Legislature(2017 - 2018)CAPITOL 106
01/20/2017 08:00 AM Senate EDUCATION
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Overview: Alaska Department of Education & Early Development | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
JOINT MEETING
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
January 20, 2017
8:01 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
Senator Shelley Hughes, Chair
Senator Gary Stevens
Senator Cathy Giessel
Senator Tom Begich
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
Representative Harriet Drummond, Chair
Representative Justin Parish, Vice Chair
Representative Zach Fansler
Representative Ivy Spohnholz
Representative Jennifer Johnston
Representative Chuck Kopp
Representative David Talerico
MEMBERS ABSENT
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
Senator John Coghill
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
Representative Geran Tarr
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Senator Natasha von Imhof
Representative Daniel Ortiz
Representative Steve Thompson
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION: ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION & EARLY DEVELOPMENT
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
MICHAEL JOHNSON, Ph.D., Commissioner
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented an overview of the Department of
Education and Early Development (DEED).
HEIDI TESHNER, Administrative Services Director
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information about the Department
of Education and Early Development (DEED) budget.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:01:26 AM
CHAIR SHELLEY HUGHES called the joint meeting of the Senate
Education and House Education Standing Committees to order at
8:01 a.m. Present at the call to order were Senators Stevens,
Giessel, Begich, and Chair Hughes, and Representatives Kopp,
Parish, Fansler, Johnston, Talerico, and Chair Drummond.
Representative Spohnholz arrived shortly thereafter.
^OVERVIEW: ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION & EARLY DEVELOPMENT
OVERVIEW: ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION & EARLY DEVELOPMENT
CHAIR HUGHES began the meeting by paraphrasing from the Alaska
Constitution, Article 7, Section 1:
The legislature shall by general law establish and maintain
a system of public schools open to all children of the
State, and may provide for other public educational
institutions. Schools and institutions so established shall
be free from sectarian control. No money shall be paid from
public funds for the direct benefit of any religious or
other private educational institution.
She noted that Section 3 establishes the University of Alaska,
which is governed by the Board of Regents.
8:03:46 AM
Chair Hughes welcomed Representative Spohnholz. She recognized
the presence of Representative Thompson and Senator von Imhof.
She stressed that it is a pivotal time in Alaska and emphasized
the importance of education. She said education is the key to
Alaska's children's future and very much a part of the American
dream. It unlocks doors for children as a way to improve their
circumstances.
She requested that each member of the committee share their
background in education and a reason why they think education is
important. She shared personal experiences with the public
school system as a parent of four children. She said one child
attended a private school for several years and she homeschooled
her children briefly. She said she has lived in multiple school
districts throughout the state and has a statewide perspective
of rural and urban schools. She related that she attended the
University of Alaska. She concluded that she brings the
perspective of families, students, and parents to the committee.
8:06:13 AM
SENATOR GIESSEL said she has been on the Education Committee for
two years. She related her background as a mother of three
children who homeschooled her children for 12 years during their
elementary years. Her children attended public school after
that. She has served as a School Board member and her husband is
a teacher. She wished to continue the committee's work to
increase the effectiveness of public schools. She stressed the
importance of reading.
8:07:23 AM
SENATOR STEVENS shared that he taught at the University of
Alaska for 25 years as a history professor and served as the
president of the Kodiak School Board for three years during a
time of extreme budget cuts. He said a bill he sponsored created
the Senate and House Education Standing Committees. He concluded
that he is dedicated to public education and wants to ensure
that the state provides the best education possible.
8:08:04 AM
SENATOR BEGICH shared his experience as a graduate of Anchorage
Public Schools and the University of Alaska, and as a peer
teacher. In his private business he worked with Citizens for the
Educational Advancement of Alaska's Children on both the
Kasayulie and Moore lawsuits. He has done strategic planning for
school districts. He said he hopes to continue to build and
strengthen education so that it will make people want to stay in
Alaska, allow students to achieve goals of further education or
careers, and attract people to the state.
8:09:12 AM
CHAIR HUGHES noted Senate members have a wealth of experience.
She added that she taught four years at a private school and
instructed in a prison setting. She believes education is key to
unlocking opportunity and hopes the committee can help increase
the quality of education, protect funding in the classroom, and
streamline administration.
