Legislature(1993 - 1994)
02/18/1993 03:00 PM House HES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES
STANDING COMMITTEE
February 18, 1993
3:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Rep. Cynthia Toohey, Co-Chair, arrived later
Rep. Con Bunde, Co-Chair
Rep. Gary Davis, Vice Chair
Rep. Al Vezey
Rep. Pete Kott
Rep. Harley Olberg
Rep. Irene Nicholia
Rep. Tom Brice
MEMBERS ABSENT
Rep. Bettye Davis
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
*HB 84: "An Act implementing certain recommendations of
Alaska 2000 to improve the state's education
system; and providing for an effective date."
HEARD AND HELD
*HB 85: "An Act relating to the public school foundation
program; and providing for an effective date."
NOT HEARD - HELD TO A TIME CERTAIN
(* First public hearing.)
WITNESS REGISTER
JERRY COVEY, Commissioner
Alaska Department of Education
801 W. 10th St., Suite 200
Juneau, Alaska 99801-1894
Phone: 465-2800
Position Statement: Presented an overview of HB 84
PATRICIA GAKIN
P.O. Box 871304
Wasilla, Alaska 99687
Phone: (907) 373-4717
Position Statement: Asked questions on HB 84
(Testified via teleconference)
BILL MONROE
2950 Marianne
Wasilla, Alaska 99687
Phone: (907) 376-4269
Position Statement: Asked questions on HB 84
(Testified via teleconference)
DUANE GUILEY, Director
Division of Education Finance and Support Services
Department of Education
801 W. 10th St.
Juneau, Alaska 99801-1894
Phone: (907) 465-2891
Position Statement: Answered questions on HB 84
MICHAEL MURPHY, Member
Nome School Board
P.O. Box 1062
Nome, Alaska 99762
Phone: (907) 443-2043
Position Statement: Commented on HB 84, opposed current
tenure law
(Testified via teleconference)
MIKE LITMAN, Member
Sitka School Board
P.O. Box 1971
Sitka, Alaska 99835
Phone: (907) 747-3660
Position Statement: Supported HB 84
(Testified via teleconference)
LARRY WIGET
Legislative Liaison
Anchorage School District
4600 DeBarr Road
Anchorage, Alaska 99508-3195
Phone: (907) 269-2255
Position Statement: Supported HB 84, asked questions
(Testified via teleconference)
REVA SHIRCEL, Education Director
Tanana Chiefs Conference
122 First St.
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
Phone: (907) 452-8251
Position Statement: Asked questions on HB 84
(Testified via teleconference)
CARL ROSE, Executive Director
Association of Alaska School Boards
316 W. 11th St.
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Phone: (907) 586-1083
Position Statement: Testified on HB 84
SUZANNE CYR
P.O. Box 873663
Wasilla, Alaska 99687
Phone: (907) 376-1139
Position Statement: Testified on HB 84
(Testified via teleconference)
ROSE SMITH
1140 Gail Drive
Wasilla, Alaska 99687
Phone: (907) 376-2517
Position Statement: Testified on HB 84
(Testified via teleconference)
ROBERT THOMPSON
HC01 6875C
Palmer, Alaska 99645
Phone: (907) 745-2019
Position Statement: Opposed HB 84
(Testified via teleconference)
CLAUDIA DOUGLAS, President
National Education Association-Alaska
114 Second St.
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Phone: (907) 586-3090
Position Statement: Testified on HB 84
SHARON NORTON, President
Ketchikan School District
8302 S. Tongass Highway
Ketchikan, Alaska 99901
Phone: (907) 225-2479
Position Statement: Opposed HB 84
(Testified via teleconference)
PATSY AAMODT
North Slope Borough School District
P.O. Box 169
Barrow, Alaska 99723
Phone: (907) 852-5311
Position Statement: Opposed HB 84
(Testified via teleconference)
ANDY ZAJAC, President
Copper Valley Teachers Association
P.O. Box 208
Copper Center, Alaska 99573
Phone: (907) 822-3018
Position Statement: Opposed HB 84
(Testified via teleconference)
PAM DARNALL
P.O. Box 55257
Fairbanks, Alaska 99705
Phone: (907) 488-9703
Position Statement: Opposed SB 61
(Testified via teleconference)
CAROL EVANS
1212 Farmers Loop
Fairbanks, Alaska 99705
Phone: (907) 479-5407
Position Statement: Opposed HB 84
(Testified via teleconference)
PREVIOUS ACTION
BILL: HB 84
SHORT TITLE: IMPLEMENT ALASKA 2000 RECOMMENDATIONS
BILL VERSION:
SPONSOR(S): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
TITLE: "An Act implementing certain recommendations of
Alaska 2000 to improve the state's education system; and
providing for an effective date."
JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION
01/22/93 135 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME/REFERRAL(S)
01/22/93 135 (H) HES, JUDICIARY, FINANCE
01/22/93 135 (H) -FISCAL NOTE (DOE) 1/22/93
01/22/93 136 (H) GOVERNOR'S TRANSMITTAL LETTER
02/18/93 (H) HES AT 03:00 PM CAPITOL 106
BILL: HB 85
SHORT TITLE: PUBLIC SCHOOL FOUNDATION PROGRAM
BILL VERSION:
SPONSOR(S): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
TITLE: "An Act relating to the public school foundation
program; and providing for an effective date."
JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION
01/22/93 138 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME/REFERRAL(S)
01/22/93 138 (H) HES, FINANCE
01/22/93 138 (H) -FISCAL NOTE (DOE) 1/22/93
01/22/93 138 (H) GOVERNOR'S TRANSMITTAL LETTER
02/18/93 (H) HES AT 03:00 PM CAPITOL 106
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 93-16, SIDE A
Number 000
CHAIR BUNDE called the meeting to order at 3:07 p.m. and
noted members present. Rep. B. Davis was ill, and Rep. G.
Davis was on-line via teleconference from Soldotna. Chair
Bunde announced that the meeting was being teleconferenced
to Juneau, Anchorage, Barrow, Fairbanks, Glennallen, Mat-Su,
Nome, Sitka, Soldotna, Tok and Valdez. He announced the
meeting calendar, and noted that the committee would hear
testimony, but would not take action at this meeting.
(Rep. B. Davis arrived at 3:01 p.m.)
HB 84: IMPLEMENT ALASKA 2000 RECOMMENDATIONS
Number 047
JERRY COVEY, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DOE),
began his overview presentation on HB 84, containing some of
the ideas contained in the Alaska 2000 proposals. He stated
the changes should be placed in statute, not in regulation,
and as such, require legislative action. He proposed a
brief presentation on the bill's five parts. The first was
to increase the school year to 200 days from 180 days by the
year 2000. Commissioner Covey said America rates behind
other leading industrialized nations in terms of educational
commitment, and only slightly less farther behind in
students' science and math achievement. He said no fiscal
note was advanced with the bill, but the bill was important
and needed societal commitment.
Number 100
CHAIR BUNDE interrupted and asked for preliminary questions.
REP. NICHOLIA asked if the extended school year would bring
more money.
Number 110
COMMISSIONER COVEY responded that the longer year would
require expansion of the foundation formula funding.
REP. VEZEY asked if the 10 percent increase in school year
would bring a 10 percent increase in funding.
Number 120
COMMISSIONER COVEY answered that public schools cost $3
million to operate each day, and there would be some
increase in funding. But instead of requiring a $60 million
increase ($3 million multiplied by 20 days), it might be
possible for some school districts to use the extra time in
ways that might cost less than regular instruction, he said.
Number 160
REP. VEZEY asked a clarifying question.
COMMISSIONER COVEY responded that some districts might spend
less than usual on the extra days, and some might continue
normal instruction at normal cost.
REP. VEZEY asked whether there was public support for an
extended school year, given the comfortable salaries already
paid to teachers for nine-month school years.
COMMISSIONER COVEY answered that public support would depend
on the results produced. He said he felt a responsibility
not to merely add days and have business as usual, and to
that end, the department was proposing many other
simultaneous changes in addition to the extended school
year, which he believed would help students get better
educations, which would in turn bring greater public
support. The current system was not producing sufficient
quality of education.
REP. VEZEY asked if other states were extending their school
years.
