03/11/2008 03:00 PM House HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SJR11 | |
| SB241 | |
| SB119 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SJR 11 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 119 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 241 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
March 11, 2008
3:07 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Peggy Wilson, Chair
Representative Bob Roses, Vice Chair
Representative Anna Fairclough
Representative Wes Keller
Representative Paul Seaton
Representative Sharon Cissna
Representative Berta Gardner
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 11
Supporting federal funding for veterans' health care and urging
the United States Congress to ensure adequate funding for
veterans' health care.
- MOVED SJR 11 OUT OF COMMITTEE
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 241(SED)
"An Act relating to a report to the legislature on teacher
preparation, retention, and recruitment by the Board of Regents
of the University of Alaska; and providing for an effective
date."
- HEARD AND HELD
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 119(RLS)
"An Act relating to grant programs to support libraries."
- HEARD AND HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SJR 11
SHORT TITLE: SUPPORTING U.S. VETERANS' HEALTH CARE
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) WIELECHOWSKI
05/09/07 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
05/09/07 (S) HES
02/04/08 (S) HES AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
02/04/08 (S) Moved SJR 11 Out of Committee
02/04/08 (S) MINUTE(HES)
02/06/08 (S) HES RPT 3DP
02/06/08 (S) DP: DAVIS, THOMAS, DYSON
02/11/08 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
02/11/08 (S) VERSION: SJR 11
02/13/08 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/13/08 (H) MLV, HES
02/26/08 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
02/26/08 (H) Moved Out of Committee
02/26/08 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
02/29/08 (H) MLV RPT 6DP
02/29/08 (H) DP: KAWASAKI, LEDOUX, FAIRCLOUGH,
DAHLSTROM, BUCH, ROSES
03/11/08 (H) HES AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
BILL: SB 241
SHORT TITLE: UNIV. REPORT: TEACHER TRAINING/RETENTION
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) STEVENS BY REQUEST OF JT LEG EDUCATION
FUNDING TASK FORCE
01/18/08 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/18/08 (S) SED, HES
02/01/08 (S) SED AT 8:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
02/01/08 (S) Heard & Held
02/01/08 (S) MINUTE(SED)
02/06/08 (S) SED RPT CS 3DP 2NR NEW TITLE
02/06/08 (S) DP: STEVENS, WILKEN, DAVIS
02/06/08 (S) NR: OLSON, HUGGINS
02/06/08 (S) SED AT 8:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
02/06/08 (S) Moved CSSB 241(SED) Out of Committee
02/06/08 (S) MINUTE(SED)
02/13/08 (S) HES AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
02/13/08 (S) Moved CSSB 241(SED) Out of Committee
02/13/08 (S) MINUTE(HES)
02/15/08 (S) HES RPT CS(SED) 2DP 2NR
02/15/08 (S) DP: DAVIS, THOMAS
02/15/08 (S) NR: ELTON, DYSON
02/29/08 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
02/29/08 (S) VERSION: CSSB 241(SED)
03/03/08 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/03/08 (H) HES, FIN
03/11/08 (H) HES AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
BILL: SB 119
SHORT TITLE: SCHOOL LIBRARY GRANTS
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) OLSON
03/14/07 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/14/07 (S) HES, FIN
04/25/07 (S) HES AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
04/25/07 (S) Moved SB 119 Out of Committee
04/25/07 (S) MINUTE(HES)
04/27/07 (S) HES RPT 4DP
04/27/07 (S) DP: DAVIS, ELTON, THOMAS, COWDERY
01/30/08 (S) FIN AT 9:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532
01/30/08 (S) Heard & Held
01/30/08 (S) MINUTE(FIN)
02/08/08 (S) FIN AT 9:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532
02/08/08 (S) Moved CSSB 119(FIN) Out of Committee
02/08/08 (S) MINUTE(FIN)
02/11/08 (S) FIN RPT CS 6DP NEW TITLE
02/11/08 (S) DP: HOFFMAN, STEDMAN, ELTON, THOMAS,
DYSON, OLSON
02/18/08 (S) RLS AT 11:00 AM BELTZ 211
02/18/08 (S) Moved CSSB 119(RLS) Out of Committee
02/18/08 (S) MINUTE(RLS)
02/19/08 (S) RLS RPT CS 2DP 2AM NEW TITLE
02/19/08 (S) DP: STEVENS, ELLIS
02/19/08 (S) AM: THERRIAULT, GREEN
03/03/08 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
03/03/08 (S) VERSION: CSSB 119(RLS)
03/04/08 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/04/08 (H) HES, FIN
03/11/08 (H) HES AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
WITNESS REGISTER
SENATOR BILL WIELECHOWSKI
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced SJR 11, as the sponsor.
RUSSELL KELL, Member
Vietnam Veterans of America
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SJR 11.
TIM WHEELER, Secretary
Alaska Veterans Business Alliance
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SJR 11.
KEVIN MCGEE, Member
American Federation of Government Employees Local 3028
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SJR 11.
