02/08/2023 03:30 PM Senate EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB14 | |
| SB52 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 14 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 52 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
February 8, 2023
3:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Löki Tobin, Chair
Senator Gary Stevens, Vice Chair
Senator Jesse Bjorkman
Senator Jesse Kiehl
Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 14
"An Act relating to reemployment of persons who retire under the
teachers' retirement system as mentors; relating to retirement
incentives for members of the defined benefit retirement plan of
the teachers' retirement system and the defined benefit
retirement plan of the Public Employees' Retirement System of
Alaska; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
SENATE BILL NO. 52
"An Act relating to education; increasing the base student
allocation; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 14
SHORT TITLE: RIP FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYEES/TEACHERS
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) KAWASAKI
01/18/23 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/9/23
01/18/23 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/18/23 (S) EDC, L&C, FIN
02/03/23 (S) EDC AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/03/23 (S) -- MEETING CANCELED --
02/08/23 (S) EDC AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
BILL: SB 52
SHORT TITLE: INCREASE BASE STUDENT ALLOCATION
SPONSOR(s): EDUCATION
02/01/23 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/01/23 (S) EDC, FIN
02/01/23 (S) EDC AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/01/23 (S) Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled
02/03/23 (S) EDC AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/03/23 (S) -- MEETING CANCELED --
02/08/23 (S) EDC AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
WITNESS REGISTER
SENATOR KAWASAKI, District D
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SB 14.
JOE HAYES, Staff
Senator Scott Kawasaki
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the sectional analysis on SB 14.
DOUG WOOLIVER, Deputy Director
Office of the Administrative Director
Alaska Court System
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified by invitation on SB 45.
MICHAEL MASON, Staff
Senator Loki Tobin
Alaska State Legislature
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced SB 52.
HENRY BURNS, Principal
Seward High School
Seward, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 52.
JENNIFER DESERMIA, representing self
Seward, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 52.
MEGAN MILLER, Drama Adviser
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Seward, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 52.
ALEX WERTHEIMER, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 52.
SENATOR SHELLEY HUGHES, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 52 with concerns.
LEM WHEELES, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 52.
BRANDY HARTY, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 52.
BARBARA TYNDALL, representing self
North Pole, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 52.
KELLY NASH, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 52.
MARGRET MULLINS, representing self
Delta Junction, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 52.
MELISSA BURNETT, Member,
Fairbanks North Star Borough Board of Education
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 52.
JENNA FABIAN, Principal
Nikiski North Star Elementary
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 52.
LON GARRISON, Executive Director
Association of Alaska School Boards
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 52.
SENATOR SHOWER representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 52 with concerns.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:30:49 PM
CHAIR LÖKI TOBIN called the Senate Education Standing Committee
meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. Present at the call to order were
Senators Gray-Jackson, Bjorkman, Stevens, Kiehl, and Chair
Tobin.
SB 14-RIP FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYEES/TEACHERS
3:31:42 PM
CHAIR TOBIN announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 14
"An Act relating to reemployment of persons who retire under the
teachers' retirement system as mentors; relating to retirement
incentives for members of the defined benefit retirement plan of
the teachers' retirement system and the defined benefit
retirement plan of the Public Employees' Retirement System of
Alaska; and providing for an effective date."
3:32:43 PM
SENATOR SCOTT KAWASAKI, District D, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, provided the sponsor statement on SB 14 as
follows:
[Original punctuation provided.]
"An Act relating to reemployment of persons who retire
under the teachers' retirement system; relating to
retirement incentives for members of the defined
benefit retirement plan of the teachers' retirement
system and the defined benefit retirement plan of the
Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska; and
providing for an effective date."
Senate Bill 14 would implement a temporary, voluntary
Retirement Incentive Program to increase state savings
by allowing public employees to retire up to three
years early and to set in statute a way for a school
district to rehire retired educators through a 12-
month contract. Long-serving public employees are
among the highest paid in the state. In many cases,
pensions paid to retiring employees would cost the
state less money than their current salaries.
Providing high-salaried employees with the option to
retire early would save Alaska money through lower
personnel costs.
SB 14 could also help prevent layoffs. The bill
presents a method of cost-cutting and payroll
reduction without forcing anyone out of the workforce
before they are ready to retire. This gives the State
of Alaska the opportunity to reduce operating costs by
opening vacancies that enable the placement of more
junior employees. Retirement incentive programs are
regularly used in the private sector to efficiently
control personnel costs through market incentives
rather than heavy-handed layoffs.
