintenance list are
the ones that end up not being bonded through the local match
program.
MR. JEANS explained that on the 2002 "statewide geo bond list"
of schools, there was one project from the Anchorage School
District and the rest were REAA school districts. He said that
at the same time that that "geo bond package" was approved by
the voters, the debt reimbursement program opened up and was
available to all municipalities. Included in that legislation,
he related, was that the grant program was closed to municipal
school districts because the debt program was available to them.
That legislation has "sunsetted", he said, so the two lists that
the EED compiled this year include both REAA's and municipal
school districts.
REPRESENTATIVE GARA asked if non-REAA districts have the ability
to bond.
MR. JEANS said that non-REAA districts have the ability to bond,
but they may not have the capacity [to bond].
CHAIR NEUMAN asked Mr. Jeans to explain what REAA stands for.
MR. JEANS said that REAA stands for Regional Education
Attendance Area.
REPRESENTATIVE SALMON inquired as to how HB 13 affects the
priority list of school construction.
MR. JEANS explained that it does not affect the school
construction list or the major maintenance list, other than if
this bill was to pass, those municipalities that have projects
on those lists could go back to their voters, get approval and
bond for those projects.
In response to Representative Salmon, Mr. Jeans said that the
two different programs require separate appropriations. He
explained that going into the 2007 budget, the EED is requesting
$86 million to fund the debt reimbursement program for fiscal
year 2006. He mentioned that the governor has requested $28
million for the first twenty projects on the major maintenance
list.
11:29:29 AM
KIM FLOYD, Public Information Specialist, Matanuska-Susitna
Borough School District, (MSBSD), stated that the MSBSD has a
school on "deed's" priority list for school construction and the
state would have to invest $440 million before that school is
built. She said that this school was needed three years ago.
She continued:
We have an average annual growth rate, in our
district, of approxiamtely 7 percent ... 500 - 600 new
kids each year ... the Knick Goose Bay area is the
fastest growing area in the state of Alaska ... our
school is number 31 on the "deed priority list", $440
million dollars before we get there, we need some
relief, we're asking for help; I do hope that HB 13
can pass out of this committee, today, so that the
conversation can continue. We are not trying to, by
any means, create a regional debate. The reality is,
with 500 to 600 kids new to our district every year,
it is the equivalent of a new elementary school.
We've had 300 new kids just since the count period
ended. They are coming both from in the state and
from out of the state. As you can imagine, this is
creating great strain on our existing facilities,
currently we have 52 portable classrooms in use
throughout our district, approximately 12 percent of
our students are educated in portable classrooms.
They are fine for a temporary "stop gap" measure, but
they certainly aren't a long-term investment in
infrastructure. Those schools will still be needed
thrity years down the road and portables certainly
don't have that type of lifespan.
CHAIR NEUMAN inquired as to the associated costs of using
portable classrooms.
MS. FLOYD said that each portable costs $70,000 to build and
install plus the additional heating and electricity costs after
installation. She explained that portables do not have
[restroom] facilities and children are required to leave
classrooms, unattended, and enter the main building. She
pointed out that the MSBSD has a comprehensive, 20 year facility
plan, has updated the 6 year plan submitted to "deed" each year,
and are actively working with developers in the Mat-Su community
to make sure that planning is efficient and cost effective. She
emphasized that the MSBSD feels as though they have been
extremely good stewards for bonding projects in the past, and
expect to be in the future.
CHAIR NEUMAN asked Ms. Floyd to comment on the process that the
MSBSD will go through if HB 13 passes.
11:34:22 AM
MS. FLOYD stated that the MSBSD has a 6 year "sub" plan that is
given to the state to look at the capital infrastructure needs.
The priority list generated from that plan helps to create a
bond package list and that is forwarded to the borough assembly,
she related. The borough assembly analyzes the needs and may
repackage what the MSBSD created, she explained, and then they
approve an intiative for the ballot. She pointed out that once
that passes, the MSBSD must wait 4 years before the [new] school
actually opens. She added that if the MSBSD were to
successfully bond this fall, the new schools would not open
until 2009. She emphasized that new schools were needed 3 years
ago. She stated that MSBSD will need short term solutions in
the meantime.
CHAIR NEUMAN inquired as to the number of schools in the MSBSD
that are over capacity.
