01/31/2011 08:00 AM Senate EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB3 | |
| SB1 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 3 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 1 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
January 31, 2011
8:02 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Kevin Meyer, Co-Chair
Senator Joe Thomas, Co-Chair
Senator Bettye Davis, Vice Chair
Senator Gary Stevens
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Hollis French
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Senator Cathy Giessel
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 3
"An Act providing for funding for school lunch and breakfast."
- MOVED CSSB 3(EDC) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 1
"An Act requiring the state Board of Education and Early
Development to provide an annual report to the legislature."
- HEARD AND HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 3
SHORT TITLE: FUNDING FOR SCHOOL MEALS
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) WIELECHOWSKI, ELLIS, DAVIS, EGAN, FRENCH,
KOOKESH, MCGUIRE, MENARD, PASKVAN, THOMAS
01/19/11 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/7/11
01/19/11 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/19/11 (S) EDC, FIN
01/28/11 (S) EDC AT 8:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
01/28/11 (S) Heard & Held
01/28/11 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
01/31/11 (S) EDC AT 8:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
BILL: SB 1
SHORT TITLE: BD OF ED./EARLY DEVELOPMENT ANNUAL REPORT
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) DAVIS
01/19/11 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/7/11
01/19/11 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/19/11 (S) EDC, FIN
01/31/11 (S) EDC AT 8:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
WITNESS REGISTER
CHRISTY HARVEY, Staff
Senator Bill Wielechowski
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions on SB 3 on behalf of the
sponsor.
ELIZABETH NUDELMAN, Director
Division of School Finance
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions related to the fiscal
note for SB 3.
LES MORSE, Acting Commissioner
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions related to DEED's neutral
position on SB 3. Commented on SB 1 and offered an alternative
solution.
TOM OBERMEYER, Staff
Senator Bettye Davis
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Read the sponsor statement for SB 1 on
behalf of the sponsor.
JOHN ALCANTRA, Lobbyist
National Education Association of Alaska (NEA-Alaska)
Anchorage, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in supported of SB 1.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:02:39 AM
CO-CHAIR KEVIN MEYER called the Senate Education Standing
Committee meeting to order at 8:02 a.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Stevens, Davis, Co-Chair Thomas, and Co-
Chair Meyer.
SB 3-FUNDING FOR SCHOOL MEALS
8:03:24 AM
CO-CHAIR MEYER announced the consideration of SB 3. He reminded
committee members that [CSSB 3( ), version B was before the
committee.]
8:04:59 AM
CHRISTY HARVEY, Staff to Senator Bill Wielechowski, sponsor of
SB 3, said this is an important bill and a great investment both
for the short and long term effects for Alaska and Alaska
students.
CO-CHAIR MEYER asked what the federal match currently is.
MS. HARVEY answered that currently there is a federal match of
about $32 million and the school outlay is about $58 million.
The remainder of that is partially made up by students who pay
for their meals. There is only about a $2.1 million shortfall
that the schools take out of their operating budgets, she
explained.
CO-CHAIR MEYER asked if there are any concerns about the federal
match going away.
MS. HARVEY answered no; not in the recent past. She explained
that this program usually seems to always have a fairly solid
federal base.
At ease from 8:07 a.m. to 8:09 a.m.
8:09:35 AM
CO-CHAIR MEYER asked Ms. Harvey if she could explain the
difference between the original bill and version B.
MS. HARVEY answered that the original bill states that the
department would provide a base amount of 15 cents for lunch or
35 cents for breakfast. This language, she explained, implied
that a school did not have to do both. However, there was
concerned that this could be challenged or confused by some of
the different school departments. For this reason the language
was changed from "or" to "and" in the CS [page 1, line 8]. This
makes it clearer that schools can apply for both a lunch and
breakfast program.
CO-CHAIR THOMAS asked for confirmation that this is version B.
MS. HARVEY replied yes.
At ease from 8:11 a.m. to 8:14 a.m.
8:14:22 AM
CO-CHAIR MEYER clarified with Ms. Harvey that the committee is
working with CSSB 3( ), version B.
MS. HARVEY replied yes. She reiterated that it was important for
schools to know that both funds could be received. For this
reason the current committee substitute reads: "15 cents for
lunch and 35 cents for breakfast" [page 1, line 8]. Whereas
version M reads: "15 cents for lunch or 35 cents for breakfast".
CO-CHAIR THOMAS asked if that was the way the fiscal note was
prepared.
MS. HARVEY answered yes.
8:15:46 AM
SENATOR STEVENS said that he understands some parents may not
have the financial stability to feed their children before
school and that the state must step in to take on that
responsibility. The problem, however, with regard to the success
of K-12 education in Alaska, is that many students arrive at
college unready to compete. He asked when breakfast is being
served and if it is affecting the educational day.
MS. HARVEY answered that it is her understanding that breakfast
is served before the school day begins. She added that she
believes this program is an enhancement to the education process
and not a distraction.
SENATOR STEVENS asked who supports this bill.
MS. HARVEY answered that all of the school boards, nurses, and
teachers that she has spoken to are in support of SB 3.