COMMISSIONER COVEY answered that the 180-day school year is
the national average. He said some schools in Alaska were
experimenting with extending their school years. Some
districts in the nation are going to 200-day years, or year
round school. Some states are proposing extensions of their
school years.
Number 218
CHAIR BUNDE noted that Ketchikan was on-line via
teleconference. He said he considered HB 84 and HB 85 bare
bones proposals, and urged committee members, witnesses and
others to submit specific suggestions and amendments for the
committee's consideration. He expressed the opinion that
the longer school year would be an ideal time to allow
smaller student-teacher ratios, and more instruction for
both gifted and underachieving students.
Number 236
REP. BRICE asked for an example of how the extra 20 school
days could be used, and asked how the current educational
programs were deficient.
COMMISSIONER COVEY said the deficiency is that the school
system is educating 30 percent of students at best to world
class standards. He said the state does not propose
dictating specific programmatic changes to local districts,
but rather define expectations for students, teachers,
parents and school boards, and make them make their own
decisions.
REP. KOTT asked for research demonstrating the benefits of
extended school years.
Number 260
COMMISSIONER COVEY said he would provide some research from
the department on other states' experiences with longer
school years.
(Rep. Toohey arrived 3:24 p.m.)
Number 294
REP. NICHOLIA asked if Commissioner Covey had considered how
the extended school year would affect students and families
practicing subsistence hunting or fishing.
COMMISSIONER COVEY responded that he had, and the special
priorities and scheduling concerns of urban and rural areas
were considered. He said they would like to leave it to
local districts to decide when to add the extra time.
REP. NICHOLIA asked if Commissioner Covey would consider
allowing classes in the middle of summer.
COMMISSIONER COVEY answered that such scheduling decisions
would be up to the local districts. He said some districts
do start school in August, then close for a few weeks to
allow fall subsistence activities.
Number 328
CHAIR BUNDE invited those on teleconference to ask their
questions on the extended school year.
PATRICIA GAKIN, testifying from Mat-Su, asked how the
Department of Education (DOE) would guarantee student
attendance and learning during a 200-day school year.
COMMISSIONER COVEY said local districts set attendance
policies, though the state statutes requires attendance for
students aged six to 16. The average state attendance is 93
percent, with districts ranging from a low of 83 percent to
a high of 97 percent, he said. He stated he could not
guarantee learning, but said the other changes in Alaska
2000 would set student performance standards. He noted it
is up to the public to ensure compliance with the standards.
BILL MONROE, testifying from Mat-Su, said the district is
underfunded now, and asked how the extra 20 days would be
funded.
COMMISSIONER COVEY answered that the legislature, through
the foundation formula, is ultimately responsible for
funding the extra time. He said that increasing the state's
educational effort relative to other countries would require
some sacrifice in other areas.
Number 385
REP. GARY DAVIS, testifying from Soldotna, expressed pride
in the Kenai Peninsula School District, and asked whether
students statewide were a year and more advanced than
students from other states.
COMMISSIONER COVEY answered that students around the state
are both ahead of and behind students in other states.
Number 417
COMMISSIONER COVEY continued his presentation on HB 84,
turning to funding grants for school improvement. Interest
earnings from the state's $125 million public education
trust fund have been used to date to offset foundation
formula program costs. The state proposes to put half of
those earnings into a fund for school improvement, and to
give grants to school districts for research into classroom
improvement. The current funding system provides operating
expenses, but not seed money for experimentation. He said
it was reasonable to provide $4.5 million for research, out
of more than $700 million in annual education costs.
Number 446
COMMISSIONER COVEY mentioned advisory school boards, similar
to those now required by Rural Education Attendance Areas,
as a way to answer parent interest in increased
participation in local school activities. The proposal
would allow local school boards to designate existing
groups, such as Parent-Teacher Associations, to serve as
advisory boards.
Number 460
COMMISSIONER COVEY discussed tenure review committees, an
attempt to respond to concerns over the divisive issue by
increasing attention on the tenure review process. The
proposal would establish a tenure review committee including
teachers, parents, and one student at lest 16 years old, who
would review teacher evaluations and make non-binding
recommendations to the local school board. Commissioner
Covey said teachers have told him that undeserving teachers
are winning tenure through insufficient attention to
evaluations.