Retirement Incentive Programs have been used on a
temporary basis three times in Alaska's history and
was last proposed in 2004. In 1986, Senator Jim Duncan
estimated savings at approximately $25 million. A
Legislative Audit of the 1989 Retirement Incentive
Program demonstrated a savings of $22.9 million with
nearly 1,764 individual participants. In 1996, Rep.
McGuire calculated the state gained $41 million in
savings through identical legislation.
Senate Bill 14 is an innovative policy option for
state agencies, municipalities, and school districts
to consider as a means to reduce payroll costs without
layoffs.
3:37:18 PM
JOE HAYES, Staff, Senator Scott Kawasaki, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented the sectional analysis on
SB 14 as follows:
[Original punctuation provided.]
"An Act relating to reemployment of persons who retire
under the teachers' retirement system; relating to
retirement incentives for members of the defined
benefit retirement plan of the teachers' retirement
system and the defined benefit retirement plan of the
Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska; and
providing for an effective date."
Section 1: Defines the purpose and intent of the bill.
Sec. 2 AS 14.20.136(a), Page 2, Lines 510
Is amended to update the statute under which
members (individuals who are eligible to
participate in the retirement plan and are
covered by the plan) are retired from AS
14.25.110(a) to AS 14.25.110.
Sec. 3 AS 14.20.136(f), Page 2, Lines 1117
Is amended by adding a new subsection AS
14.20.136(f)(2) to specify that (c), (d), and
(e)(1) of this section do not apply to the rehire
of a member who is paid by the hour to mentor
teachers who have taught for fewer than four
years. (c), (d), and (e)(1) require, in other
circumstances, that the school district describe
a shortage before rehiring retired members,
publicly advertise the position, make contracts
for no longer than 12 months, and provide the
administrator with related documentation.
Sec. 4 AS 14.25.043(f), Page 2, Lines 1827
Is amended to update the statute under which
members are retired from AS 14.25.110(a) to AS
14.25.110.
Sec. 5 AS 14.25.043(g), Page 2, Lines 2831, Page 3,
Lines 14
Is amended to update the statute under which
members retire to specify that this subsection,
which allows for retired and reemployed members
to receive group health plan coverage, does not
apply to retired members who are rehired and paid
by the hour to mentor teachers who have taught
for fewer than four years.
Sec. 6 AS 14.25.070(a), Page 3, Lines 713
Is amended to clarify that each employer shall
contribute to the retirement system 12.56 percent
of all base salaries paid to active and retired
members who are eligible to receive group health
plan coverage, which does not include retired
members who are rehired and paid by the hour to
mentor teachers.
Section 7: Page 3- 6 Lines 15- 24
Defines who are eligible to use the retirement
incentive program under the legislation.
Employer's may limit the program to specific
components, job classifications, geographic
location, or a combination of the three.
Section 8: Page 6 7 Lines 25 - 12
Requires interested eligible state employees must
be employed for at least 12 months prior to
application to an approved RIP. Prohibits
executive branch employees from participating in
a RIP.
Section 9: Page 7, lines 15 21
Authorizes certain University of Alaska employees
who are members of PERS or TRS may participate in
a RIP under the appropriate requirements for
their defined benefit retirement program
established under this bill.
Section 10: Page 7 8, Lines 25 2
Is amended to give specify benefit cannot be
enacted under this bill until an agreement is
executed with the administrator that authorizes
the employee to participate in the RIP. Allows
the legislature to change a RIP as it relates to
employees for whom an agreement has not been
executed.
Section 11: Page 8, Lines 5 - 10
Is amended to add a new section which allows the
commissioner to adopt regulations to implement
and interpret the Act.
Section 12: Page 8 - 9, Lines 13 - 12
Provides definitions of administrator, employer,
OMB, PERS, TRS, public organization and state
agency for purposes of the Act established under
this bill.
Section 13 Sec. 18: Pages 812
Is amended to update referenced section numbers.
Sec. 19 Page 12, Lines 1516
Is Amended to say Sections 1 18 of the acts
applies to contracts entered on or after the
effective date of the legislation.
Sec. 20 Page 12, Line 17
Is amended to specify that the only sections 1
and 717 are repealed on July 1, 2026. The
teacher mentoring provisions remain in effect.