CHAIR HUGHES turned the gavel over to Chair Drummond.
CHAIR DRUMMOND assumed the gavel and introduced the LIO
moderator and Senate Records secretary. She recognized
Representative Daniel Ortiz.
8:12:08 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO shared his background in education. He
reported he served on the Upper Railbelt School Board and worked
with schools during his time as the Denali Borough mayor. He was
also a high school basketball coach at Tri-Valley for five
years. He said he and his wife, and many family members are
graduates of Tri-Valley High School.
8:12:52 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PARISH shared his background as a public school
student in Juneau, plus one semester of home schooling. He
attended the University of Alaska - Fairbanks and then taught
English in France for about a year. He attended University of
Alaska - Southeast and then studied in China for a year and
taught English there. He returned to Juneau and worked as a
substitute teacher and then became a para-educator for two
years.
8:13:47 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSTON shared that she is a mother of three
children who have gone through both the Fairbanks and Anchorage
school systems. She said she was an outdoor educator in the
Anchorage School District and also with Cook Inlet Tribal
Council. She serves as a board member of Education Matters,
which came out of the Mayor's Education Taskforce and an ARISE
board member under the Cook Inlet Tribal Council. She spent nine
years on the Anchorage Assembly. She wants to ensure that
Alaskan children get an education and state funding goes to
education.
8:15:15 AM
REPRESENTATIVE FANSLER said he was a math teacher at the
Kuskokwim Campus of the University of Alaska - Fairbanks in
Bethel. He said education is a priority and he wants to have an
effective and comprehensive education system pre-K through post-
secondary education.
8:15:57 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ said she went to the Anchorage School
District and took advantage of the many options in school
choice. She is the mother of three daughters in the school
system, one who has special needs and two who are in gifted
programs. She understands the challenges of public schools to
meet all students' needs. She worked at the University of Alaska
- Anchorage to help attract private funding to the university
through endowments and scholarships. She shared that her family
values public education. She said she is interested in
innovative programs in rural Alaska.
8:20:24 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP said he has had a diverse educational
background and his parents were educators in rural Alaska. He
spoke of the importance of rural schools. He said he attended a
variety of types of schools and has strong beliefs in sports
programs.
8:22:27 AM
CHAIR DRUMMOND noted members' talents and passion for education.
She related her experience visiting rural schools. As a mother
she became involved in schools when her son was in relocated
classrooms in Anchorage. She was on the Anchorage School Board
nine years when there was a surge of building new schools. The
Alaska Association of School Boards hosted a conference in
Anchorage and she said she was able to meet members from around
the nation. She said she has a strong interest in school
facilities. Her goal is to make sure kids continue to receive a
world class education and to move forward in spite of budget
cuts.
8:26:16 AM
CHAIR DRUMMOND invited the presenters to begin the overview on
the Department of Education and Early Development (DEED).
8:26:42 AM
MICHAEL JOHNSON, Ph.D., Commissioner of Department of Education
and Early Development (DEED), presented a department overview of
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED). He said as
the new commissioner he hopes to provide answers and clarity to
the Education Committees so that they can make good decisions on
students' behalf. He thanked the committees for beginning the
meeting by stating their backgrounds in education and their
hopes. He said he is excited about his role and the chance to
work with committee members.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON shared that he came to Alaska while in
college to work at a summer camp and then began his career in
education as a special education aid in the Copper River School
District. He became a teacher there, a principal, and then a
superintendent. He opined that there are many reasons to be
excited about educational opportunities for Alaska students and
that the opportunities far exceed the challenges.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON introduced Sana Efird, Deputy Director of
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED), who was
present in the room.
8:29:09 AM
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON shared the objectives of the presentation:
Provide basic Alaska education facts and information
Provide a broad overview of department functions along with
statutory references for each function
Provide an overview of basic information regarding DEED's
budget
Answer committee members' questions
He shared the DEED's vision and mission statements:
Vision Statement
All students can succeed in their education and work, shape
worthwhile and satisfying lives for themselves, exemplify
the best values of society, and be effective in improving
the character and quality of the world about them. AS
14.03.015
Mission Statement
An excellent education for every student every day.