JOHN YOUMANS, Member
Alaska Veteran's Business Alliance
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SJR 11.
SENATOR GARY STEVENS
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced SB 241, as the sponsor.
TIM LAMKIN, Staff
to Senator Gary Stevens
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on SB
241.
CYNTHIA HENRY, Vice Chair
Board of Regents
University of Alaska
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the hearing on SB 241.
JOHN PUGH, Chancellor
University of Alaska Southeast
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on SB
241.
GINNY AUSTERMAN, Staff
to Senator Donald Olson
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced SB 119, on behalf of Senator
Olson, sponsor.
DARWIN PETERSON, Staff
to Senator Bert Stedman
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on SB
119.
CHARLOTTE GLOVER, Youth Services Librarian
Ketchikan Public Library
Ketchikan, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 119.
ROSLYN GOODMEN, School Librarian; Library Consultant
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Speaking as an individual, testified in
support of SB 119.
DEBBY EDWARDSON, Writer
Barrow, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 119.
PATRICIA LINVILLE, Librarian
Seward Community Library
Seward, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 119.
SUE PAULSEN
Petersburg, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Speaking as an individual, testified in
support of SB 119.
SHARON JUNGE, Physician
Petersburg, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Speaking as an individual, testified in
support of SB 119.
PEARL BROWER, Special Assistant for External Affairs
Ilisagvik College
Barrow, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 119.
DAVID ONGLEY, Representative
Tuzzy Library
Barrow, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 119.
JUDITH MCQUERRY, Representative
Ketchikan Public Library
Ketchikan, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 119.
CAITLIN DIXON, School Librarian
Shoenbar Middle School
Ketchikan, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 119.
KARI SAGEL, Teacher
Blatchley Middle School; Librarian
Alaska Association of School Libraries
Sitka, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 119.
BARB BRYSON, School Librarian; Board Member
Alaska Association of Libraries
Valdez, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 119.
CATHY BOUTIN, School Librarian; Member
Governor's Advisory Council on Libraries
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Speaking as an individual, testified in
support of SB 119.
ACTION NARRATIVE
CHAIR PEGGY WILSON called the House Health, Education and Social
Services Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:07:32 PM.
Representatives Fairclough, Gardner, Keller, Seaton, Cissna, and
Wilson were present at the call to order. Representative Roses
arrived as the meeting was in progress.
SJR 11-SUPPORTING U.S. VETERANS' HEALTH CARE
3:08:31 PM
CHAIR WILSON announced that the first order of business would be
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 11, Supporting federal funding for
veterans' health care and urging the United States Congress to
ensure adequate funding for veterans' health care.
3:08:53 PM
SENATOR BILL WIELECHOWSKI, Alaska State Legislature, introduced
SJR 11, as the sponsor. Senator Wielechowski informed the
committee that SJR 11 urges the U. S. Congress to ensure
adequate funding for veteran's health care. He noted that at
least twenty states have passed similar resolutions, and that
SJR 11 passed the Alaska State Senate unanimously. The
Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) provides medical care for
veterans who have risked their lives to protect the nation.
Veteran's medical care includes treatment for spinal cord
injury, blindness, traumatic brain injury, post traumatic stress
disorder, and other injuries. In addition, the VA provides
training for health care personnel, conducts research, and forms
an additional line of defense during times of crisis. The
Governmental Accountability Office (GAO) reports the agency has
been underfunded and lags behind inflation and the increased
demand for services. In fact, veteran's enrollment for health
care increased by 134 percent between FY 1996 and FY 2004, yet
funding only increased by 34 percent, adjusted for 1996 dollars.
The resolution professes the gratitude of the state for the
sacrifices made by veterans who are suffering from medical and
mental problems resulting from injuries sustained during their
service. Most importantly, it urges Congress to ensure adequate
funding for veteran's health care.
3:10:45 PM
CHAIR WILSON opined that SJR 11 is very important to the state
due to the number of veterans living in Alaska.
3:10:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA asked the sponsor for the percentage of
veterans living in Alaska, compared to other states.
3:11:22 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI stated that Alaska has the highest
percentage of veterans of any state. The resolution has the
unanimous support of the veteran's organizations in the state
and he said that the sponsors would not object to the addition
of this statistic to the language of the bill.
3:12:00 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA further asked whether Alaska is home for
many veterans returning with serious injuries from the present
conflict.
3:12:37 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI indicated yes. He pointed out that some of
the veteran's injuries are listed on page 1, line 14, of the
bill.
3:13:16 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA anticipated support for the resolution
when it reaches the floor.
3:13:30 PM
RUSSELL KELL, Member, Vietnam Veterans of America, stated that
adequate funding will assure that veterans are healthy enough to
pursue the educational programs available to them. The result
of the past inadequate funding by Congress is denied and delayed
medical treatment for entitled veterans, thus veterans have been
unable to pursue education and productive employment. Also,
without treatment, medical symptoms increase later in life.