SENATOR STEVENS asked what Department of Education and Early
Development's (DEED) stance is.
MS. HARVEY replied that the department has taken a neutral
stance on the bill.
SENATOR STEVENS said he thinks DEED needs to comment. He said he
wants to know why the department is not taking a position on
this bill.
CO-CHAIR THOMAS agreed. He said that if this is such an
important issue, as people have been indicating, it seems the
department would take that position. DEED should at least give
an explanation as to why it has taken a neutral stance.
CO-CHAIR MEYER said that the state currently has a good federal
match if the state contributes the amount laid out in SB 3. His
explained that his concern is if that federal match is taken
away then the duty falls on the state.
8:20:25 AM
SENATOR STEVENS asked why DEED is unwilling to take a stance on
the bill.
ELIZABETH NUDELMAN, Director, Division of School Finance,
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED), answered
that DEED does not have a position on the bill and are here for
technical assistance.
SENATOR STEVENS said this causes him concern and seems to imply
that if DEED is not supporting the bill then it is opposed to
it.
MS. NUDELMAN replied that she does not want the committee to
pick between the two stances for the department's position. She
reiterated that DEED can provide technical assistance and answer
any questions but the department does not have a position on the
bill.
SENATOR STEVENS said that he understands that DEED currently
does not have a commissioner; however, in order to deal with
many of these issues one is needed. He continued that it seems
unacceptable that DEED is unwilling to testify for or against a
bill that affects education so much.
MS. NUDELMAN replied that the department's commissioner will be
on staff this week and she hopes he will be able to speak with
the committee soon. She repeated that she can only give
technical assistance on the bill.
SENATOR STEVENS suggested that, if this is the case, the
committee should hold any issues on education until there is a
commissioner who is ready to speak on the issues that need to be
addressed.
SENATOR DAVIS asked what kind of technical assistance Ms.
Nudelman could provide to the committee.
MS. NUDELMAN answered that DEED prepared the fiscal note for SB
3 and she would be happy to go through it if the committee is
interested.
SENATOR DAVIS replied that this was not necessary. She suggested
that the acting commissioner testify before the committee.
CO-CHAIR MEYER agreed. He suggested that the acting commissioner
speak to the policy side of the bill.
8:25:48 AM
LES MORSE, Acting Commissioner, Department of Education and
Early Development (DEED), said he can only add that this bill is
not in the governor's budget and is a policy decision left in
the hands of the legislature. He stressed that the argument is
not about whether food and nutrition is important or not, the
department is only staying neutral to how the means of that food
is provided.
8:27:39 AM
CO-CHAIR THOMAS moved to report CSSB 3( ), version B from the
committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal
note(s). There being no objection, CSSB 3(EDC) moved from the
Senate Education Standing Committee.
At ease from 8:28 a.m. to 8:29 a.m.
SB 1-BD OF ED./EARLY DEVELOPMENT ANNUAL REPORT
8:29:03 AM
CO-CHAIR MEYER announced the consideration of SB 1.
8:29:26 AM
SENATOR DAVIS, sponsor of SB 1, said this piece of legislation
is important because it gives the legislature an opportunity to
meet with the Board of Education at the beginning of every
session.
8:30:11 AM
TOM OBERMEYER, staff to Senator Davis, sponsor of SB 1, read the
following sponsor statement:
This bill requires that the Alaska State Board of
Education shall prepare and present to the State
Legislature not later than the 30th day of each
regular session an annual report that describes
the efforts of the board to develop, maintain,
and continuously improve a comprehensive quality
public education system as provided for under the
bylaws of the Board.
The report to the Legislature must include:
1. a summary of resolves and rationales
provided in support of policy decisions;
2. program and curriculum changes made,
discussed, or recommended in meetings; and
3. additional information relevant to efforts
made to improve and maintain the public
education system.
This bill is intended to create a greater
dialogue among Alaska legislators, the Department
of Education and Early Development (DEED), and
the Board of Education which meets at least
quarterly. Since Alaska legislators appropriate
over $1 billion per year for state public
education which is a significant portion of the
state budget, they must be at the center of the
state's efforts to identify strengths and
weaknesses of the current system, help determine
a public agenda, set clear goals for K-12 and
higher education, and hold institutions
accountable for performance. The only way to
achieve this is through cooperation and
communication with the Board and the Department.
Legislators take great pride and tremendous
amounts of time and effort every session in
trying to provide the best possible education,
scholarships, and funding for Alaska students.
The annual report required by this bill will
assist both DEED and legislators early in each
session in assessing new programs, curriculum
changes, goals and priorities which may require
more information or administrative and
legislative action during session.
8:32:19 AM
CO-CHAIR MEYER asked whether the Board of Education already
presents to the legislature.
SENATOR DAVIS answered no. The University of Alaska (UA) Board
of Regents has annual reports, but the Board of Education does
not.
CO-CHAIR MEYER asked for confirmation that SB 1 asks for both an
annual report and a presentation.
SENATOR DAVIS replied yes.
SENATOR STEVENS said he thinks this is a good idea and would be
much better than what currently occurs.
