Legislature(2009 - 2010)SENATE FINANCE 532
02/27/2009 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB24 | |
| SB25 | |
| SB57 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 24 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 25 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 57 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
February 27, 2009
9:05 a.m.
9:05:16 AM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Stedman called the Senate Finance Committee
meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair
Senator Charlie Huggins, Vice-Chair
Senator Johnny Ellis
Senator Kim Elton
Senator Donny Olson
Senator Joe Thomas
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Lyman Hoffman, Co-Chair
ALSO PRESENT
Weston Eiler, Staff, Senator Bert Stedman; Mary Siroky,
Special Assistant, Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities; Eddy Jeans, Director, School Finance and
Facilities Section, Department of Education and Early
Development; Brenda Taylor, Parent and President,
Accreditation Policy Council, Juneau Community Charter
School, Juneau.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Al Dwyer, Mayor, City of Petersburg; Samuel Shields, Board
Member, Ayaprun Elitnaurvik School Board, and Vice-Chair,
Bethel School Board, Bethel; Mike Fisher, Chief Financial
Officer, Fairbanks North Star School District; Janet
Stokesbury, Chief Financial Officer, Anchorage School
District; Shanna Mall, Principal, Winterberry Charter
School, Anchorage; Kiki Abrahamson, Teacher, Fireweed
Academy, and President, Alaska Charter School Association,
Homer; Todd Hindman, Lead Teacher, Anvil City Science
Academy, Nome.
SUMMARY
SB 24 "An Act naming the bridge over Hammer Slough on
Nordic Drive in Petersburg the Louis Miller
Bridge."
SB 24 was HEARD and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
SB 25 "An Act naming the South Mitkof Island ferry
terminal the Richard 'Dewey' Duvall Ferry
Terminal."
SB 25 was HEARD and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
SB 57 "An Act relating to charter school funding."
SB 57 was HEARD and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
SENATE BILL NO. 24
"An Act naming the bridge over Hammer Slough on Nordic
Drive in Petersburg the Louis Miller Bridge."
9:05:24 AM
WESTON EILER, STAFF, SENATOR BERT STEDMAN, SPONSOR,
explained that SB 24 would honor Louis Miller, an Alaskan
pioneer who contributed a great deal to the community of
Petersburg. He pointed out that under current law (AS
35.40.015) the state may name public works through an act
of the legislature. Since enactment, the authority has been
exercised over forty times, including for the Terry Miller
Legislative Office Building and the Robert B. Atwood
Building.
Mr. Eiler informed the committee that SB 24 would name a
bridge over Hammer Slough in Petersburg after Mr. Miller,
who came to Alaska during the Klondike Gold Rush in 1901.
He worked as a carpenter and oversaw the construction of
the Sons of Norway Hall. He operated a moorage and
warehouse on the site of the present day bridge until his
death in 1955. The City of Petersburg supports the bill.
Co-Chair Stedman referred to the fiscal note of $4,000.
Senator Olson asked if anyone was opposed to the bill. Mr.
Eiler was not aware of anyone who was.
Co-Chair Stedman added that the legislation was a result of
a request from the Petersburg City Council.
9:09:06 AM
Senator Huggins asked if the name had been vetted locally.
Co-Chair Stedman responded that the city council had taken
care of the process.
Senator Thomas confirmed that the same statute was used to
name the Robert B. Atwood Building.
Co-Chair Stedman opened public testimony.
AL DWYER, MAYOR, CITY OF PETERSBURG (testified via
teleconference), told the committee that the Petersburg
City Council unanimously passed the resolution. He spoke
about Louis Miller and the site of the bridge. Mr. Miller's
family was the second family to live south of the Slough.
9:11:09 AM
Co-Chair Stedman noted the complex interrelationships on
the islands. He related that his father had worked for Mr.
Miller. The Sons of Norway Hall was built by Mr. Miller.
Co-Chair Stedman closed public testimony.
SB 24 was HEARD and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
SENATE BILL NO. 25
"An Act naming the South Mitkof Island ferry terminal
the Richard 'Dewey' Duvall Ferry Terminal."
9:12:52 AM
WESTON EILER, STAFF, SENATOR BERT STEDMAN, SPONSOR, told
the committee that SB 25 would honor Richard "Dewey"
Duvall, a proponent of marine transportation and a long-
time active resident of Petersburg, by naming the South
Mitkof Island ferry terminal after him. Mr. Duvall served
on the city council and was a founding board member of the
Inter-Island Ferry Authority (IFA). He was instrumental in
the construction of the ferry terminal at South Mitkof. The
bill would recognize his dedication and contribution to the
community. The City of Petersburg and the IFA support the
legislation.
Co-Chair Stedman noted that Mr. Duvall had passed away
recently.
Co-Chair Stedman opened public testimony.
AL DWYER, MAYOR, CITY OF PETERSBURG (testified via
teleconference), confirmed the Petersburg City Council's
wishes that the ferry terminal be named after Mr. Duvall.