MS. FLOYD stated that there are 36 schools in the MSBSD; of the
17 elementary schools, the majority are in the Palmer-Wasilla
area and there is not a single empty classroom. She explained
that even with increased operating monies, class sizes cannot be
reduced. She said that the MSBSD is at a critical point of
looking at options that aren't acceptable to parents and that
don't meet community expectations for quality education. She
added that last year the funding that the legislature
appropriated helped reduce class sizes at the Kindergarten
level.
CHAIR NEUMAN asked about the growth rate of the MSBSD.
MS. FLOYD stated that the MSBSD has a growth rate of 500 to 600
students a year with an average annual growth of about 7
percent. She said that population forecasts estimate the MSBSD
will be bigger than the [Anchorage School District] in 30 years.
11:37:01 AM
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS asked for clarification related to the
MSBSD going under the last bond issue and applying for [new]
schools.
MS. FLOYD stated in the fall of 2003, the MSBSD passed $56
million in bonds. In response to Representative Thomas's follow
up question regarding the application for more bonds, Ms. Floyd
explained that last year, the MSBSD was faced with a 13 percent
increase in assessed evaluations and that is the MSBSD's only
source of revenue in the community for borough operations or for
payment on bond debt. She said that the MSBSD was faced with a
sales tax that was 1 percent borough wide, and dealing with
discussions on real estate transfer fees and gravel extraction
taxes. She said:
We try very hard to make sure that we are in
communication with all stakeholders in our community
and the belief at that time was it was not a good
idea, in that environment, to go forth with a school
bond. We tend to be a little reactive in our
community, we're learning to grow up, and we weren't
quite at the crisis point that people felt that those
bonds could have been successful in that environment.
We're there now. We're at the precipice, we're going
over ... we did do a survey this past fall, we asked
residents how they felt about an $80 million dollar
bond package, which would include 3 elementary schools
and a high school - all needed projects. With the
"70/30" bond debt reimbursement, we had a 75 percent
support ... people know we've reached that edge ...
our community is ready, and we would appreciate an
extension and an opportunity to address our student's
needs."
11:39:19 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GATTO asked if the opening of the new hospital is
included in the population growth prediction.
MS. FLOYD said yes, along with the retail bloom that is
occurring and the building of the biggest Wal-Mart in the state.
She said that it is staggering to listen to developers and hear
about what will hit the community around the MSBSD.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS inquired as to the the Mat-Su community
utilizing "forgiveness taxes".
MS. FLOYD stated that the MSBSD is trying very hard to meet with
developers and plan how to deal with the coming changes in the
community. She said that the MSBSD feels that there is a very
valuable public/private partnership that needs to happen.
11:42:02 AM
CHAIR NEUMAN commented that property taxes in the Mat-Su Borough
have risen over 40 percent in the last 3 years, with another
expected rise of almost 13 percent this year. He emphasized
that the community is willing, despite these tax increases, to
support the school bond.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTO inquired as to the development of a
vocational technology focused high school and if it will affect
the need for more funds.
MS. FLOYD stated that the career and "vo-tech" high schools were
part of the last bond package that was passed. She stated that
there will also be an elementary school that will open in the
fall of 2006, and it will be completely filled by the time it
opens. She emphasized that these new schools will be at their
maximum capacity when they open.
REPRESENTATIVE WILSON stated that her district is losing so many
teachers and programs, that it is hard to imagine how difficult
the MSBSD situation is.
MS. FLOYD said the the MSBSD realizes that this situation is
very different than most districts in the state. She said that
though they are addressing the situation adequately, the time
has come where the MSBSD needs help.
MS. FLOYD commented that the MSBSD will start surveying students
and investigating where they are coming from. She mentioned
that after Christmas break, at Goose Bay Elementary School, 10
students were enrolled that came from out of state.
In response to Chair Neuman's comments on the benefits of "vo-
tech" schools, Ms. Floyd stated that the MSBSD has the most
highly recognized career and technical education programs in the
nation.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTO commented that the top six welding students
all came from one school in the [Mat-Su] Valley. He also stated
that the issues of growth in the Mat-Su Valley are causing
severe expenses.
