Legislature(2015 - 2016)BUTROVICH 205
04/07/2015 03:30 PM Senate EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB79 | |
| SB89 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 79 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 89 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 37 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
April 7, 2015
3:32 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Mike Dunleavy, Chair
Senator Charlie Huggins, Vice Chair
Senator Cathy Giessel
Senator Gary Stevens
Senator Berta Gardner
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 79
"An Act relating to reemployment of persons who retire under the
defined benefit plan of the teachers' retirement system."
- MOVED CSSB 79(EDC) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 89
"An Act relating to a parent's right to direct the education of
a child; and relating to questionnaires administered in
schools."
- HEARD & HELD
SENATE BILL NO. 37
"An Act relating to sexual abuse and sexual assault awareness
and prevention efforts in public schools."
- SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 79
SHORT TITLE: REEMPLOYMENT OF RETIRED TEACHERS & ADMIN
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) DUNLEAVY
03/18/15 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/18/15 (S) EDC, CRA
03/26/15 (S) EDC AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/26/15 (S) Heard & Held
03/26/15 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
03/31/15 (S) EDC AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/31/15 (S) Heard & Held
03/31/15 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
04/02/15 (S) EDC AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
04/02/15 (S) Scheduled but Not Heard
04/07/15 (S) CRA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/07/15 (S) EDC AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 89
SHORT TITLE: PARENT RIGHTS: EDUCATION; SCHOOL ABSENCE
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) DUNLEAVY
03/25/15 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/25/15 (S) EDC, STA
03/31/15 (S) EDC AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/31/15 (S) Scheduled but Not Heard
04/02/15 (S) EDC AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
04/02/15 (S) Heard & Held
04/02/15 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
04/07/15 (S) EDC AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
SHEILA PETERSON, Staff
Senator Mike Dunleavy
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Explained Amendment 1 to SB 79.
JOHN BOUCHER, Deputy Commissioner
Office of the Commissioner
Department of Administration
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions related to SB 79.
LISA SKILES PARADY, Executive Director
Alaska Council of School Administrators and
Alaska Superintendents Association
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 79, but against
Amendment 1.
JACK WALSH, Superintendent
Craig School District
Craig, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 79.
CHRIS REITAN, Superintendent
Galena City School District
Galena, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 79, but against
Amendment 1.
PATRICK MAYER, Superintendent
Wrangell Public School District
Wrangell, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 79.
LINCOLN SAITO, Chief Operating Officer
North Slope Borough School District
Barrow, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 79.
BETHANY MARCUM, Staff
Senator Mike Dunleavy
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Explained Amendments 1 and 2 to SB 89.
LINCOLN SAITO, Chief Operating Officer
North Slope Borough School District
Barrow, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified against SB 89.
JON WATTS, representing himself
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 89.
MONICA WATTS, representing herself
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 89.
ALLISON CURRY, Staff
Planned Parenthood
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 89.
TARYN LUSKDEET, representing herself
North Pole, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 89.
DR. BARBARA HANEY, representing herself
North Pole, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 89.
JACK WALSH, Superintendent
Craig City School District
Craig, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified against Amendment 2 in SB 89.
ED GRAY, representing himself
Sitka, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 89, including the
two amendments.
MIKE COONS, representing himself
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 89 and the two
amendments.
RACHELLE SIEBER, representing herself
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 89, including the
amendments.
POISE BOGGS, representing herself
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 89.
SACHA PETTITT, Teacher
Mat-Su Borough School District
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 89.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:32:55 PM
CHAIR MIKE DUNLEAVY called the Senate Education Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:32 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Huggins, Giessel, Gardner, Stevens, and
Chair Dunleavy. He noted that there were three bills before the
committee, all of which have been previously heard.
SB 79-REEMPLOYMENT OF RETIRED TEACHERS & ADMIN
3:33:42 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY announced the consideration of SB 79. The bill
will allow school districts to hire retired educators. He said
this is the third hearing and a committee substitute (CS),
labeled 29-LS0444\E was adopted on 3/31/15.