Sec. 21 Page 12, Line 18
Provides an immediate effective date under AS
01.10.070(c).
3:41:52 PM
CHAIR TOBIN noted Senator Shower was in attendance.
3:42:00 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON asked if municipal employees would be
eligible.
3:42:15 PM
MR. HAYES replied that public sector employees would be eligible
for the program.
3:42:31 PM
SENATOR STEVENS opined that it is concerning to replace senior
professors with inexperienced hires. He asked whether the goal
of SB 14 is to save money or get the best teachers.
MR. HAYES replied that the governor had implemented budgets
forcing organizations to terminate employees. Generally, new
employees were the individuals let go. SB 14 offers agencies
another tool in their toolbox by allowing employees close to
retirement an opportunity to retire early, allowing newer
employees to remain. No agency would have to apply the
incentives in SB 14.
3:44:03 PM
SENATOR STEVENS asked if SB 14 allows older teachers to retire
early and return to teaching.
MR. HAYES said that the Department of Labor and Commerce
chairperson added the provision last year to incentivize
teachers to mentor new teachers. Senator Kawasaki decided to
leave the provision in SB 14.
3:44:51 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON asked how the retirement provision would
address the retirement age of various tiers.
MR. HAYES said every tier has the ability for early retirement
if the employee can pay the percentage required. SB 14 requires
an employee to be at least 50 years old, with at least 17 years
of service.
3:46:00 PM
SENATOR KIEHL stated a clause in SB 14 allows the Personal
Employee Retirement System and Teachers Retirement System (PERS
and TRS) administrator to withdraw approval of retirement
incentive pay (RIP) if it would actuarially harm the fund. He
asked if it is also a requirement for approving RIP.
MR. HAYES reiterated that SB 14 is just a tool. He replied that
agencies must decide who can apply. For example, if an agency
considers a deputy director too valuable to retire, that person
would not be allowed to retire. However, a senior employee might
be able to, provided the employee was outside the executive
branch.
3:47:20 PM
SENATOR KIEHL said the Division of Retirement and Benefits (DRB)
approves RIPs for school districts. He asked how a DRB employee
would know whether a school district could fill specific jobs.
He opined that it would be difficult for the head of DRB to know
the answers to the concerns of school districts, such as the
reasonable chance of filling a position.
3:48:11 PM
MR. HAYES replied that before it reaches the state level, the
assumption is school districts, working with the school boards,
would decide what positions could retire early. They would
select the provisions necessary to hire someone to fill the
position. Local government would make the decision and carry it
forward.
3:48:54 PM
SENATOR STEVENS asked how the University of Alaska and school
districts have responded to SB 14.
MR. HAYES replied that the University of Alaska had yet to
respond, and school districts have had a mixed response.
Although some school districts like having another tool in their
toolbox, others fear needed teachers will retire. Yet, school
districts control the retirement eligibility mechanism. He
stated he continues explaining SB 14 to those districts that are
uncertain.
3:50:02 PM
DOUG WOOLIVER, Deputy Director, Office of the Administrative
Director, Alaska Court System, Anchorage, Alaska, stated the
court system offered a retirement incentive program in FY 17 as
a money-saving tool. The agency did not have the authority to
offer early retirement, which would require statutory change.
Instead, it offered severance pay. If an employee worked for the
court system for a minimum of 10 years and was eligible to
retire for at least three years, the employee would receive
three months of salary as an incentive to quit. There were 28
eligible employees, making it easy to determine whether valuable
people would be lost. Fourteen people accepted the severance
package. The agency knew it could easily fill some positions and
not fill others. The first year was a saving of $680,000. The
amount of savings decreased each year as employees' steps
increased. It was a successful program used during tough budget
years.
3:52:41 PM
SENATOR KIEHL said he understood the reason for the ten-year
service requirement but asked for an explanation of the three-
year retirement eligibility requirement.
MR. WOOLIVER replied that it was to encourage eligible people to
retire.
3:53:37 PM
SENATOR KIEHL responded that people could have been encouraged
to retire one month after eligibility. He asked why the agency
chose three years instead.
MR. WOOLIVER replied he was unsure why the agency chose three
years except that people eligible for three years had probably
been considering retirement. Also, the agency looked at how
years of retirement eligibility affected participation numbers
to manage the loss of long-term employees. It is a balance
between saving money and keeping experienced employees.
3:54:40 PM
CHAIR TOBIN held SB 14 in committee.