11:46:36 AM
MARY FRANCIS, Executive Director, Alaska Council of School
Administrators, (ACSA), stated that there are schools all over
the state in need of construction and major maintenance, and the
ACSA supports the continuation of the debt reimbursement
program. She explained that the ACSA has a resolution that
advocates for fully funding previously approved bonds as well as
the continuation of the program. As you know, she said, there
have been many years of minimal funding for school construction
and major maintenance and it has created a huge need statewide.
She mentioned that because there are high needs now, there are
many municipalities that are willing to kick in their share of
30 or 40 percent [for construction and maintenance of schools]
and the ACSA would very much support this legislation and hope
that it passes out of committee.
REPRESENTATIVE GARA asked if the ACSA has a position on the
proposal for how much should be funded to get through the major
maintenance and construction list.
MS. FRANCIS stated that the ACSA supports following the list
that the EED creates. She explained that the ACSA feels that
the process by which people apply for placement on the EED's
list is very thorough. She pointed out that the ACSA supports
the funding of all school districts in the state of Alaska.
REPRESENTATIVE GARA inquired as to the ACSA having a proposal on
how far through the list the legislature should go this year, to
be equitable.
MS. FRANCIS stated that the ACSA has not addressed that issue,
yet.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTO asked for clarification about an earlier
comment concerning full funding of existing bonding.
MS. FRANCIS stated that some of the school districts were
concerned that [the legislature] would cancel what was
previously approved for bonding.
11:50:05 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GATTO moved to report HB 13 out of committee with
individual recommendations and the attached fiscal notes. There
being no objections, HB 13 was reported out of the House Special
Committee on Education.
HB 128-SCHOOLS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TASK FORCE
CHAIR NEUMAN announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 128 "An Act establishing the Alaska Schools
Physical Activity Task Force."
11:50:45 AM
SHALON SZYMANSKI, staff to Representative Lesil McGuire,
presented the background information on HB 128 on behalf of
sponsor, Representative McGuire. She stated that, according to
the American Obesity Association, more than 30 percent of U.S.
children and adolescents are overweight or obese and studies
have shown that overweight children are more likely to become
overweight adults with a variety of medical problems, including
diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancers and high cholesterol.
She said that a recent study in the Anchorage School District
found that 36 percent of Anchorage school students are either
overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. She continued:
The National Association of Sports and Physical
Education recommends elementary school students
receive at least 150 minutes of physical activity per
week, and that middle and high school students receive
at least 225 minutes per week. The Center for Disease
Control recommends at least 30 minutes of physical
activity per day. With all of these known
recommendations from experts, Anchorage, Fairbanks,
and Valdez school districts are requiring that only
middle school students receive daily physical
education. Elementary school students in these
districts are receiving only two 30 to 40 minute
physical education periods per week ... the four years
that students are in high school, they're required to
take only a year and a half of [physical education] in
order to graduate. The level of [physical education]
required in these schools is clearly lower than what
is recommended by health education and health experts.
This task force, if established, would be made up of
school officials from both urban and rural areas,
physicians, a member from the Department of Education
and Early Development, and legislators. We do
recognize different schools have different facilities
available to them, for [physical education] and it
would be up to this task force to determine an
effective and economical way to increase [physical
education] within the existing school infrastructure.
The task force will also look into whether new laws or
regulations are necessary to provide more physical
activities in schools and consider whether school
construction requirements should be changed to
facilitate more [physical education]. Many other
state legislatures across the nation have taken
similar steps in addressing the problem of the growing
number of overweight children ... Alaska should
consider following their lead. Creating this task
force would be a step in the right direction.
11:55:05 AM
JENNIFER APP, Alaska Advocacy Director, American Heart
Association, stated her support of HB 128. She opined that Ms.
Szymanski covered many of the statistics that are important
around childhood obesity. She highlighted the remarkable
connection between childhood obesity and later incidents of
cardiovascular disease. She related that new studies have shown
that young teenagers are exhibiting the kinds of heart health
traits that typically have not been seen until middle age [of
adults]. She said that usually, the average lifespan of
[Americans] increases every year, but this is the first time in
decades that average lifespans are decreasing [due to obesity].
She emphasized that this bill is a step in the right direction.
She explained that childhood obesity is caused by two major
problems, lack of physical exercise and poor nutrition. She
said that different schools will need different solutions, but
beginning to proactively address this problem with a task force
is an important way to show that the legislature cares about
child health and recognizes that obesity is a serious problem.