8:31:09 AM
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON listed the State Board of Education & Early
Development's Strategic Priorities:
Amplify student learning
Inspire community ownership of educational excellence
Modernize the education system
Ensure excellent educators
Promote safety and well-being
He said the Board will continue their strategic planning process
at the January meeting next week.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON provided a broad overview of Alaska's
schools. He related that there are 53 school districts, plus Mt.
Edgecumbe High School. There are currently 507 operational
schools. The public school system includes traditional,
alternative, charter, correspondence, and residential boarding
schools. There were approximately 130,000 K-12 students on
October 1 of 2015 and 9 percent were enrolled in public
correspondence schools.
8:33:05 AM
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON referred to the Alaska Constitution,
Article 7, Section 1, which requires that the legislature
establish and maintain a public education system. He read
Section 1. He read the State Education Policy, AS 14.03.015:
"The purpose of education is to help ensure that all students
will succeed in their education and work."
CHAIR DRUMMOND noted that questions will be taken at the end of
the presentation.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON showed DEED's Organizational Chart. He
noted he is working with department staff to restructure the
department, as recommended in the performance review that was
conducted under HB 40. He is working to make the department
effective in accomplishing its mission and vision. He noted that
in 2016 the department had a significant change in leadership
and is working hard to be able to meet legislative needs.
8:35:35 AM
HEIDI TESHNER, Administrative Services Director, Department of
Education and Early Development (DEED), presented information
about the Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
budget. She explained that the department is made up of five
divisions and three boards and commissions. She described the
structure overview and function of each division and
board/commission and paraphrased from the following slides
throughout her presentation.
Office of the Commissioner
-5 full-time budgeted positions
-0.1% of DEED's FY2018 Operating Budget Request
-$1,037.0 total budget request ($1,014.6 UGF)
-Provides policy direction and support to Alaska's school
districts, schools, students, parents, teachers, and
department programs that increase student achievement.
Administrative Services
-15 full-time budgeted positions
-0.2% of DEED's FY2018 Operating Budget Request
-$3,661.4 total budget request ($2,182.0 UGF)
-Provides centralized administrative management and
financial, budget, procurement, human resources, and
information technology support services to the department
divisions; and state facilities rent.
School Finance and Facilities
-11 full-time budgeted positions
-0.1% of DEED's FY2018 Operating Budget Request
-$2,203.4 total budget request ($1,307.6 UGF)
-Allocates and accounts for resources distributed to Alaska
school districts and Mt. Edgecumbe Boarding School and
provides services that promote safe facilities which
support quality education programs.
8:39:13 AM
MS. TESHNER described various types of funding that programs
receive, as set in statute: the foundation funding formula,
pupil transportation program, boarding home grants, youth and
detention program funds, and special schools funds.
8:42:23 AM
MS. TESHNER continued with the Division of Teaching and Learning
Support, the largest division.
-65 full-time budgeted positions
-14.6% of DEED's FY2018 Operating Budget Request
-$237,609.6 total budget request ($17,783.2 UGF)
-Provides support through federal program funding and
compliance; academic standards, academic assessment and
accountability; state system of support to increase school
effectiveness; and active partnerships.
8:45:31 AM
Professional Teaching Practices Commission
-2 full-time budgeted positions
-0.0% of DEED'sFY2018 Operating Budget Request
-$303.0 total budget request ($0.0 UGF)
-Serves as a preventative and positive force in working to
enhance the professional performance of all educators, and
ensures that members of the teaching profession in
Alaska are qualified and ethical educators.
8:46:38 AM
Alaska State Council on the Arts
-5 full-time budgeted positions
-0.2%of DEED's FY2018 Operating Budget Request
-$2,768.5 total budget request ($692.8 UGF)
-Promotes and fosters the development of the arts for all
Alaskans through education, partnerships, grants, and
services.
8:48:05 AM
Mt. Edgecumbe High School
-56 full and part-time budgeted positions
-0.8% of DEED's FY2018 Operating Budget Request
-$13,336.7 total budget request ($4,758.8 UGF)
-Provides a successful comprehensive residential high
school for Alaskan students.
8:48:54 AM
Libraries, Archives & Museums
-53 full, part-time, and non-perm budgeted positions
-0.8%of DEED's FY2018 Operating Budget Request
-$13,326.2 total budget request ($8,084.2 UGF)
-Provides the public with access to government information;
collects, organizes, preserves, and makes available
materials that document the history of the state; and
promotes the development of libraries archives and museums
statewide.