Assured funding is a benefit to all Alaskans as veterans'
medical care will be paid by Medicaid if not paid by the VA.
Mr. Kell confirmed that Alaska has the highest population of
veterans per capita; in fact, this population is expected to
increase.
3:15:49 PM
TIM WHEELER, Secretary, Alaska Veterans Business Alliance, urged
the committee to advocate for adequate funding for all veterans,
especially the many wounded veterans returning from Iraq and
Afghanistan. He requested the immediate passage of SJR 11.
3:16:24 PM
KEVIN MCGEE, Member, American Federation of Government Employees
Local 3028, informed the committee that politics continue to
inhibit funding at the VA. The American Federation of
Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3028 renewed its call for
assured funding of the VA health care system for the veteran's
health administration, and to hire new claims processors for the
benefits office. In addition, Local 3028 supports: increased
oversight to assure that funds are spent on veteran's needs;
improved Vietnam Veterans of America employee training; restored
bargaining rights for VA health care professionals; and the
passage of SJR 11. Mr. McGee opined that there is a morale
obligation to insist that all veterans are provided the best
medical care possible, without worry about the funding. He
concluded that AFGE Local 3028 would seek federal and state
action to assure mandatory funding, a stronger health care work
force through the restoration of bargaining rights, a reduction
in the claims backlog, greater oversight, and expanded veteran's
employment opportunities.
3:19:18 PM
JOHN YOUMANS, Member, Alaska Veteran's Business Alliance,
stated his agreement with the previous testimony and added that
his experience in the last 24 years supports the need for this
bill to pass.
3:19:50 PM
CHAIR WILSON closed public testimony.
3:20:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER asked for further information about the
Priority 8 veterans who were temporarily barred from entering
the health care system five years ago. She understood that all
veterans are promised health care.
3:21:03 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI explained that veterans have said that
promises of health care were made at the time of their
enlistment; however, for many the promise has been broken. In
fact, the government has recently increased the amount of co-pay
for medical services. He pointed out that SJR 11 expresses
appreciation for the sacrifice of veterans and asks for adequate
funding for veteran's health care.
3:22:11 PM
MR. MCGEE further explained that [Priority 8] veterans have
incomes of $30,000.
3:22:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER opined that the promise for health care
was without limitations.
3:23:11 PM
CHAIR WILSON stressed the obligation of the government to
support veterans.
3:23:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH moved to report SJR 11 out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes. There being no objection, SJR 11 was reported out
of House Health, Education and Social Services Standing
Committee.
SB 241-UNIV. REPORT: TEACHER TRAINING/RETENTION
3:23:54 PM
CHAIR WILSON announced that the next order of business would be
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 241(SED), "An Act relating to a report to
the legislature on teacher preparation, retention, and
recruitment by the Board of Regents of the University of Alaska;
and providing for an effective date."
3:24:51 PM
SENATOR GARY STEVENS, Alaska State Legislature, informed the
committee that SB 241 was a result of the legislative education
task force and requires a report from the University of Alaska
(UA) specific to the tracking, training, and retaining of
qualified public school teachers. He noted that the legislature
does not often have a dialog with the UA Board of Regents;
however, the bill proposes that, on the thirtieth day of the
legislative session, the Board of Regents issue an annual report
to the legislative educational committees. This annual report
becomes a biannual report after 2013. The bill sends a message
that the legislature wants to know what the UA is doing about
the teacher shortage in the state. Senator Stevens acknowledged
that, although the UA makes a great deal of information
available, it is valuable that it be reported to the
legislature.
3:26:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER asked for an explanation of what the UA
can do to "retain" teachers.
3:27:41 PM
SENATOR STEVENS explained that the UA's responsibility would be
to report on the rates of retention for each school district and
the school districts' plans for improvement.
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER surmised that the sponsor would approve
clarification of that responsibility by the committee.
3:28:21 PM
TIM LAMKIN, Staff to Senator Gary Stevens, Alaska State
Legislature, speaking on behalf of the sponsor, Senator Stevens,
stated that one retention tool in use by the UA is the statewide
mentoring project that is a direct partnership between the UA
and the Department of Early Development & Education (DEED).
3:28:56 PM
CHAIR WILSON observed that the UA can play a big role in
retention by the proper preparation of students to handle
situations in rural areas. Students need information pertinent
to remote and rural placement.
3:30:29 PM
MR. LAMKIN pointed out that some teachers prefer rural
placement.
3:30:41 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA asked about the depth of the report; in
fact, retention can be related to the amount of funding provided
by the legislature. She asked whether the report would include
studies on the issues of funding incentives and benefits to
teachers.
3:31:40 PM
MR. LAMKIN affirmed that the intent of the task force was not to
limit the parameters of the report. Representative Cissna's
inquiry falls in the realm of the report.
3:32:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH expressed her concern that the report
will be used to financially leverage an appropriation, rather
than the discussion of actions taken to address the rates of
retention.