SENATOR HUGGINS moved to adopt Amendment 1, labeled 29-
LS0444\E.1:
AMENDMENT 1
Page 1, following line 13:
Insert a new subsection to read:
"(c) A school district that reemploys a member
under this section who is retired under the defined
benefit retirement plan established in AS 14.25.009 -
14.25.220 is required to make contributions under
AS 14.25.070."
Page 3, following line 2:
Insert a new bill section to read:
"* Sec. 5. AS 14.25.070(a) is amended to read:
(a) Each employer shall contribute to the system
every payroll period an amount calculated by applying
a rate of 12.56 percent to the total of all base
salaries paid by the employer to active members of the
system and to members who are retired from the plan
and reemployed under AS 14.20.136, including any
adjustments to contributions required by
AS 14.25.173(a)."
Renumber the following bill section accordingly.
Page 3, line 6:
Delete "and"
Page 3, line 7, following "Act,":
Insert "and AS 14.25.070(a), as amended by sec. 5
of this Act,"
CHAIR DUNLEAVY objected for discussion.
SHEILA PETERSON, Staff, Senator Mike Dunleavy, Alaska State
Legislature, explained that Amendment 1 came as a result of a
discussion between the sponsor and the Department of
Administration. It requires school districts, when they hire a
retired educator, to continue to pay the 12.56 rate toward the
teacher retirement system, as if the educator was an active
employee. This will prevent a drain on the Teacher Retirement
System funds.
She noted that Amendment 1 is found in two sections in the bill:
Page 1, following line 13:
Insert a new subsection to read:
• Requires a school district that reemploys a retired
educator to contribute to the Teacher Retirement
System at a rate of 12.56 percent of the educator's
salary.
Page 3, following line 2:
Insert a new bill section to read:
• Adds to current statutory language that an employer
shall contribute to the Teacher Retirement System an
amount of 12.56 percent of a retired and re-employed
educator's salary.
• The contribution rate is the same as applied to
active members of the system.
Page 3, line 6 and Page 3, line 7:
• Conforming language
3:37:12 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY explained that the bill adds tools for school
districts to expand a pool of educators and save costs. The
discussion was about who pays into retirement. There was concern
about the number of teachers who might want to retire and then
get rehired under a special contract.
JOHN BOUCHER, Deputy Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner,
Department of Administration, answered questions related to SB
79. He explained that the concern was that when there is a new
large pool of retired workers who are not subject to regular
contributions, the overall contributions to the retirement
system would go down proportionately. It would end up shifting
costs to the state. He said having the districts pay 12.56
percent into retirement is a solution.
3:39:48 PM
SENATOR STEVENS requested clarification. He gave an example of a
person who retires and goes back to teaching and is no longer
drawing more from the retirement system. He suggested that
having the district pay the 12.56 percent into the retirement
fund is an additional burden for the district.
MR. BOUCHER clarified that educators who would have had covered
wages are being replaced by educators with uncovered wages. The
overall pool of retirement contributions is diminished and could
shift costs to the unfunded liability.
SENATOR STEVENS understood the situation, but saw it as unfair
to districts.
SENATOR GARDNER summarized that there is no direct impact to the
employee, nor department, nor student, but there is a cost to
the district in order to help with the underfunded liability of
the retirement system.
MR. BOUCHER agreed and added that the districts save by not
having to pay insurance benefits.
SENATOR GARDNER concluded that it also reduces the eagerness of
the district to look for retirees that they can rehire, but it
keeps open the option of hiring a qualified, experienced retired
educator at some savings.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY added that the savings is less than 12.56
percent.
3:43:12 PM
SENATOR HUGGINS spoke of the various retirement tiers that may
retire soon.
MR. BOUCHER said when you remove long-time teachers, there is
more of an impact on payroll savings.