Number 483
COMMISSIONER COVEY mentioned charter schools. He said the
DOE proposes a three-year pilot charter school project,
which could establish up to 40 charter schools in about 10
percent of the state's existing schools. He defined a
charter school as an alternative education program, such as
the alternative schools that already exist in some schools.
They would operate entirely within the public education
system, using public school resources, teachers, support
staff, parents and students. They would have to be
inclusive and follow state and federal equity regulations.
They would be outcome-based programs, with local authority
to operate differently and expend resources differently.
Such schools are under consideration or operating in other
states. He said fears over the concept are groundless, and
the concept is an opportunity for new ideas and for parents
teachers to come together.
REP. TOOHEY asked if there is fear that charter schools will
embrace religious teaching, and asked whether the school
board has guidelines.
Number 505
COMMISSIONER COVEY said the same state guidelines concerning
teaching religion in regular public schools would also apply
to charter schools.
REP. NICHOLIA asked how regular local schools would be
affected by charter schools.
COMMISSIONER COVEY replied that charter schools, as public
schools, would be funded through the same foundation formula
that funds other schools. It would be no loss to the other
district, as the charter schools would represent a sharing
of both resources and students with regular schools. The
district would receive and spend state money to educate
students whether in a charter school or other school, he
said. He added, though, that charter schools could work
with Native corporations or nonprofit organizations which
might provide additional resources, which is an opportunity
already available to existing schools.
Number 536
CHAIR BUNDE asked whether the charter schools, tenure review
committee and school advisory boards would require a fiscal
note.
COMMISSIONER COVEY answered that charter schools and the
tenure review committee would not require fiscal notes,
though the cost of school advisory boards would vary widely,
depending on how each local district chose to create them.
Number 550
REP. VEZEY asked whether a law passed by a previous
legislature made it impossible to fire teachers hired since
1991 or 1992 (he was not sure) if they had two or three
years on the job, or whether such teachers could be hired if
a district could not afford to pay them.
COMMISSIONER COVEY invited another department official to
answer the question.
Number 600
DUANE GUILEY, DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF EDUCATION FINANCE
AND SUPPORT SERVICES, responded by saying tenured teachers
in Alaska can be released when there are too few students,
but not when there is too little money. They can also be
fired for cause. Under current law, in applicable cases, a
teacher automatically wins tenure on the first day of the
third school year.
MICHAEL MURPHY, OF THE NOME SCHOOL BOARD, testified from
Nome, saying that mandating school advisory boards for
districts in which schools were closely placed would be
redundant and slow school processes.
COMMISSIONER COVEY responded that the proposal would allow
him to exempt such districts to avoid duplication.
MR. MURPHY said giving tenure to teachers after two years on
the job was too soon. He stated it takes more time to prove
worth. He opposed the current tenure law.
CHAIR BUNDE voiced agreement that two years was not enough
time to offer tenure, though tenure is worthwhile.
Number 600
MIKE LITMAN, MEMBER OF THE SITKA SCHOOL BOARD, testified
from Sitka, praising HB 84 as a comprehensive examination of
the state school system, and urged the committee to support
the bill.
TAPE 93-16, SIDE B
Number 000
LARRY WIGET, LEGISLATIVE LIAISON FOR THE ANCHORAGE SCHOOL
DISTRICT (ASD), testified from Anchorage on HB 84. He said
the ASD supports giving districts the option of a 200-day
school year, contingent on an increase in the foundation
formula. At the daily $1 million operating costs for the
district, another 20 days would mean $20 million more. The
ASD prefers school advisory boards be called school site
councils, to be "developed as schools voluntarily
participate in shared decision making site-based
management." He said parent-teacher associations should
serve as school site councils.
MR. WIGET asked why school boards, as teacher employers,
could not serve as a local tenure review committee. He
expressed fears that dealing with up to 200 tenure requests
might become too complex with too little benefit. He said
the district already works to ensure high standards before
granting tenure. Mr. Wiget said the ASD already offers
alternative school programs and believes charter schools
carry the concept further and raises questions. He said the
decision on allowing charter schools should be a local
decision, and there is no requirement that a charter school
board have bylaws. He asked if teachers would be contract
or district employees. He asked how charter schools would
be dealt with in capital budgets.