3:55:05 PM
At ease.
SB 52-INCREASE BASE STUDENT ALLOCATION
3:56:41 PM
CHAIR TOBIN reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 52 "An Act relating to
education; increasing the base student allocation; and providing
for an effective date."
3:57:32 PM
MICHAEL MASON, Staff, Senator Loki Tobin, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, introduced SB 52 on behalf of the
Senate Education Committee as follows:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Senate Bill 52
Senate Bill 52 is a 4-line bill that would add $1,000
to Alaska's Base Student Allocation.
• This committee chose the Base Student Allocation
as the mechanism to increase education funding in
Alaska because of its simplicity.
• But more importantly, an increase to the BSA
benefits every student and every school in
Alaska.
• During public testimony on the issue of education
funding this Committee heard repeatedly that a
large BSA increase will breathe new life into
Alaska's struggling public education system.
I want to take a few moments to explain why Senate
Bill 52 was written the way it is.
• If you look at the sectional analysis for the
bill there is some slightly unusual language for
a piece of legislation.
• The short explanation is that SB 52 is an
amendment to the Alaska Reads Act that was passed
and signed into law last year.
• If you remember, the Alaska Reads Act included a
$30 increase to the Base Student Allocation that
takes effect at the start of Fiscal Year 2024 on
July 1, 2023.
• Currently, the BSA stands at $5,930 per eligible
student.
• As a result of the Alaska Reads Act, the BSA will
increase by $30 to $5,960 on July 1.
• Senate Bill 52 would further increase the BSA by
$1,000 up to $6,960.
• SB 52 mirrors the effective date of BSA increase
in the Alaska Reads Act so the additional $1,000
increase to the BSA would take effect on July 1,
2023.
If you look at the fiscal notes for SB 52 you will see
that the funding mechanism for the BSA increase is a
general fund transfer to the Public Education Fund
(PEF).
• The fiscal note prepared by DEEDs School Finance
Division includes a breakdown of how much
additional funding Alaska's school districts will
receive if SB 52 is passed and signed into law.
• The Anchorage School District would see an
increase of over $73 million.
• The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
would receive over $23.8 million in additional
funding.
• The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District,
which would receive an additional $17.2 million
dollars.
• The Mat-Su Borough School District would receive
over $35.4 million in additional funding.
• Sen. Stevens represents the Kodiak Island Borough
School District, which would receive an
additional $5.25 million.
Over the past couple of weeks, this committee has
heard compelling testimony that flat funding and
inflationary pressures are degrading public
education in Alaska.
• Parents and students are dealing with fewer
education programs, staff shortages, and even the
prospect of school closures.
• In addition to the inability to recruit and
retain teachers, the Senate Education Committee
heard testimony that there are 700 vacant school
support staff positions statewide.
Inflation
Funding for public education has not kept up with
inflation.
• On January 27, the Senate Education Committee
heard a detailed presentation from researchers
with the University of Alaska's Institute of
Social and Economic Research.
• In 2019, Alaska spent less per pupil on public
education than the national average when spending
is adjusted for inflation and the cost of living.
• The Base Student Allocation (BSA) has been
largely unchanged for years.
• The BSA has gone up by only 4.2% since 2012.
($250 increase)
• Since 2012, costs are up 24% due to inflation.
The BSA Increase is a Policy Choice
Senate Bill 52 represents a policy choice by the
members of this committee and, hopefully, the larger
Alaska State Legislature to help Alaska's public
schools address years of increasing costs.
• Legislative Finance estimates the cost of a
$1,000 BSA increase at $257.1 million.
• Sen. Tobin and others believe that a $1,000
increase to the Base Student Allocation is a
fiscally responsible investment in public
education.
4:02:28 PM
At ease.
4:02:45 PM
CHAIR TOBIN reconvened the meeting.
CHAIR TOBIN stated the committee understood the content of SB 52
and would forego the sectional analysis. She asked for an
overview of the fiscal notes.
4:03:07 PM
MR. MASON replied that SB 52 has two fiscal notes. Fiscal note
OMB 141 is from the Department of Education and Early
Development, and the allocation is the foundation program. He
provided the following summary:
[Original punctuation provided.]
SB52 will increase the Base Student Allocation (BSA),
under AS 14.17.470, by $1,000 in the public-school
funding formula. The BSA will change from $5,960 to
$6,960 in FY2024 resulting in a $257 million increase
in funding to districts.