SENATOR HUGGINS what is true today is less true every year due
to fewer Tier I and Tier II retirees.
He asked if a retiree receives any longevity benefits from being
rehired.
MR. BOUCHER said no.
SENATOR HUGGINS asked if the retirement benefits remain the same
for rehirees.
MR. BOUCHER said yes.
SENATOR HUGGINS mentioned retirement incentives and this new
program.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY provided an example of a teacher who retired and
then was offered a contract by Department of Education and Early
Development (DEED). There have been district incentives in the
past that have been offered, but there are no incentives under
SB 79.
3:48:13 PM
MR. BOUCHER confirmed that it is not a factor in this bill.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY stated that the state gets a 12.5 percent cut to
go along with this plan. It is much less expensive for districts
to hire a retiree.
SENATOR GARDNER asked if the teacher continues to receive
retirement benefits during the time they are on contract. She
asked if it makes for a larger imbalance in the unfunded
liability if they have retired sooner than planned, had the
contract not been an option.
MR. BOUCHER said it would if that becomes a trend. He opined
that the 12.5 percent will offset that situation. He said you
are replacing wages with benefits, with wages that do not
receive benefits.
3:51:58 PM
SENATOR STEVENS liked the idea behind the bill. He did not see
the plan as someone working as a full-time teacher retiring and
then working full time. He provided as an example one of his
favorite professors. He saw the plan as part-time or short-term
teaching positions. He opined that school boards lose under the
12.56 percent scenario and the "system" wins; he did not see the
equity there.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY provided an extreme example. He restated the
intent to provide a tool that does work for the district to
provide economic relief. He said the bill is a result of his
experience with the mentor project where experienced teachers
give back to education.
SENATOR GARDNER said that is a new way of looking at the bill.
She thought it was a tool to provide teachers for hard-to-fill
positions, not a cost savings measure.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY said it is for both.
SENATOR GARDNER asked if the wage scale would be the same in a
rehire contract as it would be in a regular teaching contract.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY said the mentor program had a set amount of pay
that had no relationship to a district's pay scale.
3:57:01 PM
SENATOR GARDNER asked if districts are taking up 12.5 percent of
the costs, whether they are coming out even.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY provided an example to show that a district would
save money and get the benefit of a teacher's experience, and
teachers would also benefit by teaching in a place they want to
teach.
SENATOR GARDNER asked if school districts would be commenting on
Amendment 1 to SB 79. She gave an example of a teacher who
currently teaches, retires, and continues to teach in the same
district.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY said the bill would not prohibit that.
SENATOR STEVENS stated if there was a sound retirement system,
Alaska would not have this problem. If the retirement system
would have been well-managed, this bill would not be needed.
MR. BOUCHER thought it was a reasonable statement. He said the
department is doing its best not to add to the unfunded
liability.
4:00:29 PM
SENATOR HUGGINS recalled a .49 limitation for rehires.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY explained that currently, an individual that
retires can come back and work at a .49 position and collect
retirement benefits. They can work full time on contract without
benefits.
SENATOR HUGGINS commented on the advantages proposed in SB 79.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY agreed.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY removed his objection and Amendment 1 was
adopted.
He opened public testimony.
4:02:16 PM
LISA SKILES PARADY, Executive Director, Alaska Council of School
Administrators and Alaska Superintendents Association, testified
in support of SB 79, but not Amendment 1. She commented on the
staggering shortage of teachers and administrators in Alaska.
She maintained that it would be better to have the bill with the
amendment than for the bill to not pass at all.
SENATOR GARDNER asked whether the amendment provides any cost
savings to districts. She also asked if there is any concern
about unanticipated consequences from people retiring early,
when they otherwise wouldn't have, to take advantage of this
option.
MS. SKILES PARADY said the concern for unanticipated
consequences was part of the discussion with the Department of
Administration. It is educators' perspective that retirement is
a very serious decision. Also, there is a one-year break
requirement before rehiring takes place.