MR. WIGET said the ASD does not oppose HB 84, but does have
questions about its provisions, and asked the chance to help
flesh out the plans.
Number 105
COMMISSIONER COVEY said he wanted to work with the ASD and
other districts. He also addressed some of the points Mr.
Wiget raised. Commissioner Covey said the State Board of
Education could not grant charter waivers of local school
district regulations. School boards would be parties to
contracts between charter schools and the state board, and
so would not lose control. Charter school teachers would be
regular district teachers. Charter schools would be
included in a district's regular capital funding plan.
Number 140
REVA SHIRCEL, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION FOR THE TANANA CHIEFS
CONFERENCE, testified from Fairbanks on HB 84. She asked if
there were any other bills dealing specifically with social
and educational conditions in Alaska Native villages, and if
not, why not. She expressed concern over the integration of
a longer school year with subsistence activities, over the
lack of provisions in the advisory school board proposal to
allow complete control of village schools by Natives, over
the brief two-year employment period prior to tenure, over
the integration of charter schools with public school
facilities, and funding of both. She said creation of more
school bureaucracy was an effort to deny the inadequacy of
public schools in villages and an effort to give
responsibility for village schools to the villages, instead
of keeping it with the state, where it belongs.
Number 180
CHAIR BUNDE invited Ms. Shircel to submit her questions in
writing so Commissioner Covey could provide more detailed
answers.
COMMISSIONER COVEY offered a correction of an earlier
statement regarding fiscal notes. He said it would cost
$6,000 to develop regulations for charter schools, advisory
school councils, and the fund for school improvement.
Number 235
CARL ROSE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OF THE ASSOCIATION OF ALASKA
SCHOOL BOARDS, said Alaska 2000 helps address the dire need
for more focus on education in the state. He said Alaska
2000 is a good start, but falls short of providing world
class education. He referred to written recommendations on
the bill, which are on file in the committee room, which
contain seven components in which further improvement should
be achieved to meet the Alaska 2000 project's goals. Those
areas are: overall school environment, highest caliber
professional staff, educational programs, school governance,
funding, collaboration, and accountability. In addition, he
noted two other components that cannot be addressed by
legislation: parental responsibility, and the student's
responsibility to work at learning.
MR. ROSE referred to recommendations concerning several
major areas of HB 84. Regarding increasing the school term,
he said it is a good proposal for some settings, but the
legislature should consider increasing funding of the
foundation formula and lowering pupil-teacher ratios.
On flexibility in funding school improvement grants, MR.
ROSE said the association would want half of the grant money
made available to teachers.
On advisory school boards, MR. ROSE stated that while their
aim is laudable, they may dim the enthusiasm of existing
parent-teacher associations, and their identification as
"boards" may raise confusion with the regular school boards.
He said the association prefers "parent advisory
committees."
On tenure review committees, MR. ROSE noted that the
association is concerned that review documents would be made
public. He proposed issuing new teachers provisional
teaching certificates good for two years, providing them
with continuing education and mentoring, testing them at two
years, then holding tenure review proceedings two years
later.
On charter schools, MR. ROSE said they are a good way to
include alternative educational ideas that involve teachers
and parents, though local determination is critical.
MR. ROSE added that the association wanted to suggest four
other components to the Alaska 2000 proposals, which are to
designate a special certification for master teachers; to
require instruction and equipment to teach the use of
technology; to promote greater collaboration between schools
and social and medical agencies; and to require
accountability for all new reforms.
Number 404
CHAIR BUNDE asked Mr. Rose's opinions of how school advisory
boards would interact with school boards, and said he
foresaw the potential of an adversarial relationship based
on conflict over authority.
Number 410
MR. ROSE commented that he did not see the need for advisory
boards in urban areas, though such boards are valuable in
Rural Education Attendance Areas (REAAs).
Number 425
REP. VEZEY asked Mr. Rose the school board association's
opinion of school vouchers.
MR. ROSE responded that the association opposes vouchers
because they would divert scarce money from the public
school system.