3:32:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROSES referred to the July 1, 2012, effective
date on page 2, line 26, of the bill. He asked whether this was
a conflict with Section 1, that sets an effective date of ninety
days from enactment.
3:33:14 PM
MR. LAMKIN explained that the report would be presented annually
for the first five years, and biannually after July 1, 2012.
3:34:40 PM
CYNTHIA HENRY, Vice Chair, Board of Regents, University of
Alaska, informed the committee that it was the position of the
Board of Regents to comply with any request from the
legislature. She stated that teacher education is a high
priority for the UA, and expressed her hope that working
together with the legislature can help to fill the teacher
vacancies across Alaska.
3:35:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON surmised that the annual report would be
delivered in person to the legislative committees.
3:36:26 PM
MS. HENRY agreed. She noted that the Board of Regents holds a
February meeting in Juneau that could coincide with its
presentation of the report.
3:37:03 PM
MR. LAMKIN affirmed that the presentation is set to accommodate
the existing Board of Regents meeting schedule.
3:37:30 PM
CHAIR WILSON asked for more information on what the UA could do
to address the teacher shortage in the state.
3:38:17 PM
JOHN PUGH, Chancellor, University of Alaska Southeast, explained
that individual school districts have the primary responsibility
to retain teachers; however, the UA mentor project, established
in partnership with the DEED four years ago, is making a
difference by supporting first year and second year teachers
throughout the state. The mentors are master teachers who work
with beginning teachers to help them through the critical period
of the first five years of teaching. Also, the UA can provide
professional development activities to school districts that
ensure that new teachers are continuing professional development
during their apprenticeship. Finally, the UA can encourage
placement in rural Alaska by offering rural assignments during
internships. Intern placements in rural Alaska have resulted in
permanent placements.
3:41:00 PM
CHAIR WILSON asked whether the mentors make suggestions for
improvements to the program.
3:41:28 PM
CHANCELLOR PUGH indicated that mentors have provided feedback on
curriculum. Furthermore, the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
course requires placement in a classroom for an entire year,
thus there is feedback from teachers on each student's teaching
abilities. In addition, the UA uses teachers as adjutant
faculty teachers at the university level; this assures that
professors have the opportunity for time back in a classroom.
3:42:48 PM
CHAIR WILSON asked whether the state requires teachers to visit
classrooms.
3:43:02 PM
CHANCELLOR PUGH said that the state does not have that
requirement. The UA at Southeast (UAS) requires that all
teachers who become faculty are certified.
3:43:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROSES asked how many students are enrolled in the
MAT program.
3:43:36 PM
CHANCELLOR PUGH answered that, at the UAS, there are 100
students in the undergraduate program, including some part-time
and distance education students. In most years, there are about
50 students in the year-long MAT program.
3:44:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROSES asked whether the year-long internship,
with a portion of time in rural Alaska, is available to MAT
students only.
3:44:50 PM
CHANCELLOR PUGH indicated that UAS does not require a full year
internship in the four year program. The undergraduate program
includes junior and senior year course requirements and a one
semester internship.
3:45:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked for clarification of the requirement
that the report include "an outline of the university's past,
current, and future plans." He asked for an interpretation of
the meaning of "past."
3:45:58 PM
CHANCELLOR PUGH said that he was unclear on that point. He
opined that the material covering all of the UA's past would be
burdensome.
3:46:31 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked for the sponsor to comment.
3:46:37 PM
MR. LAMKIN suggested that data on the past known teacher
shortage is fairly recent. He also noted that the past history
would be reported once just to reconcile the data.
3:47:16 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROSES mentioned that there has been a teacher
placement service in the state for many years and data is
available. He opined that data older than five years would not
be helpful.
3:48:07 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON affirmed that the intent of the task force
was not to go back, but rather to report on the current
situation and the future plans for implementing the training,
attraction, and retention of teachers.
3:49:09 PM
CHAIR WILSON suggested the deletion of "past."
3:49:20 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON indicated that the deletion of "past" will
be considered.
3:49:37 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER asked whether there are active efforts to
recruit students from local communities to get teaching
credentials.
3:50:34 PM
CHANCELLOR PUGH described the "future teachers program" in place
in rural communities throughout the state. Through support by a
grant, there is recruiting at high schools and Native teachers
and students are bought in. Each high school has teachers that
work with identified students as mentors to prepare them for
course work in the field of education.
3:52:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER asked that the report include information
on the future teacher's program.
3:52:20 PM
CHANCELLOR PUGH agreed.
3:52:23 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROSES recalled efforts to encourage teacher's
aides in rural communities to become certified teachers. Some
of the obstacles were: travel to the university for the final
courses; the expense; time away from family; and university
course requirements. He noted the difficulty to overcome these
obstacles.