Regarding cost savings, she noted that each district will be
different and have different needs. She termed the retirees "at
will employees" that do not take from, or add to, the retirement
system. She opined that the amendment would reduce cost savings
to districts.
4:08:08 PM
SENATOR STEVENS understood that the bill is a tool that appears
to be a great way for districts to save.
JACK WALSH, Superintendent, Craig School District, testified in
support of SB 79. He believed that the bill has many positive
benefits, however, he suggested that the bill would eliminate
some of the savings allowed for the .49 employees. The cost
savings for teachers would be good for districts and there are
advantages to hiring retirees. He spoke of hiring educators who
have expertise to fill gaps in the district.
4:11:54 PM
CHRIS REITAN, Superintendent, Galena City School District,
testified in support of SB 79, but not of the amendment. He
concurred with the comments by Ms. Skiles Parady. He said he
would like to see retired educators with Alaskan experience
working in schools during these challenged economic times. He
said he would rather not see the amendment, but approves the
bill as a whole.
4:14:01 PM
PATRICK MAYER, Superintendent, Wrangell Public School District,
testified in support of SB 79. He concurred with the two
previous testifiers that they would rather have the amended
version of SB 79 than no bill at all. He saw the need for the
bill due to the shortage of teachers in Alaska, especially in
rural Alaska. He said hiring from a pool of experienced staff
will be important to his district. He also saw the incentive for
the retiree to be able to continue to work.
SENATOR STEVENS referred to the disadvantages from the .49
provision previously mentioned. He asked if Wrangell has any
experience with that.
MR. MAYER said there was only one instance of that in his
district. He said he wants to encourage new teachers to come to
Wrangell. He didn't see it as being a huge deterrent, noting
it's a case by case situation.
4:18:07 PM
LINCOLN SAITO, Chief Operating Officer, North Slope Borough
School District, testified in support of SB 79. He said the bill
is less attractive with the amendment, but still attractive. Not
having to pay health insurance would save the district 25
percent of a person's salary. He said they want a larger pool to
select from because they are having trouble filling 9 positions
after going to 5 job fairs. He stressed the need for good
teachers for their students.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY closed public testimony.
He noted a fiscal note is forthcoming. He wished to move the
bill.
SENATOR HUGGINS commented that the bill has more merits than
negatives and will provide a pool of educators for Alaska.
4:21:59 PM
SENATOR HUGGINS moved to report CS for SB 79, as amended, from
committee with individual recommendations and a forthcoming
fiscal note.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY announced that without objection, CSSB 79(EDC) is
reported from the Senate Education Standing Committee.
4:22:18 PM
At ease
SB 89-PARENT RIGHTS: EDUCATION; SCHOOL ABSENCE
4:25:34 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY announced the consideration of committee
substitute for SB 89, version 29-LS0735\P, noting that it was
adopted on 4/2/15.
SENATOR HUGGINS moved to adopt Amendment 1, labeled 29-
LS0735\P.1:
AMENDMENT 1
Page 1, line 9, following "(1)":
Insert "recognizing the authority of and"
Page 1, line 11, following "(2)":
Insert "recognizing the authority of and"
Page 1, line 12:
Delete "performance standard,"
Page 2, line 4:
Delete "one month"
Insert "six weeks"
Delete "performance standard,"
Page 2, line 7:
Delete "performance standard,"
Page 2, line 8, following "(4)":
Insert "recognizing the authority of and"
Page 2, line 9:
Delete "performance standard,"
Page 2, line 15:
Delete "performance standard,"
Page 2, line 20:
Delete "performance standards,"
Page 2, line 22:
Delete "performance standard,"
Page 2, line 25, following "each":
Insert "separate"
Page 2, line 25:
Delete "performance standard,"
CHAIR DUNLEAVY objected for discussion purposes.