She pointed out that a task force could really give input and
guidelines to elementary schools, middle schools and high
schools to improve children's health and insure that kids are
learning how to be active throughout their life.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTO inquired as to the obesity rates of
children entering Kindergarten.
MS. APP stated that as children move through the school system,
they are exceeding the normal weight limit. She explained that
the percentage of overweight children in Kindergarten is smaller
than the percentage of overweight students in the eighth grade.
In response to Representative Gatto's question about family
responsibility with obesity, Ms. App explained that there are a
combination of responsibilties. She continued, "A couple of
trends have happened over the past couple of decades, and they
... accompany this rise in obesity ... a decrease in physical
education in schools ... as we've seen that [physical education]
requirement decline, we've seen childhood obesity increase ...
we know that some kids, the only exercise that they are going to
get is at school...the one other thing ... a ... correlation
between physical activity in schools and a child's ability to
learn ... some schools are cutting recesses, as well as cutting
[physical education] and teachers are having a harder time
controlling children who don't get outside and burn off some
energy ... studies ... show that kids ... learn better if they
get out and exercise a little bit.
12:02:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WILSON stated that another correlation with
obesity is the presence of televisions in homes, and in
children's bedrooms. She opined that schools cannot be expected
to act as parents and that prevention is the key to obesity
problems. She expressed her hope that the American Heart
Association promotes the education of parents on healthy
lifestyle practices, such as getting physically active outside
with children and good nutrition.
MS. APP agreed that the education of parents is important and
that those programs are being undertaken by the American Heart
Association. She explained that the school environment is the
only place for some children to learn physical activity skills.
She said that this bill is about setting up a task force to
figure out the best ways to improve the physical activity of
Alaskans. She reiterated that regular physical activity has a
direct correlation to improving test scores.
TIM WALLSTROM, Ph.D., University of Alaska at Anchorage, stated
that he is on the board for the Alaska Association for Health,
Physical Education, Recreation and Dance and is the chair of
Alaskans Promoting Physical Activity Committee which is a
subcommittee of the Take Heart Alaska Coalition. He said that
he is encouraged by the introduction of this bill and hopes that
it passes from the committee so the task force can begin its
work. He explained the importance of physical education at the
elementary school level where fundamental movement skills are
taught and currently, too many schools in Alaska do not have
educators who know how to teach fundamental movement skills. He
pointed out that once children leave sixth grade, it is unlikely
that someone will teach them fundamental movement skills, such
as throwing a ball. He said, "you have probably heard the old
sexist expression, 'throws like a girl' or 'runs like a girl',
and those are for folks who exhibit what we call immature motor
patterns who have not been taught how to run, have not been
taught how to throw, and folks who aren't skilled or competent
movers tend to choose activities which don't involve movement
... that is a very strong factor when it comes to choosing
sedentary lifestyles which is ... an important piece of the
inactivity cycle which leads to obesity ... heart disease,
diabetes, and cancer."
12:09:04 PM
PHILLIP PETRIE, volunteer advocate, American Diabetes
Association, stated that he is in support of HB 128. He
explained that the American Cancer Society, the Heart
Association, and the American Diabetes Association have
developed a joint position statement on physical education and
schools and with youth. He said that he has type 2 diabetes and
that up until now, type 2 diabetes has occurred primarily in
middle aged adults but now, children as young as 4 years old are
being diagnosed. He pointed out that this is not the sole
responsibility of schools and that parents should be held
responsible [for their children's health]. He recalled the
program [from his youth] called "the President's physical
fitness challenge" and said that everyone in his school wanted
to be a member of the president's team. He opined that similar
programs are needed in schools today as there has been a
terrible decline of physical education. He expressed his hope
that priorities are redeveloped so that physical education takes
a vital part in schools as well as at home and after school for
children.