This bill takes effect July 1, 2023 (FY2024).
The funding mechanism is a general fund transfer to
the Public Education Fund (PEF). The fiscal note
effect for FY2024 through FY2029 is reported in the
fiscal note for the PEF, as the funding is deposited
to the PEF, not into the Foundation Program funding
component. The above analysis is presented here for
explanation purposes only.
MR. MASON stated the second fiscal note, OMB 2804, is like the
first. The increased funding to districts in FY 24 is $27.1
million and will remain the same through FY 29.
4:06:36 PM
CHAIR TOBIN opened public testimony on SB 52.
4:06:53 PM
HENRY BURNS, Principal, Seward High School, Seward, Alaska,
testified in support of SB 52. He stated that if the BSA
remained the same, he would have to cut staff, which would mean
75 percent of elective classes and 80 percent of career and
technical education programs. School funding is a critical issue
affecting the quality of education and children's futures.
Adequate funding of schools is necessary to ensure students have
access to programs they need to succeed. School funding is
essential for the following reasons:
Providing necessary resources
Improving teacher quality
Closing the achievement gap
Preparing students for the future
Increasing the BSA is crucial so every student can access a
quality education.
4:08:51 PM
SENATOR STEVENS asked Mr. Burns if not receiving an increase to
the BSA would affect the school district's teacher-student
ratio.
MR. BURNS replied that it would add 3-5 children per class.
4:09:29 PM
JENNIFER DESERMIA, representing self, Seward, Alaska, testified
in support of SB 52. She said she has children in public school
and is speaking for the Seward PTA. She said that if the
legislature does not increase the BSA, Seward schools will lose
1.5 teaching positions at the elementary and middle school and
one at the high school. Also, the high school could not rehire
its art teacher. She opined that the cuts are drastic because
they eliminate most electives and some core classes. Seward
residents want students to have a quality education. Money needs
to be put into education now for the sustained support of
Alaska's communities in the future. More parents are choosing to
homeschool their children. Hiring and retaining teachers is
difficult because the school district must receive its budget
earlier. An increase in the BSA has not occurred since 2015. In
addition to supporting the BSA, she said she also supports
forward funding.
4:12:23 PM
MEGAN MILLER, Drama Adviser, Kenai Peninsula Borough School
District, Seward, Alaska, testified in support of SB 52. She
stated that drama club students are putting on a play with money
from fundraising and grants. It is the first production in two
years. Providing funding for the arts demonstrates to students
that the state believes in them and sees them. The state
silences students when it takes away what they care about.
Students have seen many things start only to be taken away over
the last three years. The state can rebuild students' faith
through consistent funding. Art, music, and drama must return to
schools with challenging skill requirements. Teacher recruitment
and retention for all subjects must be a priority.
4:16:02 PM
ALEX WERTHEIMER, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 52. He stated that he has a son and daughter who
graduated from high school 20 - 30 years ago. His daughter
attended the University of Alaska and now works as a school
counselor in Juneau. He said he would like his granddaughters to
have the same quality opportunities that his children
experienced. Flat funding and inflation have devastated the
efficacy of Alaska's constitutional mandate to provide for
schools. He said class sizes are increasing, schools cannot
recruit and retain teachers and support staff, and school
closures are imminent. He opined that an increase of $1000 will
only partially account for the effects of inflation, but it is a
great start.
4:17:48 PM
SENATOR SHELLEY HUGHES, representing self, Juneau, Alaska,
testified in support of SB 52 with concerns. She stated she
realized she could comment on the Senate floor as a special
order, but it would not be on the record. She asked the
committee to ensure the existing $1 billion in funds for public
K-12 schools and any new funding increases be tied to
accountability measures to improve learning. She also asked that
any new funding the legislature provides be directed to
classroom instruction only. New school dollars should not expand
school administrations. Furthermore, existing statutes that
address funding ratios should favor educational over
administrative spending.
SENATOR HUGHES said only 25 percent of Alaska's fourth-grade
students are proficient in math and reading. Less than 10
percent of Alaska's eighth-grade students are proficient in
math. She opined that Alaska has a problem, and the legislature
needs to look at everything it can do to ensure Alaska's
students are more successful. The Alaska Read's Act is a great
start, but the legislature can do more by requiring mastery of
objectives for grade-level promotion. She stated health care and
transportation costs should not be allowed to pull money from
the classroom.