BETHANY MARCUM, Staff, Senator Mike Dunleavy, Alaska State
Legislature, read the explanation for Amendment 1:
Replace "allowing" with "recognizing the authority of
and allowing" on lines 9 and 11 of page 1, and line 8
of page 2 to reinforce that parental rights are
inherent.
Remove the phrase "performance standard" in 8 places
and keep it in 1 place to clarify awkward syntax.
Replace "one month" with "six weeks" on line 4 of page
2 to give school districts a more flexible duration of
time for collecting permission from parents.
Add the word "separate" on line 25 of page 2 for
clarity.
4:28:26 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY asked if anyone had any questions.
4:28:46 PM
At ease
4:30:10 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY reconvened the meeting.
MS. MARCUM noted that the word "allowing" is the only major
change in the bill.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY removed his objection and Amendment 1 was
adopted.
4:31:21 PM
SENATOR HUGGINS moved to adopt Amendment 2, labeled 29-
LS0735\P.2:
AMENDMENT 2
Page 1, line 1:
Delete "and"
Page 1, line 2, following "school":
Insert "; prohibiting a school district from
contracting with an abortion services provider; and
prohibiting a school district from allowing an
abortion services provider to furnish course materials
or provide instruction concerning sexuality or
sexually transmitted diseases"
Page 3, following line 1:
Insert a new bill section to read:
"* Sec. 2. AS 14.03.083 is amended by adding a new
subsection to read:
(e) A school district and an educational services
organization that has a contract with a school
district may not contract with an abortion services
provider."
Renumber the following bill section accordingly.
Page 2, following line 16:
Insert a new bill section to read:
"* Sec. 5. AS 14.30.360 is amended by adding a new
subsection to read:
(c) A school district may not permit an abortion
services provider or an employee or volunteer of an
abortion services provider to offer, sponsor, furnish
course materials, or provide instruction relating to
human sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases."
CHAIR DUNLEAVY objected.
BETHANY MARCUM explained that Amendment 2:
Would prevent abortion service providers from
contracting with school districts and educational
service organizations.
Would prohibit abortion service providers from
supplying materials to school districts on human
sexuality and sexually transmitted diseases.
Abortion services providers would not be permitted to
provide instruction on sexually transmitted diseases
and sexuality to school districts.
4:32:30 PM
SENATOR GARDNER asked if would make more sense to tell a school
district what issues they are allowed to address so they don't
authorize materials that contravene those issues. She suggested
that a religious organization might provide materials that might
be objectionable, in principle, under this amendment. She
emphasized that the issue is not who provides the materials, it
is the material being provided. She concluded that the
underlying interest is in having control over what kind of
materials and information are provided.
She asked if that is correct.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY said yes, but also not having industry
representatives in the school.
SENATOR GARDNER asked if the objection is to the industry or the
materials.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY said the objection is to the message in the
school for a captive audience. He said parents believe their
kids are going to school to learn the Three R's. He wants to
have discussions regarding certain topics at home, not in
school. He opined that school is not an appropriate venue for
this topic or industry.
SENATOR GARDNER asked what happens if it were a condom
manufacturer or birth control pharmaceutical company providing
information about sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY said it is a good question.
4:35:30 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL said they are talking about an industry coming
into schools to market a product to a captive audience. She
thought the same philosophy would apply to other companies.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY said the topic is not shared by all parents of
the captive audience.
SENATOR GARDNER maintained that it is not about the marketing of
the product, which is not addressed by the language in the
amendment, it is about the provider. She opined, given the
strong language about options for parents to withdraw or not
have children participate in any instruction concerning
sexuality or sexually transmitted disease, and parents' right to
review the materials beforehand, this language is not needed. A
parent who has concerns can opt out.
She stated that the amendment clearly is targeted for one
particular organization. If you object to the organization,
that's one thing, but a bunch of different organizations might
provide objectionable material for any number of reasons.