Number 434
SUZANNE CYR, A TEACHER IN THE MAT-SU SCHOOL DISTRICT,
testified from the Mat-Su, questioning HB 84. She said a
200-day school year would hurt the subsistence lifestyle in
rural villages. She asked how the state would ensure
attendance in a longer school year, asked who monitored and
funded advisory school boards, and whether they had legal
powers.
Number 459
CHAIR BUNDE asked Ms. Cyr whether rural students would be
better prepared for college by taking time from schooling
for subsistence activities. He also asked whether holding
school on weekends would pose problems in subsistence
lifestyles.
MS. CYR said students now learn subsistence skills during
the school year only on the weekends.
Number 475
ROSE SMITH, A CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE OF THE MAT-SU SCHOOL
DISTRICT, testifying from Mat-Su, asked whether the plan
would help relieve class overcrowding that saw 32 students
in some classes. She questioned whether a longer school
year would address that problem.
(Rep. Brice departed at 4:22 p.m.)
Number 480
ROBERT THOMPSON, A TEACHER IN THE MAT-SU SCHOOL DISTRICT,
testified from Mat-Su in opposition to HB 84. He expressed
concerns about public willingness to fund a longer school
year. He said the bill seems to represent an
inappropriately bureaucratic effort to encourage parental
involvement. He said the bill could cost the state an extra
$100 million a year, which could be better spent for smaller
classrooms, newer textbooks, newer facilities and
maintenance.
(Rep. Brice returned at 4:25 p.m.)
Number 513
BILL MONROE testified from Mat-Su on HB 84. He said it
would be difficult to win public support for an extended
school year, and suggested instead passing a state law
requiring 90 percent attendance as a condition of
graduation. He said more emphasis on math and sciences
would help Alaska schools improve to match those in other
nations.
Number 525
MR. MONROE said charter schools would disrupt state and
local funding ratios, and would fractionalize community
support for public schools. He said good managers should be
able to make decisions on tenure in a few months, and that
untrained people cannot decide on tenure. He also said the
bill needed to be broken down further to facilitate closer
and more deliberate attention.
CHAIR BUNDE stated HB 84 was not on a fast track and he
would be happy if the bill could be moved out this session.
Number 549
CLAUDIA DOUGLAS, PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL EDUCATION
ASSOCIATION (NEA)-ALASKA, testified in Juneau, asking
questions on HB 84. She said the NEA feels the bill falls
short of its stated purpose, though she was glad an effort
is being made to reform education.
(Rep. Brice departed at 4:30 p.m.)
(Rep. Olberg departed at 4:32 p.m.)
Number 565
MS. DOUGLAS discussed the history of the Alaska 2000
process, which began 18 months ago with the State Board of
Education's approval for the idea, followed by
recommendations from 20 people from around the state,
including four school board members, one teacher and two
superintendents. A year ago the governor appointed 10
committees involving 100 people, five of them teachers, and
12 superintendents.
Number 576
REP. TOOHEY asked whether superintendents hold teaching
certificates.
MS. DOUGLAS answered no, and resumed her testimony. She
said the committees' final report of 100 recommendations
resulted in public hearings on 49 recommendations. A public
newspaper survey drew 700 responses, followed by a two-day
Alaska 2000 summit in September 1992. She said the ideas
repeated in public opinion gathered during this process was
not reflected in HB 84, with an exception of the school
improvement fund. She said the recommendations are narrow
and do not come from teachers or the public.
Number 587
MS. DOUGLAS expressed concern about funding a longer school
year, saying the costs could add $6 million to the school
budget by the year 2000, not including inflation-proofing.
She said the NEA estimated the extended school year could
cost $75 million to $100 million. She complained that there
was no fiscal note or appropriations requests accompanying
the bill. She stated no state laws regulate attendance or
truancy and questioned the average attendance figures
Commissioner Covey cited. She suggested new attendance laws
should come before an extended school year.
TAPE 93-17, SIDE A
Number 000
(Rep. Brice returned at 4:37 p.m.)
MS. DOUGLAS said the demands for paperwork and
administrative duties do not leave enough time to teach.