4:22:07 PM
SENATOR STEVENS asked Senator Hughes for her suggestions on how
to tie accountability issues to money.
SENATOR HUGHES replied she would ask educators for their ideas
on measuring improvement because testing is not always the best
assessment. In Florida, if a student does not receive a passing
score on a test, there are options for portfolio assessments.
She opined it would take a while to see the benefits of the K-
3rd grade cohort once operational. The improvement rate will
differ from Florida and Mississippi because Alaska still allows
social promotion. She stated she would focus on 4th-12th grade
students as they would enter the world of work soon. Requiring
new funding to go to classrooms would make it possible to have
tutors and aides, which would improve learning. Providing an
option for school districts to join the state public employees'
health insurance could bring down health insurance costs for
some school districts, thereby freeing up funds for classroom
use. Research shows that just giving money to school districts
does not improve learning outcomes.
4:25:22 PM
SENATOR SHOWERS representing self, Juneau, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 52 with concerns. He stated Alaska's spending per
pupil has exceeded the US average by 23 percent. Higher spending
does not necessarily correlate with improved outcomes. Alaska
has the sixth-highest public education revenue expenditure in
the nation. Still, it is the fifth lowest in fourth-grade math
and last in fourth-grade reading on the National Assessment of
Educational Progress (NAEP) exams. Indiana had constant spending
but was seventh highest in fourth-grade math and 17th in
reading. Idaho had a decrease in spending and was fifteenth in
fourth-grade math and eleventh in fourth-grade reading.
SENATOR SHOWER said it is important to know where state funds
are spent. Increased spending was not distributed equally
between salaries and benefits. Wages increased only 4 percent,
but total benefits increased 124 percent. The growth in support
services dwarfed the growth in instructional benefits. Total
support services spending in Alaska increased by 50 percent from
2002 - 2020. Support benefits increased by 141 percent. General
administration grew 18 percent. However, high school
administration increased by 42 percent. He provided other
statistics and said he supports giving money to schools if there
are performance metrics. He does not support throwing money at
the problem without knowing the intended outcome. Statistics
show that the state spends a lot of money but needs to get it to
the teachers and students instead of the administration.
4:29:36 PM
LEM WHEELES, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 52. He stated he graduated from Dimond High School
and the University of Alaska. He has taught for 19 years, and
his children attend public school. He said Alaska's schools are
in dire need of an increase to the BSA. A $1000 increase to the
BSA would help correct flat funding. He stated he works at one
of the best schools in Alaska, but over the past four years, the
school has lost one-third of its full-time equivalent (FTE)
positions due to budget cuts. Half of his colleagues have left
teaching due to increasing workloads, inadequate wage increases,
and a lack of a pension. He said his most challenging years of
teaching were the last few due to the earthquake, pandemic, and
increased student anxiety, depression, illness, and uncertainty.
Class sizes have increased due to the flat funding of the BSA.
Rising costs due to inflation have resulted in fewer teachers
having larger class sizes and more papers to grade. Teachers'
pay has decreased while the workload has increased. Other
professions get raises when given more responsibility; teachers
are told to do more with less. More than half of all teachers in
Alaska are in TRS Tier III, so they do not have a defined
retirement benefit or Social Security. People call it the death
tier because teachers must work until they die or risk running
out of money in retirement. He stated he is tired of seeing
great teachers leave because the state is not adequately
investing in schools. It is time to invest in education.
4:32:54 PM
SENATOR STEVENS asked teachers who call in to speak to or
suggest accountability measures.
4:33:22 PM
MR. WHEELES replied that it is a complex topic to discuss
because, as NAEP scores may show, students can have layers of
deficiencies by the time they reach high school. He said that
while he could help a student attain a year's worth of growth,
he sometimes works with a faulty foundation. He stated he agreed
with Senators Hughes and Shower that money needs to be invested
in the classroom and not given to another test or statewide
program that takes away from teachers doing their job.
4:34:34 PM
BRANDY HARTY, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 52. She stated she is a certified elementary
education teacher with two children in public schools and she
serves on the school board. Her husband is an aviator in the
National Guard. They had many choices of where to live, but they
chose Alaska because of the excellent education she received.