Parents already have every opportunity to know what is happening
and when it is happening and can choose to not provide active
consent.
4:37:53 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL referred to page 1, line 2, where it discusses
contracting with a provider who provides medical service and
promoting the medical services to minors. That would require
parental consent. She concluded that medical intervention is
being discussed.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY added, in some ways, we don't know what is being
discussed. He said that he and others feel that schools are not
an appropriate place for this industry's marketing. Kids need to
learn content in schools. There is not enough time to do
everything and some things should not be happening in schools.
4:40:19 PM
SENATOR GARDNER suggested saying schools may not provide
materials or instruction about sexuality and sexually
transmitted diseases at all.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY asked if Senator Gardner is offering an
amendment.
SENATOR GARDNER said no. She opined that there are times when
that information should be available to students, such as from
school nurses. There is an appropriate time to discuss those
issues. She emphasized that the subtext of what has been
proposed is that those topics do not belong in schools and the
focus should be on reading, writing, and arithmetic.
SENATOR HUGGINS spoke of schools needing written permission from
parents for school nurses to dispense aspirin. He submitted that
school staff should not act as medical practitioners. This bill
reinforces that.
SENATOR GIESSEL stated that there is a distinct difference
between an educator in the school and an individual from outside
the school who works for a company or industry and promotes
their business and industry. The bill attempts to address that
in science class a teacher in presents unbiased facts and the
school would inform parents of controversial issues and there
would be a consent procedure.
4:44:01 PM
SENATOR GARDNER stated that Amendment 2 is about keeping Planned
Parenthood out of schools. She argued, "If you want students to
not be provided information on materials about sexuality or
about sexually transmitted diseases in schools, then just say
that. If you want the material to comply to the unbiased and
approved, say that. If you want parents to know about it and
give written permission for it, the bill already does that, with
or without this amendment." She stated that she does not see any
point to the amendment.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY said it was a good discussion.
SENATOR HUGGINS suggested there should be a separation of
Planned Parenthood and school.
SENATOR GARDNER said that is a different discussion. If the goal
is to prevent outsiders, or un-vetted material, or biased
material, many organizations could be listed without really
capturing what you want. What you want is that the material is
approved, not unbiased, and provided by qualified, competent
people, she said.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY said it was a good discussion. He removed his
objection to Amendment 2.
SENATOR GARDNER objected.
A roll call vote was taken. Senators Stevens, Huggins, Giessel,
and Dunleavy voted in favor of adopting Amendment 2 to SB 89,
and Senator Gardner voted against it. Therefore, Amendment 2 was
adopted by a 4 to 1 vote.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY opened public testimony.
4:47:28 PM
LINCOLN SAITO, Chief Operating Officer, North Slope Borough
School District, testified against SB 89. He said it encroaches
on the local school board's rights. People from the Regional
Corporation and non-profit corporations are welcome to come into
the schools to speak to students and do demonstrations and
surveys. It is the local school district's right to control who
goes into schools. He also objected to requiring written
permission for surveys.
4:49:37 PM
At ease
4:49:56 PM
JON WATTS, representing himself, testified in support of SB 89.
He said he is a member of a group called Alaskans Against the
Common Core. He spoke of privacy rights of parents and
opposition to the sharing of data by districts with outside
organizations.
4:52:27 PM
MONICA WATTS, representing herself, testified in support of SB
89. She voiced concern about Department of Education and Early
Development (DEED) restrictions on parents to make decisions
concerning their children.
4:53:36 PM
ALLISON CURRY, Staff, Planned Parenthood, testified in
opposition to SB 89. She said, as a reproductive health care
provider and a sexual health educator, Planned Parenthood sees
the devastating effects of sexual abuse and sexually transmitted
infections every day. While the bill appears to be about
parental rights, it does have dangerous consequences that put
the health and future of youth at risk, especially youth with
absent or disengaged parents. Parental involvement in their
children's education is vital and it should be encouraged.