3:53:50 PM
CHANCELLOR PUGH reminded the committee that UAS offers a
bachelor degree in elementary education by distance from
anywhere in the state. Nevertheless, good teachers must have
content course work; in fact, the field of secondary education
now has a federal mandate that requires a degree or a major in a
given field to teach high school. Qualifying teachers for the
secondary level will continue to be a challenge.
3:55:24 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:55 to 3:57
3:57:43 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER expressed his concern that SB 241 is a
proposal for more than a report; in fact, the bill calls for
"short-term and five-year strategies with accompanying budgets."
He assumed that the UA must spend money to develop a new five-
year strategy; however, the zero fiscal note accompanying the
bill refers only to the preparation of reports.
3:57:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROSES explained that the education tax force
discussed this issue during one task force meeting. The simple
inquiry that inspired the bill was to determine how well the UA
was working to fill the education gap.
3:58:53 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON agreed and suggested that the issue should
also be looked at in the context of the creation of the standing
committee on education. The identified goal was that teacher
training, and the hiring and retention of teachers, was
affecting education in the state. This was a highly important
issue, not related to funding, that the task force wanted to
refer to the standing committee on education, and this report
was a way to provide the committee with updated information from
the UA.
4:00:19 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROSES confirmed that the main focus of the
education task force was on funding and it worked hard to
establish multi-year, forward funding of education so that the
substance of educational issues could be investigated.
4:01:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER presumed that the intent of the sponsor
was to include in the report the efforts of all schools to
attract, train, and retain qualified public school teachers; not
just efforts by the UA.
4:03:09 PM
MR. LAMKIN confirmed that the intent of the bill was to provide
a forum to allow the discussion of substantive educational
policy, not just the funding of educational programs. Secondly,
if the committee decides to remove the UA and to include the
DEED, there must be a title change to the bill. He opined that
the collaboration of other departments is implicit in the bill.
4:04:41 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROSES cautioned that there are many issues
involved in teacher retention, such as living and working
conditions, and removing the UA will take the report outside of
the intent of the bill.
4:05:18 PM
MR. LAMKIN spoke regarding the request for "strategies with
accompanying budgets." He suggested that the UA would need to
request a budget, along with its strategies, in order to be
fair.
4:06:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH expressed her concern that the bill
presents an expectation for growth within the UA system. If
funding becomes necessary, there must be measurable outcomes so
that the funding can be retracted. For the legislative history,
she said that she did not want to see the UA presenting budgets,
but rather information on what it is doing to attract, train,
and retain qualified public school teachers. Separately, the UA
may submit options with an attached fiscal report.
Representative Fairclough related that the UA budget has
increased 50 percent during the last four to five years;
however, the student population has not. In addition, it has
added at least 80 new programs. She warned that when students
enter a new UA program, the curriculum must be maintained for
years, even with a small number of enrollees.
4:08:33 PM
MR. LAMKIN offered to draft a letter of intent.
4:08:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH said that she is happy to support the
training and retaining of teachers in the state; however, there
must be accountability in a business plan. In order to invest
in education, the committee needs to understand the UA budget
implications.
4:09:48 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA observed that the Board of Regents have a
loose role in the bill by providing the university's past,
current, and future plans. She gave the student's perspective
and supported the requirement that the university issue a report
with "outcome measures" in terms of successes.
4:12:05 PM
CHANCELLOR PUGH agreed and said, "That is the whole point of our
performance based budgeting that we have been presenting to the
legislature." He gave the example that most of the UA budget
money has gone to health care programs; in fact, the nursing
program and health science programs have doubled or tripled
graduates. He opined that the first report would show all the
graduates in every area; however, some areas, such as
specialized special education, although required by federal
regulations, are difficult for a small state to fill.
Chancellor Pugh assured the committee that all of the data was
available as a part of the UA budget request procedures, and
would be provided, including the projection of student
enrollment for new programs.
4:14:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA strongly suggested that the proposed
legislation should model its purpose and that the language of
the bill could be improved by amendments.
4:14:58 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER asked for more information on the UA's
involvement with the mentoring program.
4:15:23 PM
CHANCELLOR PUGH informed the committee that the mentoring
program began at the request of the former commissioner of
education. Funding, from federal and state sources, enables the
UA to hire master teacher mentors, to adopt criterion standards
for mentors, and to administer the program. The master teachers
are not faculty, in fact, they come from K-12 school districts
throughout the state. A UA faculty member is researching the
effectiveness of the program so its impact on the retention of
teachers will be known.
4:16:58 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROSES added that the program was initially begun
by former Commissioner Shirley Holloway with grant funds to the
Teacher Enhancement Board. The intent was to establish and
model best practices for teachers. The program began in
Anchorage and after two years of development became the
statewide mentoring program. Due to budget restraints,
mentoring is only available to first and second year teachers.
Representative Roses explained that the program is now supported
by state funds.
4:19:28 PM
CHAIR WILSON asked how many teachers are mentored and how long
the program has been in effect.