8:50:42 AM
MS. TESHNER turned to the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary
Education found in DEED for administrative support only.
-86 full-time and non-perm budgeted positions
-2.8%of DEED'sFY2018 Operating Budget Request
-$45,635.9 total budget request ($0.0 UGF)
-Promotes access to and success in education and career
training after high school; increases Alaska's physician
workforce by providing public medical education to Alaskans
and by providing residency training for medical school
graduates (WWAMI Medical Education); Alaska Performance
Scholarship Awards; and the Alaska Student Loan
Corporation.
8:52:51 AM
MS. TESHNER turned to a slide on the FY2018 Governor's Budget,
which is a little over $1.6 billion. She listed the K-12 formula
programs and agency and program operations by fund source. She
said 80 percent of the budget is for K-12 programs: foundation
formula, pupil transportation, boarding home grants, youth in
detention and special schools. She noted that 82 percent is
general funds (GF) and unrestricted general funds (UGF), 15
percent is federal funds, and 4 percent is other funds.
8:53:53 AM
She addressed the budget by line item. The total budget
including all funds was $1,621,976.2 of which 95 percent is from
grants. The remaining 5 percent is made up by personal service -
2 percent, and other lines - 3 percent.
8:54:20 AM
She related information about the UGF budget which totals
$1,394,483.0 and is made up of 98 percent grants, 1 percent
personal services, and 1 percent other lines.
8:54:45 AM
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON recalled Governor Walker's comments during
the State of the State address when he said the state needs to
rethink its entire system of public education. Commissioner
Johnson commented that, "Though many students in Alaska receive
a great education, far too many do not. We need to make sure the
system of public education in Alaska works for all of our
students." He invited each member of the committees to become
directly involved in the restructuring process. He said, "In
2017 we can be better and we can be more efficient." He hopes in
the future to share many examples of how districts are being
more efficient and innovative in delivering education. He
concluded that he looks forward to working with, and learning
from, committee members, to meet Alaska's education challenges.
8:56:06 AM
CHAIR DRUMMOND thanked Commissioner Johnson and opened the
meeting for questions.
SENATOR STEVENS requested that Commissioner Johnson invite the
Alaska State Board of Education and Early Development to a
Senate Education meeting.
CHAIR DRUMMOND recalled that the Board chair only presents to
the legislature once per session. She noted that the legislature
approves Board appointments, as well as Board of Regent
appointments.
8:57:17 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSTON commented that she is excited about what
she has heard. She encouraged that the new strategic plan be
measureable as to its effectiveness. She commented that in her
work she's never met a student that was not very bright. She
added that there are many bright students who have not had
educational opportunities. She hopes the new plan will be funded
in a way that reaches every student.
8:58:22 AM
SENATOR BEGICH asked whether the positions of Director of School
Finance and Administrative Services Director will be combined.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON said yes.
SENATOR BEGICH noted that the Board has established and is
moving forward with the Strategic Plan. He suggested that the
Board involve both House and Senate Education Committees in the
planning process. He shared more information about his education
background noting his wife and sisters, as well as his parents,
were educators.
CHAIR DRUMMOND noted that Senator Begich's wife was present.
9:00:21 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP congratulated Commissioner Johnson and
Deputy Commissioner Efird. He said he is excited about the
future of education in Alaska. He suggested establishing another
residential high school similar to Mt. Edgecumbe and
consolidating some districts. He spoke of directing money to
teachers in classrooms in order to arrive at efficient outcomes.
9:01:14 AM
CHAIR HUGHES thanked Commissioner Johnson and said she is
excited about innovation in education. She shared a strong
interest in improving education in rural Alaska. She said when
she was living in rural Alaska, lack of good education was a
reason her family left. She stressed that she has an obligation
to ensure that there is a focus on successful education in rural
areas. She mentioned the need to "transform", not reform,
education. She suggested taking advantage of innovative
technology to increase opportunities for rural schools. She
requested ideas from communities, families, parents, and schools
for new possibilities. She noted the Commissioner could bring
ideas from his experiences.