However, Alaska has a child sexual abuse rate that is six times
higher than the national average. Alaska also continues to lead
the nation with the highest sexually transmitted infection (STI)
rates. Teens are at the highest rates for infection. In 2013, 63
percent of new cases of chlamydia were in 15 to 19 year-olds.
MS. CURRY said we should be working together to ensure that
Alaska youth has the resources and information they need to lead
healthy and productive lives. She opined that SB 89 does the
opposite of that. The bill would affect access not only to
sexual health education, but also extends to education on sexual
assault and awareness like in Erin's Law.
She said that Planned Parenthood does work closely with some
schools, community organizations, and other social service
agencies in Alaska to provide a variety of educational
opportunities that are tailored for each community. Subjects
that Planned Parenthood teaches are prevention, healthy
relationships, consent, values and boundaries, as well as
pregnancy prevention. By targeting providers of a safe and legal
service, who are also qualified providers of sexual health
education, this bill is cutting Alaska students off from the
education and information they need to make smart choices about
their health. Comprehensive sex education has consistently
proven to delay the onset of sexual activity and lower rates of
STI's, as well as lower teen pregnancy rates. She concluded that
we cannot afford to limit access to the tools that kids need to
make healthy choices. She asked the committee to consider the
health and safety of all Alaskan youth and pull SB 89 from
consideration.
SENATOR GARDNER asked about chlamydia and teen pregnancy rates
in Alaska.
MS. CURRY said Alaska has twice the national average for
chlamydia rates, and higher rates than that in some areas. She
said she would have to follow up with teen pregnancy rate
information.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY asked how long Planned Parenthood has been in
Alaska.
MS. CURRY replied that it has been in Juneau since June 2009,
but she did not know how long it has been in the state.
SENATOR GARDNER asked what the consequences of untreated,
undiagnosed chlamydia are.
MS. CURRY said infertility is the direst impact. Chronic pelvic
pain is another. She noted that chlamydia is asymptomatic, which
is an issue.
4:58:23 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL said despite Planned Parenthood's efforts,
chlamydia is rising. She said she has seen the undercover videos
of Planned Parenthood, which document inappropriate advice. She
asked if it was an issue for Planned Parenthood Northwest.
MS. CURRY asked for an example of the evidence.
SENATOR GIESSEL said there were many examples, such as underage
females being told not to disclose their age and abortion
advice.
MS. CURRY said Planned Parenthood has a strict requirement for
reporting sexual abuse of underage girls and no one would
instruct a young girl to keep that to herself. She pointed out
that Planned Parenthood is not at liberty to promote abortion.
The health care staff provides all pregnancy options and it is
up to the patient to make that decision. They abide by Alaska
state law regarding minors and notify parents if a minor were to
request abortion services.
5:01:25 PM
TARYN LUSKDEET, representing herself, testified in support of SB
89. She said she is a part of the IDEA Action Group and a member
of Alaskans Against the Common Core. She said she helped work on
a version of the bill, which would affirm parents' natural
rights. She did not think it was intended, but one version of
the bill puts parameters on parents' rights. Parental rights
trump local school boards' rights. She suggested changes to the
bill, such as Department of Education and Early Development
(DEED) shall recognize the natural rights of parents to direct
the education of their children.
5:06:02 PM
DR. BARBARA HANEY, representing herself, testified in support of
SB 89. She spoke strongly of parents' rights. She testified in
favor of the amendments. She spoke of a case in Oregon related
to Planned Parenthood where a teacher was fired. She said the
Planned Parenthood curriculum ties to the Common Core standards.
SENATOR GARDNER asked how the national sexuality standards are
tied to Common Core. She understood that Common Core standards
deal with language arts and math only.