4:19:42 PM
CHANCELLOR PUGH said that the program has been statewide for
three years. Approximately seventy percent of teachers are
mentored and the result is a higher retention rate for mentored
teachers.
4:20:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROSES stated that the ultimate goal is to mentor
every first year teacher, principal, and superintendent. At
this time, poor evaluations identify the teachers that will get
a mentor and he opined that early intervention is the most
effective.
4:22:07 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA recalled that there was a grant in the
1990's.
4:23:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROSES clarified that the grant was funded in 2000
and was specifically designed to determine what best teaching
practices were and how to train teachers to use best practices
to meet the goals and standards of the state. The UA then had
to realign its curriculum to train teachers appropriately.
4:24:53 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA stated that part of the importance of the
bill is that it would continue the work underway.
4:25:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER remarked:
I'm really struggling with the concept, ... I'm all
for the report ... and I'm all for the idea of keeping
the program going. But the section of law this is in
is not programs, and this is more than a report. When
you ask for plans, strategies, and budget, that fits
into the program portion of the University of Alaska,
and that's fair, and then we're talking, fiscal impact
and everything else. ... It just seems like we're
doing more, .190, the first part here that is being
added to, part (b), is nothing more than a report on
what the university is doing with its money and its
facilities. There's nothing in there that says that
we want a plan here, and we want what you are going to
do, and we want a budget, it's not proactive. ...
We're doing more than just a report. ... As I
understand it, we're leaving [AS] 14.40.190 in there
and that becomes (a) and this is a new (b). What I am
questioning is whether it's a proper drafting practice
here, to put something in here that is more than a
report.
4:27:52 PM
MR. LAMKIN stated that the decision was made by the drafter of
the bill. He spoke on behalf of Senator Stevens and suggested
an amendment that would strike "accompanying budgets" and, or,
"past plans." Mr. Lamkin then re-stated his opinion that there
is value in having a review of the past.
4:29:13 PM
CHAIR WILSON reminded Mr. Lamkin that the members of the
committee would change every two years. She than announced that
the bill would be held and asked Representative Keller to work
out his concerns with the sponsor.
4:29:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON indicated that he had an amendment.
4:29:39 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH asked to see a letter of intent from
the sponsor and proposed that the bill should have a fiscal note
attached, to provide for options and measurements, instead of
the integrated budget that can not be taken apart.
4:30:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROSES asked whether the sponsor would be
submitting a committee substitute or amendments.
4:30:52 PM
CHAIR WILSON asked the sponsor to work with committee members on
amendments.
[SB 241 was held over.]
SB 119-SCHOOL LIBRARY GRANTS
4:31:25 PM
CHAIR WILSON announced that the final order of business would be
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 119(RLS), "An Act relating to grant
programs to support libraries."
4:31:40 PM
GINNY AUSTERMAN, Staff to Senator Donald Olson, Alaska State
Legislature, introduced SB 119, on behalf of Senator Olson,
sponsor. She informed the committee that SB 119 establishes a
library construction grant program and a school library
collection development grant program. Both of these programs
are subject to appropriation. The library assistance grant
program allows for the state to match, up to 50 percent, the
cost of new library construction, or major expansion, in
communities with a population of 10,000 or less. Local
government would be responsible for securing a match of at least
20 percent, with the remainder provided by private donors. The
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
(DCCED) would administer the grants and promulgate regulations
to establish ranking criteria.
4:32:31 PM
MS. AUSTERMAN continued to explain that the public school
library collection development grant program establishes a
maximum grant of $3,000 for a fiscal year to a public school
library deemed eligible by the grants administrator. The grants
administrator will be the person or division in charge of the
state library. The funds are to be used for the expansion of
the library collection materials, meaning books, magazines,
reference and audio-visual materials, and electronic
subscriptions that support school curriculum and student reading
activities. Grant money may not be used to purchase classroom
materials, textbooks, testing software, library automation
software, computer hardware, operating software, or technology
support. Grant recipients shall prepare an annual report to the
DCCED to describe the effects of the grant and the distribution
of funds.
4:34:31 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON referred to page 1, line 12, of the bill,
that allows for a grant for library construction and major
expansion. He pointed out that the definition of "major
expansion" means an expansion of an existing library to increase
the square footage of the structure by not less than 30 percent.
Representative Seaton surmised that the grant money can only be
used for construction and major expansion.
4:35:39 PM
MS. AUSTERMAN clarified that Sec. 3 provides for public school
library collection development grants.
CHAIR WILSON passed the gavel to Vice Chair Roses.
4:36:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON observed that grant funds for community
libraries are only for the square footage expansion of the
building and funds for materials are only for school libraries.
4:36:37 PM
MS. AUSTERMAN indicated yes.
VICE CHAIR ROSES asked whether a school library could be
considered the public library in small communities.
4:37:21 PM
MS. AUSTERMAN said yes. In many small communities the school
libraries are the public libraries.
VICE CHAIR ROSES than asked whether, in that case, construction
costs for a school library would qualify for matching funds from
the state under the school construction label.