She said NEA-Alaska would like to see districts given
incentives for increasing school years and more
opportunities for advanced classes. She said NEA-Alaska
supports the fund for school improvement, as long as
districts know where the grants go. She expressed concerns
about advisory school boards, asking how members would be
chosen and how they would affect PTA operations. She
mentioned current tensions between REAA advisory boards and
district school boards, and asked if such problems might
arise in other districts.
Number 077
CHAIR BUNDE noted that the teleconference would be concluded
by 5:00 p.m.
MS. DOUGLAS discussed tenure review boards as a significant
change in teacher evaluation law, but one based on
misconceptions about tenure. She noted the NEA supports
professional practices, and said current teacher evaluations
are often done without care or resources. She supports
strict evaluation guidelines, but opposes giving
nonprofessionals more power in making tenure decisions. She
questioned the proposed makeup of tenure review committees,
whether tenure would be a popularity contest, whether
principals' input would be considered in such decisions, and
whether it would not open the door to parental reprisals
against teachers.
CHAIR BUNDE said the committee would welcome Ms. Douglas
back to the committee to testify on Alaska 2000. He agreed
that public school tenure review is a joke, but university
level peer review at the university level is a much better
procedure. He asked for a copy of her written testimony.
He anticipated receiving lots of comments from the general
public and from constituencies, then holding a work session,
during which the committee would consider amending the bill.
Number 248
SHARON NORTON, PRESIDENT OF THE KETCHIKAN EDUCATION
ASSOCIATION, testified from Ketchikan against HB 84. She
said the bill is a large mixed bag, and agreed it should be
broken into smaller components. She spoke in favor of funds
for school performance research grants, but had misgivings
on most of the rest of the bill, which she said she would
detail in a letter to the committee.
Number 255
PATSY AAMODT, SUPERINTENDENT OF THE NORTH SLOPE BOROUGH
SCHOOL DISTRICT, testified from Barrow. She asked
Commissioner Covey what states do not have teacher tenure
laws and how their students perform. She read resolution
93-02 from the borough school board calling for revocation
of certain state laws concerning teacher tenure (Alaska
statutes 14.20.150 a) and b).
CHAIR BUNDE promised that Commissioner Covey would respond
to her questions.
Number 265
ANDY ZAJAC, PRESIDENT OF THE COPPER VALLEY TEACHERS
ASSOCIATION, testified from Glennallen against HB 84. He
said he opposed charter schools as competing with public
schools and possible methods of circumventing employment
contracts. He added that charter schools would take up
limited public school capital and financial resources.
(Rep. Bunde departed at 4:51 p.m.)
MR. ZAJAC opposed longer school years as too costly, and
stated that money could be better spent on early childhood
education. He opposed tenure review committees as
unqualified to judge teacher fitness for tenure, as another
layer of bureaucracy, and as a vehicle for political
interference in education. He opposed advisory school
boards as an extra layer of bureaucracy that would delay
decisions.
(Rep. Bunde returned at 4:53 p.m.)
MR. ZAJAC said the proposed cost of HB 84 could be better
spent to lower class size, give administrators more
disciplinary authority, give teachers more time on task, and
provide more early childhood education.
CHAIR BUNDE announced that, as there was not enough time to
hear HB 85, the bill would be held over until Tuesday,
February 23, 1993, when the committee meeting would again be
on teleconference.
Number 317
PAM DARNALL testified from Fairbanks. She stated she
opposes SB 61 ("An Act implementing certain recommendations
of Alaska 2000 to improve the state's education system; and
providing for an effective date.") She said the tenure
review committee would make tenure a popularity contest, or
a contest between teachers for limited tenure positions.
She stated she was opposed to allowing nonprofessionals to
grant or deny tenure, and said it would discourage teachers
from working in Alaska.
Number 330
CAROL EVANS, A TEACHER, testified from Fairbanks in
opposition to HB 84. She expressed pleasure with Alaska
2000 as a reflection of increased concern for education, but
expressed vehement opposition to all of the provisions it
contained. She asked the legislature to put every possible
dollar to public education to provide every student with the
means to provide for a productive future.
(Rep. Toohey departed at 5:00 p.m.)
REP. BRICE greeted Ms. Evans.
CHAIR BUNDE asked Ms. Evans for a written copy of her
testimony. He thanked all those who testified, and
ADJOURNED the meeting at 5:03 p.m.
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