DR. HANEY said that embedded in those standards is something
called "informational text." Planned Parenthood put together a
reading curriculum that is tied to the informational text in the
school district and they tie into the Common Core. She said
other providers use informational text that are keyed to Alaska
standards through the Common Core standards.
SENATOR GARDNER suggested that those materials have more to do
with curriculum, but not standards.
DR. HANEY spoke of the Medicaid expansion curriculum.
5:12:51 PM
JACK WALSH, Superintendent, Craig City School District,
testified against Amendment 2. He was hoping the providers would
be defined so that the helpers who come into the school would
not be banned. He said he does not wish to eliminate skilled
providers from talking to kids about important issues.
SENATOR GARDNER asked Mr. Walsh and other school districts what
the impact of all the provisions in the bill would be; the cost
of providing notice and tracking permission slips, the validity
of test results, particularly when they are used to measure
student progress and to evaluate teachers. She asked if there
were concerns about distorted data if parents pull their
children out of testing and about the overall impact on student
education and cost.
MR. WALSH said the Craig district is unique in that it serves
300 in Craig and 300 students across the state in a
correspondence program. If too many parents opt out on
assessments or surveys, the district doesn't get a good picture
of the school's climate or connectedness as a small district. He
added that mailing costs would be significant.
5:17:11 PM
ED GRAY, representing himself, testified in support of SB 89,
including the two amendments. He shared his experience with the
abortion industry. He said they have students make bad
decisions. He asked the legislature to help protect his
children.
5:20:52 PM
MIKE COONS, representing himself, testified in support of SB 89
and the two amendments. He spoke in favor of parental control
regarding education. He spoke against a variety of other
subjects taught.
5:23:56 PM
RACHELLE SIEBER, representing herself, testified in support of
SB 89, including the amendments. She spoke in favor of parental
rights and against Planned Parenthood. She recommended the
undercover program called Live Action.
5:25:35 PM
POISE BOGGS, representing herself, testified in opposition to SB
89. She questioned the wording in Section 1 regarding test
assessments. She question whether Section 1 would require
teachers to show parents the content of the tests, which isn't
allowed.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY said the intent is not to have anyone breech
protocols or test security.
MS. BOGGS asked where the intent is.
MS. MARCUM said Legislative Legal chose the language because it
is consistent with tests that are not measured by teachers.
5:29:07 PM
SACHA PETTITT, Teacher, Mat-Su Borough School District,
testified in support of SB 89. She suggested a correction to the
language to allow parents' natural rights. She pointed out that
parents' opting out indicates a need for a revision in the
curriculum.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY held SB 89 in committee.
5:31:41 PM
There being nothing further to come before the committee, Chair
Dunleavy adjourned the Senate Education Standing Committee at
5:31 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| 9. CS for SB 79 Amend re 12.56 percent.pdf |
SEDC 4/7/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 79 |
| 10. CS for SB 79 Explanation of Amend.pdf |
SEDC 4/7/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 79 |
| CS for SB 89 Amendment #1.pdf |
SEDC 4/7/2015 3:30:00 PM SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 89 |
| CS for SB 89 Explanation of Amend #1.pdf |
SEDC 4/7/2015 3:30:00 PM SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 89 |
| CS for SB 89 Explanation of Amend #2.pdf |
SEDC 4/7/2015 3:30:00 PM SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 89 |
| CS for SB 89 Amendment #2.pdf |
SEDC 4/7/2015 3:30:00 PM SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 89 |
| 14. SB 37 - School Curriculum.pdf |
SEDC 4/7/2015 3:30:00 PM SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 37 |
| 15. SB 37 - Anchorage Parent Information.pdf |
SEDC 4/7/2015 3:30:00 PM SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 37 |
| 16. SB 37 - Fairbanks Erin's Policy.pdf |
SEDC 4/7/2015 3:30:00 PM SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 37 |
| 17. SB 37 - OCS Child Sexual Abuse Stats FY14.pdf |
SEDC 4/7/2015 3:30:00 PM SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 37 |