4:37:38 PM
DARWIN PETERSON, Staff for Senator Bert Stedman, Alaska State
Legislature, confirmed that school libraries qualify for
construction funds under other sections of the statute, if there
is no public library. The intent of Sections 1 and 2 of SB 119,
was to encourage small communities to attract outside private
funds to construct public libraries that are not part of the
school system.
4:38:53 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH pointed out a discrepancy between the
sponsor statement and the bill and stated her support for the
language in the bill, such that "available funding shall be
awarded to the highest ranked applicants."
4:39:40 PM
MS. AUSTERMAN acknowledged the correction.
4:39:49 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON referred to page 2, line 11, of the bill
and asked whether the definition of "publicly owned and
operated" would allow something other than a municipal
government to qualify.
4:40:34 PM
MR. PETERSON responded that any community, town, city,
municipality, the state, or any public entity could own and
operate the library if the other eligibility criteria were met.
4:40:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON then asked whether non-profits
automatically qualify as public ownership.
4:41:20 PM
MR. PETERSON said no.
4:41:23 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON surmised that, unless a community is an
incorporated municipality, it could not qualify, because there
is no public ownership. He asked whether the intention is that
community ownership is sufficient to qualify for a grant.
4:42:03 PM
MR. PETERSON indicated that the intent of the bill was to allow
any community to partner with the state or private entities to
construct a library. For example, Anchor Point could partner
with the state, and others, to construct or to expand its
existing library. Small communities would be eligible if they
can contribute 20 percent and operate the facility.
4:43:07 PM
VICE CHAIR ROSES returned the gavel to Chair Wilson.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON then asked how to establish public
ownership in a non incorporated community. This bill appears to
eliminate tribal ownership.
4:44:06 PM
MR. PETERSON indicated that he would request a legal opinion on
this question.
4:44:32 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON assumed that there can be 50 percent
matching funds from the state, and, for example, 30 percent more
from a private source. He then asked whether a taxing mechanism
was required to raise the 20 percent from the community or if
that amount can also be a contribution.
4:45:13 PM
MR. PETERSON stated that the intent was to tax the community to
generate its local contribution.
4:45:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON further asked where the taxing authority
would originate in a small, non incorporated community.
4:46:08 PM
MR. PETERSON explained that very small communities were not
considered since they can not afford to own or operate a
library.
4:47:04 PM
CHARLOTTE GLOVER, Youth Services Librarian, Ketchikan Public
Library, related her experience as a librarian and as a
coordinator of literacy activities. She stated that the
Ketchikan library is part of a consortium of seven schools and a
college and she knows how poorly funded the school libraries
are. Ms. Glover stated that the public library has money for
new books, but school libraries do not. She opined that school
children want books, in fact, circulation has grown for the last
17 years, in spite of the Internet age. School libraries borrow
600 books per year from the public library; the public library
can not meet the demand from teachers and school libraries.
She concluded that kids do not have books at home and the bill
would provide books for school libraries.
4:50:27 PM
ROSLYN GOODMEN, School Librarian; Library Consultant, related
her experience as a school librarian and as a library
consultant. Her research indicates that school libraries in
rural Alaska do not have the collections necessary to support
education standards and to meet the informational and pleasure
reading needs of students. Research in Alaska also supports a
correlation between reading success and the library selection of
books that students can, and want to, read. Ms. Goodman opined
that every school would benefit from new books and other
library resources. Most collections are outdated, do not meet
school district standards, are not infused with new books, and
lack current reference books. Furthermore, many collections
contain discards from other libraries. She urged the committee
to support SB 119.
4:53:23 PM
DEBBY EDWARDSON, Writer, informed the committee that she was
speaking as a mother of seven, a children's writer, a school
board member, and a resident of rural Alaska. Firstly, she
opined that reading and a love of books is critically important
to a child. Tattered books and empty shelves in village schools
is a failure on a fundamental level and, through her research as
a school board member, she learned that kids with well stocked
libraries benefit in many ways. Ms. Edwardson reminded the
committee that village schools are community centers, and there
is no other source for books in villages. She recalled that the
DEED reports that one-third of Alaska's students enter high
school reading below grade level.
4:56:45 PM
CHAIR WILSON asked witnesses to submit written testimony if
possible.
4:57:50 PM
PATRICIA LINVILLE, Librarian, Seward Community Library, stated
that the Seward Community Library is the only municipal library
on the eastern Kenai Peninsula and it is used all day by
residents and visitors in a variety of ways. The community of
Seward has risen over $100,000 for a desperately needed new
library and museum. Furthermore, the city of Seward is applying
for loans and grants, as there will be no federal funding
available. She opined that Seward would apply for a matching
grant from the state grant program established by SB 119 if
given the opportunity. Ms. Linville concluded that SB 119 would
help Alaska's school and public libraries become the information
sources and community centers that are needed in small
communities to ensure an informed future for the state.