She opined that their choice to remain in Alaska becomes harder
every year as they witness the steady decline of Alaska's
schools. She stated her children are not receiving the same
education she did. The school she attended as a child closed
last year, and art programs have been eliminated. Elementary
schools have no orchestra or band, and there are few after-
school athletic programs. Although a $1000 increase to the BSA
is a start, more is needed to bring back lost programs or supply
teachers with meaningful pay increases. Alaska will continue to
have a teacher recruitment and retention problem if teachers do
not receive adequate payment and pension.
4:37:35 PM
BARBARA TYNDALL, representing self, North Pole, Alaska,
testified in opposition to SB 52. She stated that funding for
education takes up much of the state's budget and seems to
increase yearly despite shrinking school populations and
outcomes. She said she does not begrudge spending money for the
education of children. She objects to the quality of the service
and products that Alaskans are receiving. She urged the
legislature to examine the products and funding distribution.
She opined that everything funded is not necessarily
educationally beneficial to students. She applauds Senator
Hughes for discussing accountability and outcomes. Dollars do
not guarantee results, and the state should reduce
administrative funding. She asserted the state should not
increase the BSA until it sees better outcomes.
4:40:14 PM
KELLY NASH, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified in
opposition to SB 52. She said she has a child in the ninth
grade, and teachers are not teaching her how to study
independently. She complained that students always work in
groups, turn in homework in multiple places, and propaganda is
in every school. Long-term substitute teachers are using the
classroom to promote their political beliefs. Librarians and
teachers spend all day on Facebook. She opined schools need to
return their focus to learning. Money is not the problem, and
many teachers left the profession because of the mask and Covid
vaccination mandates. Furthermore, many clubs outside of school
are relatively inexpensive to join.
4:43:25 PM
MARGRET MULLINS, representing self, Delta Junction, Alaska,
testified in opposition to SB 52. She said her family moved to
Delta Junction in 1952 when it had no running water or
electricity. The school was on a military base, and she received
an excellent education. She is appalled to see what children
learn now. They are being given misinformation instead of
education. She is concerned about the "woke agenda" creeping
into the nation. She opined that using the permanent fund
dividend to increase the BSA decreases funds for homeschool
students, old-timers, and survivalists. She said administrators
fired teachers for not getting vaccinated or wearing masks. The
state is misdirecting funds. Until schools stop culturizing and
start educating students, there should not be an increase in the
BSA.
4:46:43 PM
MELISSA BURNETT, Fairbanks North Star Borough Board of
Education, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified in support of SB 52. She
said she is a mother and school board member. She opined that
education is suffering, and school districts have taken drastic
measures statewide. Fairbank's school district has lost teachers
and support staff. Last year it closed three schools. Teachers
will continue to leave the state, and students' education will
only decline without change. Fairbanks believes in providing
excellent, equitable education in a supportive environment so
all students can succeed. However, every year it is getting hard
to provide quality education due to the loss of revenue. The
Alaska constitution states the legislature shall maintain public
schools. She urged the legislature not to short sell the future
of Alaska.
4:49:03 PM
JENNA FABIAN, Principal, Nikiski North Star Elementary, Kenai,
Alaska, testified in support of SB 52. She stated she is the
board secretary for the Alaska Association of Elementary School
Principals and a parent. She said the legislature should
increase the BSA to compensate for six years of flat funding and
inflation. Heating costs, building maintenance, supplies, and
shipping costs were all negatively impacted by inflation. She
said teacher recruitment and retention is paramount to the
success of Alaska's schools. Teachers are working with less but
doing more as cuts occur, potentially increasing the number of
certified teachers leaving the education field. Teacher burnout
is real. Consistent, stable staffing increases academic progress
and the safety, security, and well-being aspect of schools. The
staff know the students and can identify concerns. Students
deserve an excellent education, and Alaska needs a superb
workforce.
4:52:58 PM
LON GARRISON, Executive Director, Association of Alaska School
Boards (AASB), Juneau, Alaska, testified in support of SB 52. He
stated that AASB's Resolution 2.2 urging early, adequate,
equitable, and predictable funding of public education supports
SB 52. It specifies an increase of no less than $860. AASB just
completed its legislative fly-in and youth advocacy institute.
There were 170 school board members, students, and
superintendents in attendance. Some of the most compelling
testimony came from students who described the loss of learning
opportunities that build a connection to school and their
commitment to learning. He said AASB supports SB 52 for all the
reasons heard.
4:54:31 PM
CHAIR TOBIN held SB 52 in committee.
4:54:53 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Tobin adjourned the Senate Education Standing Committee
meeting at 4:54 p.m.