Co-Chair Stedman referred to the fiscal note of #1,200 by
the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
(DOT/PF).
MARY SIROKY, SPECIAL ASSISTANT, DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES, explained that the
money would be for a temporary sign for the temporary
facility. The new sign would be part of the cost of a new
facility.
Co-Chair Stedman asked for a clearer idea of what the
permanent sign would include.
9:16:38 AM
Senator Huggins asked for an explanation of different
requirements for historical versus regular DOT/PF signs.
Ms. Siroky said she would get the information.
Co-Chair Stedman closed public testimony.
SB 25 was HEARD and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
SENATE BILL NO. 57
"An Act relating to charter school funding."
9:17:10 AM
Co-Chair Stedman indicated that there has been interest in
a potential amendment for the legislation.
SENATOR JOE THOMAS, SPONSOR, explained that the legislation
would support school choice and do away with the charter
school penalty. Under the existing school funding law,
charter schools that enroll fewer than 150 students receive
30 to 45 percent less state funding than similar sized
neighborhood schools.
Senator Thomas pointed to two handouts, "The Role of the
'Adjusted Student Count' in School Funding" and "Example
Adjusted Student Count Calculations" (Copies on File) that
help break down the complex formula. There is a dramatic
decrease in funding, around $500,000 to $700,000, when a
charter school's enrollment drops even one student below
150. The count period is the majority of the month of
October; even if a school surpasses the 150 limit by the
end of the count period, the count used is the average
taken over the count period.
Senator Thomas reported that the root of the problem is the
way the foundation formula calculates the "adjusted student
count" for charter schools versus neighborhood schools.
Almost all regular schools have their enrollment adjusted
upward by a formula; a different formula that adjusts
downward is used by charter schools. The multiplier is
explained on the handout "Example Adjusted Student Count
Calculations." The process provides too little money for
charter schools to survive.
Senator Thomas explained that SB 57 funds charter schools
with fewer than 150 students at the same per student rate
as a neighborhood school with 400 students. Charter schools
have to be significantly more efficient than other schools,
but the funding level is manageable. He added that the
legislation contains a one-year hold harmless provision for
charter schools that are either in their first year of
operation or had more than 150 students one year and then
subsequently dropped below that number. The provision
reduces the financial harm to the district from the
unexpected decrease in their student count adjustment. The
bill is supported by the Alaska Association of School
Boards. Many superintendents have testified in support of
the legislation. He listed other sponsors and noted wide
support by legislators.
9:21:38 AM
Co-Chair Stedman asked for more information about the 1.18
multiplier. Senator Thomas replied that there had been
discussions previously considering a range from 1.08 to
1.27. The number selected is a compromise between the two
numbers.
Senator Huggins asked the number of charter schools that
are affected. He pointed out that some schools are not
going to get bigger than 150 students. Senator Thomas
answered that there are four schools in the state at the
borderline count; those schools numbers were not expected
to change dramatically.
Senator Elton acknowledged Senator Huggins' role in solving
the funding issue on an annual basis in the past.
9:24:20 AM
EDDY JEANS, DIRECTOR, SCHOOL FINANCE AND FACILITIES
SECTION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT
(DEED), reported that the legislation would affect four
charter schools.
Mr. Jeans said the formula number 1.18 was arrived at by
running a school of 400 through the formula and dividing it
by the adjusted daily membership (ADM). He referred to the
fiscal note for $714,300 to cover the charter schools that
need stable funding.
Co-Chair Stedman asked for the names of the four schools.
Mr. Jeans listed the schools:
• Effie Kokrine Charter School, Fairbanks
• Juneau Community Charter School
• Fireweed Academy, Home
• Anvil City Science Academy, Nome
Co-Chair Stedman queried the position of on the
legislation. Mr. Jeans answered that DEED was neutral. He
stated that from his point of view as Finance Director, it
made good sense.
9:27:04 AM
Senator Huggins told the committee that losing one student
could cost a charter school hundreds of thousands of
dollars. He called the previous measure draconian. He
thought the proposed legislation was a prudent approach.
Co-Chair Stedman opened public testimony.
SAMUEL SHIELDS, BOARD MEMBER, AYAPRUN ELITNAURVIK SCHOOL
BOARD, AND VICE-CHAIR, BETHEL SCHOOL BOARD, BETHEL
(testified via teleconference), spoke in support of the
legislation. He reported that the Bethel school at one time
had dipped to a 149 student count, resulting in a
substantial decrease in funding. He witnessed the affect of
the decrease on the school. The school was able to recover;
current enrollment is approximately 180 students. However,
there are only 6,000 people in Bethel.
9:30:20 AM
MIKE FISHER, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, FAIRBANKS NORTH STAR
SCHOOL DISTRICT (testified via teleconference), spoke in
support of the legislation. The district is keenly aware of
how the bill will help charter schools provide important
educational choices for families. Fairbanks currently has
three charter schools, with a new one starting next year.