5:00:22 PM
SUE PAULSEN stated that she was a library user for over 50
years. She pointed out that there is a new library project in
Petersburg that is supported by efforts from the community, the
library board, and many other groups; however, the project needs
the help of the legislature to complete construction of a
cornerstone of the community. She thanked the legislators for
their work and urged the committee to pass SB 119, with attached
funding, as soon as possible.
5:01:21 PM
SHARON JUNGE, Physician, related her experience as a rural
physician and opined that libraries are helpful in the
prevention of mental illness and substance abuse by providing a
place to go and opportunities for social interaction, and by
functioning as a center of cultural events and sources of
accurate information. She described the passage of SB 119 as an
opportunity for legislators to improve the quality of life for
constituents in small towns.
5:01:57 PM
PEARL BROWER, Special Assistant for External Affairs, Ilisagvik
College, informed the committee that Ilisagvik College is a
tribal college with a mission to educate and to preserve and
promote its culture and heritage. The Barrow community library
is managed by the college and functions as the school and public
library in Barrow while providing extra library support to all
of the villages on the North Slope. In addition, the library
collects and disseminates cultural information worldwide. She
noted that the library served 70,000 patrons in 2008 and a
larger facility is necessary. She expressed her support for SB
119 in order to create more space for her community's youth and
the library's archive collection.
5:03:31 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON listed the eligibility requirements for a
construction grant and asked whether Ilisagvik College would
qualify.
5:04:31 PM
MS. BROWER explained that the library is a North Slope Borough
facility that is managed by the college; therefore, the grant
would be applied for by the municipal government and the library
would qualify.
5:04:51 PM
DAVID ONGLEY, Representative, Tuzzy Library, reminded the
committee of the national trend to cut school libraries and
librarians. He recalled that the library budget formerly
allowed a librarian to visit the villages on the North Slope;
however, there is no budget now, even for books. He listed
several library construction projects that are receiving
different levels of state funding and opined that the
construction portion of the bill will make funding throughout
the state uniform.
5:07:06 PM
JUDITH MCQUERRY, Representative, Ketchikan Public Library, spoke
of municipal public libraries, from Ketchikan to Barrow, that
are in need of expansion or new facilities. She indicated that
there has been no grant funding for decades; in fact, library
construction money goes only to communities represented by
powerful legislators. Ms. McQuerry urged the committee to
support the library construction portion of SB 119. In
addition, she expressed her support for the funding of school
library collections, as school libraries have no other source of
funds for books.
CAITLIN DIXON, School Librarian, Shoenbar Middle School, stated
the need for a new public library in Ketchikan. She informed
the committee that Shoenbar Middle School has a beautiful new
library building and books; however, all of the other schools
are in need of funds to fix their library collections. The
present budgets for school libraries will not make up for the
past lean years when insufficient additions were made.
5:10:20 PM
KARI SAGEL, Teacher, Blatchley Middle School; Librarian, Alaska
Association of School Libraries, explained that library books
and materials help to prepare students to meet Alaska's
educational standards. In fact, she has been purchasing books
almost exclusively to support the new eighth grade science
testing. Other areas of the library collection have been
neglected, such as geology, weather, climate, botany, physics,
and mythology, because these subjects are not covered by the
curriculum standards testing. Ms. Sagel stressed the importance
of a new and relevant collection in order to interest students
in reading and research. She concluded that, to interest
students in reading and to improve their success at reaching
educational standards, the library must provide current and
accurate books and materials that meet students' curricular and
interest needs.
5:12:17 PM
BARB BRYSON, School Librarian; Board Member, Alaska Association
of Libraries, related her experience as a school librarian for
27 years. She advised that school libraries that are properly
funded, staffed, and resourced lead to higher student
achievement regardless of the socioeconomic or education levels
of the community. In addition, based on 2004 and 2005
statistics, the median budget for school libraries nationwide
was $9,368.00, the average budget in the Pacific Northwest was
$19,211.00, and the average budget for Alaska was $4,284.00. Ms.
Bryson observed that replacing library materials is very
expensive; in fact, the average cost of a children's hardback
book is $21.00. She opined that the funds proposed by SB 119
would allow an annual purchase of 142 books, which would
improve any collection. Ms. Bryson reminded the committee that
state standards cite the importance of libraries, but without
funding librarians can not support the standards. She
encouraged the passage of SB 119.
5:15:24 PM
CATHY BOUTIN, School Librarian; Member, Governor's Advisory
Council on Libraries, stated that she is testifying as an
individual. Ms. Boutin informed the committee that the new
Harry Potter book cost $34.99. She estimated that $3,000 would
go a long way to help school library collections. She gave
several examples of out-dated books that are still in school
collections, and pointed out the rising cost of publications and
digital versatile discs (DVD)s.
5:17:55 PM
CHAIR WILSON closed public testimony.
[SB 119 was held over.]
5:18:47 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee meeting
was adjourned at 5:18 p. m.
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