9:04:09 AM
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON restated that during 2017 there will be
incredible opportunity to provide quality education in ways
Alaska has never been able to do before. Many districts are
already doing some exciting projects. He hoped soon there would
be discussions between school districts and committees.
He shared problems at Kenny Lake School in the Copper River
School District due to loss of enrollment. He described the
challenge there to provide students with a great education. He
stressed that this is happening all over rural Alaska. He
pointed out that technology and other innovations are solutions
to delivering great instruction to rural areas. He concluded
that he looks forward to sharing innovative ideas with the
committees.
9:06:24 AM
CHAIR HUGHES said her previously mentioned story was from the
1980s and she has deep admiration for rural teachers. The
committee will be focusing on the issue of exploring new
delivery models to the classroom. She gave the example of
learning a foreign language. She voiced appreciation for
Commissioner Johnson's leadership. She concluded that a goal is
to transform education and promote teaching in a different kind
of way.
9:09:40 AM
SENATOR BEGICH echoed the enthusiasm for reforming and
transforming education. He asked where the state is with
broadband access in rural areas and what the legislature can do
to ensure there is access.
9:10:45 AM
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON offered to get that data and share it with
the committees. He noted the department has been having
conversations with the Alaska Association of School Boards
(AASB) and Alaska School Administrators (ASA) on this topic.
9:11:58 AM
SENATOR STEVENS brought up the conversation on citizenship in
public education. He opined that kids don't understand civics
and citizenship. He suggested keeping citizenship as a key point
in education.
9:13:27 AM
REPRESENTATIVE FANSLER agreed that Western Alaska does not have
access to broadband and is at a disadvantage. He also suggested
more curriculum development that integrates Native cultural
norms into the curriculum.
9:14:57 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ echoed concerns about lack of
broadband. She shared an example of doing distance education -
an integrated delivery of university nursing courses. She said a
similar model in rural areas could be implemented.
She agreed with Senator Stevens about the need for civics
education in the curriculum. She stressed the importance of
hands-on local involvement.
9:19:39 AM
SENATOR GIESSEL appreciated the discussion on broadband in
distance education. She shared her experience in two rural areas
that had excellent distance education. She maintained that the
reason distance education was available was due to resource
development in the areas. She concluded that "the best social
program is a good job."
9:22:24 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PARISH asked what is being done to retain
teachers in Alaska.
9:22:47 AM
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON replied that last year there was over a 12
percent turnover rate for Alaska teachers, a significant
problem. He emphasized that the quality of the teacher is so
important, even with distance education. He said he expects to
engage in frequent discussions on this topic during the state's
educational restructuring.
9:23:47 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO asked about the progress of the Every
Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). He wondered if Alaska's draft plan
was available.
9:24:44 AM
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON said that the state's application to the
federal government is being drafted and is on-going and there
continues to be community meetings on the topic. He hoped to
have a draft this spring for the public to comment on. The
department is scheduled to submit Alaska's application on
September 18. He noted other states have published drafts to
view.
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP commented on the high rate of teacher
turnover in rural Alaska and hoped that particular issue is
looked at. He stressed the importance of the teacher. He also
agreed with Senator Stevens on the need for civics education in
schools. He quoted the "American's Creed" which he had to
memorize in his elementary school classes.
9:28:21 AM
CHAIR HUGHES said there will be committee hearings on technology
in rural areas and teacher retention and an ESSA update. She
invited committee members to submit other topics of interest.
She agreed that civics and cultural learning would benefit
students.
9:30:18 AM
CHAIR DRUMMOND voiced appreciation for everyone's comments and
the department's presentation. She recalled that last year the
standardized test was cancelled due to technology issues. She
cautioned that Alaska is a very complex place and needs to have
a backup plan to technology.
CHAIR HUGHES suggested the committees might meet again jointly
for further discussion.
9:32:23 AM
There being no further business to come before the Senate and
House Education Committees, Chair Drummond adjourned the joint
Senate and House Education Standing Committee meeting at 9:32
a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| 1-20-17 Joint HS Hearing FINAL.pdf |
SEDC 1/20/2017 8:00:00 AM |
|
| DEED FY2018 Governor's Budget with Statutes Regs.pdf |
SEDC 1/20/2017 8:00:00 AM |