12:11:00 PM
PETER MJOS, M.D., stated that, as a physician, he has been
directly involved with obesity related issues for over twenty
years. He explained his participation with the "Alaska American
Academy of Pediatric Sports Medicine Group" and their success
through the 15th Legislature in obtaining a resolution voicing
the state's strong support of the concept of daily quality
vigorous physical education in grades K-12. He informed that he
was one of the founders of Take Heart Alaska, the state's
cardiovascular disease prevention task force, and served as vice
president for many years. He said that he served on the
American Heart Association Northwest Region Advocacy Board I has
been a board member of American Circumpolar Society for
Cicumpolar health. He pointed out that he represents the
American Academy of Family Practice. He added that his
involvement in these programs has been motivated by witnessing a
steady deterioration of the health of children and adults. He
said:
We're now in about the fourth or fifth generation of
adults who are completely sedentary and subsequently
as role models, as parents, the physical activity
levels of children has deteriorated almost to nothing,
as I will try and demonstrate ... We are no longer
merely in the grip of an epidemic, that's not
hyperbole, that is the description from the Center for
Disease Control and Prevention, but we are in fact
besieged by ... a crisis of health ... the scope of
which includes ... diabetes type 2 ... hypertension
... and a cascade of cardiovascular and inflammatory
conditions. American adults are ... 70 percent
overweight or obese and children are at least 30
percent obese or overweight and these figures are,
according to the CDC, exaggerated in rural Alaska. In
weight management, it remains true, it is a matter of
calories in, and calories out, it is the calories out
factor which HB 128 addresses. For obese children
from even the earliest preschoolers, obesity
[according to former surgeon general, Dr. David
Satcher], "dooms them to a life of illness and
societal disfunction from which recovery is nearly
impossible and their burden falls not only on
themselves but on families and society at large"...
DR. MJOS stated that sedentary obese students suffer from a wide
variety of disabilities including feeling poorly, eating poorly,
sleeping poorly, very risky behaviors including disciplinary
problems, substance abuse and smoking. He explained that fit
students will likely become fit adults with improved behaviors,
less risky behaviors, and the ability to learn.
EMILY NENON, Alaska Government Relations Director, American
Cancer Society, (ACS), stated her support on behalf of the ACS
of HB 128. She explained that ACS is involved in this issue
because one third of all cancers are related to lack of physical
activity and poor nutrition. She said that ACS's support of
this task force is only one of a multi-pronged approach of
dealing with this issue; the ACS is working with communties, and
participating in city planning. She added that ACS is focusing
on schools because that is where children are.
12:18:07 PM
MS. FLOYD stated that the MSBSD has a task force that addresses
the quality of nutrition in schools and that has been trying to
bring in more locally grown produce and introduce that into
student lunches. She explained that healthy alternatives to
using vending machines are being explored. She said that
increased funding from the legislature last year enabled the
MSBSD to add Physical Education back to middle school, for each
student, every day. She pointed out that now, fighting obesity
is a community responsibility and, "the minute it becomes a
mandate for schools, it's the schools reponsibility alone, so we
would like the opportunity to continue to work in our community
as a task force in addressing what is right for our students."
REPRESENTATIVE WILSON clarified that the MSBSD does not want any
unfunded mandates concerning school repsponsibility with
obesity.
MS. FLOYD said that she is pleased with the level of physical
education teachers in the MSBSD and their understanding of the
importance of good programs for children. She added that these
teachers are on top of brain research that shows the importance
of integrating fundamental movements in physical education class
and in the classroom.
REPRESENTATIVE GARA explained that if a higher amount of
Physical Education is mandated in every school district in the
state, [it would not be fair because] some school districts
don't have the space or the staff to do that. The approach of
this bill addresses that and says that ideas are needed from the
experts in the community to figure out a way to help maximize
the amount of physical education provided. He explained that no
mandates would come out of this bill, but that this bill would
come out with ideas and proposals. He commented that
Representative McGuire, the Department of Education, Carol
Comeau and others sat down and tried to figure out a way to move
the forward without mandates.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTO stated his concerns about passing
legislation for increasing physical education. He said that he
was curious about how elementary school teachers would be
affected.
MS. FLOYD stated that with the current school structure, some
part of the curriculum would be displaced but there is room to
talk about extended learning opportunities, and other programs
that can help improve the physical activity of our students.
12:23:18 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARA stated that Physical Education does not have
to displace other parts of the curriculum and the aim of the
task force bill is to come up with a way to maximize the amount
of physical education taught within the existing resources that
exist. He mentioned physical education coordinators and how [in
Anchorage] they visit schools and strategize with teachers to
incorporate more activity into the school day. He emphasized
that the point of HB 128 is to ask people trained in physical
education to provide ideas and information to better assist
issues that arise as a result of obesity and inactivity within
schools.
[HB 128 was held over.]
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Education meeting was adjourned at 12:25:32
PM.
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