CO-CHAIR MEYER agreed. He said that Esther Cox, the president of
the board, has been very cooperative in the past. However, this
bill would formalize the process.
8:34:01 AM
JOHN ALCANTRA, Lobbyist, National Education Association of
Alaska (NEA-Alaska), testified in support SB 1. He said that in
the nine years he has worked with NEA-Alaska, the board has
always been very forthcoming in answering questions and getting
the organization information. However, SB 1 will assist in
making sure that there is more knowledge of what is happening on
the state board level.
8:36:11 AM
LES MORSE, Acting Commissioner, Department of Education and
Early Development (DEED), said the board has a strong interest
in connecting and communicating with the legislature. He
mentioned that the current board chair has requested a joint
meeting with the House and Senate Education Committees in March.
He said that he is always concerned about adding reports and
would like to offer an alternative for the committee's
consideration.
He explained that the board's actions and its rationales are
always laid out in their minutes. Communication could
immediately be improved by including either the co-chairs or the
entire committee on the board's electronic distribution list of
its minutes. The information needed for an annual report would
be lifted directly from these minutes.
He continued that the board meets four times annually, including
a March meeting held intentionally in Juneau so that it has an
opportunity to interact with the legislature. DEED will also do
everything it can to support the board in interacting with the
legislature in that way. He reiterated that the board would also
include the committee on their distribution list for their four
live meetings and two audio meetings.
8:39:12 AM
SENATOR DAVIS said that what the department is offering already
occurs and March is too late to expect to have a meeting with
the committee, especially with a 90-day session. She said that
she wants something that is concrete and will be laid out at the
beginning of the legislative session rather than at the end. She
explained that she has seen the board's minutes and attended
their meetings; however, not all of the committee members
necessarily receive them. The guidelines and regulations for the
report, it seems, would be determined by DEED, as long as it is
completed by the deadline. She explained that the committee does
not need to know everything that takes place, but important
changes and recommendations should be included in a report.
ACTING COMMISSIONER MORSE replied that all of the actions that
she is asking for are contained in those minutes. If the board
had a report it would simply be a restatement of these minutes.
The alternative, he explained, would allow the committee to
receive the board's minutes immediately, rather than waiting
until the session begins.
SENATOR DAVIS said she is interested in more than just a written
report, but also in an oral dialogue. That way, she explained,
the board can share concerns that it might have and would ensure
that oral dialogue would continue in the future.
8:43:42 AM
CO-CHAIR THOMAS said he wants a general consensus from the board
on issues that the legislature should be looking at in order to
improve education, not minutes from meetings.
He explained that the committee receives a lot of comments about
education in Alaska not improving at a very rapid rate or at
all. The report could be used almost like a consultant report,
which suggests areas that need to be improved or changed. He
explained that he is not an expert in education and does not
want to guess at what needs to be done. Rather, he would like
the experts in education to bring things for the committee's
consideration.
SENATOR STEVENS commended Senator Davis on her bill and that it
compares to the bill the committee passed with the University of
Alaska (UA) Board of Regents. He explained that at the time the
committee was only hearing from the president of the university
and it was felt that the committee should hear from the Board of
Regents as well. For this reason the legislature established a
requirement that the Board of Regents submit an annual report on
teacher preparation. He added that this report and face-to-face
time has been extremely valuable.
He asked if the committee could include something in the bill
that would also allow the legislature to meet with the Board of
Education. He continued that SB 1 will establish better
communication, which is lacking right now.
CO-CHAIR MEYER agreed. He pointed out that the current board
president, Esther Cox, has been very accessible and has
communicated well. But, he said, that is not to say that the
next president will be as accessible and as free with
communication. He suggested that the committee draft an
amendment that would deal with Senator Steven's comments.
SENATOR DAVIS said that would be fine. She continued that she
appreciates the work of Esther Cox but gave an example as to why
more face to face time could be helpful. She explained that a
few years ago a letter was sent by the Board of Education to the
commissioner of DEED which stated that it needed to look at
changing or removing the High School Graduation Qualifying Exam.
This letter, she explained, sat for two or three years. When,
later, she drafted a bill that would eliminate the exam she
asked the board if it was aware of this letter. Ms. Cox, who was
president of the board at the time, was not aware of it. She
emphasized that these are the types of things that can get lost.
8:49:49 AM
CO-CHAIR MEYER closed public testimony.
8:50:25 AM
SENATOR STEVENS asked if Senator Davis could review the piece of
legislation that was created for the UA Board of Regents. He
said that this might help in drafting the amendment.
SENATOR DAVIS replied yes.
CO-CHAIR MEYER said that if the change to SB 1 is going to be
small, only an amendment is needed.
SENATOR DAVIS concurred.
8:50:48 AM
CO-CHAIR MEYER held SB 1 in committee.
CO-CHAIR MEYER reminded the committee that the School Board Fly-
In would be held that afternoon and encouraged the committee to
attend.
8:52:26 AM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Co-Chair Meyer adjourned the meeting at 8:52 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| AARP Letter.pdf |
SEDC 1/31/2011 8:00:00 AM |
|
| Druce Letter of Support.pdf |
SEDC 1/31/2011 8:00:00 AM |