Two of the operating schools and the new school have target
enrollments of about 155 students. This year one of the
schools just missed the average daily membership over the
count period, even though over 150 students ended up
enrolling, which cost the district around $680,000 out of
an expected $1.4 million budget. He said the bill would
help address the catastrophic impact of a school failing to
meet the count threshold. He thought the funding compromise
was fair and provided incentive for schools to get to
targeted enrollments.
JANET STOKESBURY, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, ANCHORAGE SCHOOL
DISTRICT (testified via teleconference), spoke in support
of the legislation. The district views the bill as ensuring
stability for charter schools. They also supported the one-
year held harmless provision.
9:33:13 AM
SHANNA MALL, PRINCIPAL, WINTERBERRY CHARTER SCHOOL,
ANCHORAGE (testified via teleconference), spoke in support
of the bill. She relayed the difficult experience of the
school falling below the cutoff number. People worked 90-
day weeks without pay and the community took risks to
support the school. Staff was severely cut and a deficit of
$180,000 was carried over to the next year. The program and
children's safety were compromised.
9:35:44 AM
BRENDA TAYLOR, PARENT, AND PRESIDENT, ACCREDITATION POLICY
COUNCIL, JUNEAU COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL, JUNEAU, testified
in support of the legislation. She thought the bill solves
many of the concerns of charter schools. She stated that
the Juneau school district supports the bill and the Juneau
charter school, but does not want the charter school to
have enrollment over 150 because of negative impact on
other schools. The Juneau charter school will not survive
without additional funds. They are unable to make the
school accessible to more families due to transportation
limitations.
Co-Chair Stedman acknowledged the presence of 15 students
observing online in Homer.
9:38:29 AM
KIKI ABRAHAMSON, TEACHER, FIREWEED ACADEMY, AND PRESIDENT,
ALASKA CHARTER SCHOOL ASSOCIATION, HOMER (testified via
teleconference), spoke in support of the bill and
introduced her students, who gave a cheer for the finance
committee.
Ms. Abrahamson expressed concerns of the charter school
association about public perception of SB 57 in the current
economic climate. She stressed that the bill was not a
request for add-on funding, but a request to fix a statute
that has handicapped the development of innovative public
charter schools in Alaska and has discriminated against
schools of choice in small and rural communities. In 1992,
the first charter school opened in St. Paul, Minnesota; 16
years later there are over 4500 schools serving 1.3 million
students in 40 states.
9:41:05 AM
TODD HINDMAN, LEAD TEACHER, ANVIL CITY SCIENCE ACADEMY,
NOME (testified via teleconference), spoke in support of
the legislation on behalf of the Academic Policy Committee
of Anvil City Science Academy (ACSA) and the Nome Public
School Board of Education. He stated that a larger charter
school could have an adverse affect on other public
schools. He felt the small size of ACSA is one of its
strengths. Students have a more flexible learning
experience and are more closely connected with the
community.
Co-Chair Stedman closed public testimony.
Senator Huggins noted that the challenge the legislation
was addressing was not just financial. The ripple effect
through a school district when the count goes below the
cutoff is dramatic. He pointed out that alternative schools
have the same challenge.
Co-Chair Stedman referred to an amendment being formed.
SB 57 was HEARD and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
9:45:06 AM
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:44 AM.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Dewey Duvall Graphic.pdf |
SFIN 2/27/2009 9:00:00 AM |
SB 25 |
| Adjusted Student Count.pdf |
SFIN 2/27/2009 9:00:00 AM |
SB 57 |
| per-student rate comparison.xls |
SFIN 2/27/2009 9:00:00 AM |
SB 57 |
| sb 57 sectional analysis.dot |
SFIN 2/27/2009 9:00:00 AM |
SB 57 |
| SB 57 sponsor statement.dot |
SFIN 2/27/2009 9:00:00 AM |
SB 57 |
| school size factor statutes.doc |
SFIN 2/27/2009 9:00:00 AM |
SB 57 |
| SB 24_ Petersburg Resolution.pdf |
SFIN 2/27/2009 9:00:00 AM |
SB 24 |
| SB 24_Fiscal Note.pdf |
SFIN 2/27/2009 9:00:00 AM |
SB 24 |
| SB 24_Louis Miller Bridge Photo.pdf |
SFIN 2/27/2009 9:00:00 AM |
SB 24 |
| SB 24_Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SFIN 2/27/2009 9:00:00 AM |
SB 24 |
| Res_Duvall Terminal.pdf |
SFIN 2/27/2009 9:00:00 AM |
SB 25 |
| Senate Bill 25_Fiscal Note.pdf |
SFIN 2/27/2009 9:00:00 AM |
SB 25 |
| Sponsor Statement_SB 25.pdf |
SFIN 2/27/2009 9:00:00 AM |
SB 25 |
| support letters.pdf |
SFIN 2/27/2009 9:00:00 AM |
SB 57 |
| Tongass School Support.pdf |
SFIN 2/27/2009 9:00:00 AM |
SB 57 |