Legislature(2007 - 2008)BUTROVICH 205
04/25/2007 01:30 PM Senate HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB119 | |
| SR3 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 119 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SR 3 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
April 25, 2007
1:36 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Bettye Davis, Chair
Senator Joe Thomas, Vice Chair
Senator John Cowdery
Senator Kim Elton
Senator Fred Dyson
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Senator Tom Wagoner
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 119
"An Act establishing a grant program to support public school
libraries."
MOVED SB 119 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 3
Relating to consideration by the Senate of impeachment of James
C. Hayes, University of Alaska regent.
HEARD AND HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 119
SHORT TITLE: SCHOOL LIBRARY GRANTS
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) OLSON
03/14/07 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/14/07 (S) HES, FIN
04/25/07 (S) HES AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SR 3
SHORT TITLE: REQUEST REMOVAL OF REGENT HAYES
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) WAGONER
02/26/07 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/26/07 (S) HES, STA, JUD
04/25/07 (S) HES AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
Denise Liccioli, staff to Senator Olson
Alaska Capitol Building
Juneau, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented SB 119
Cathy Boutin, representing herself
Juneau, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: In support of SB 119
Lynn McNamara, librarian
Scenic Park Elementary
Anchorage, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: In support of SB 119
Barb Bryson, district librarian
City of Valdez
Valdez, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: In support of SB 119
Kari Sagel, representing herself
Sitka, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: In support of SB 119
Charlotte Glover, representing herself
Ketchikan, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: In support of SB 119
Tiki Levinson, representing herself
Delta Junction, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: In support of SB 119
Barbara Nagengast, principal
Spring Hill Elementary School
Anchorage, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: In support of SB 119
Senator Thomas Wagner
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SR 3.
ACTION NARRATIVE
CHAIR BETTYE DAVIS called the Senate Health, Education and
Social Services Standing Committee meeting to order at 1:36:15
PM. All members were present at the call to order.
SB 119-SCHOOL LIBRARY GRANTS
1:37 :24 PM
CHAIR BETTYE DAVIS announced SB 119 to be up for consideration.
DENISE LICCIOLI, staff to Senator Olson, sponsor of SB 119,
explained that the bill will establish a grant program for
public school library acquisitions. Individual school library
budget shortfalls have impacted many libraries across the state;
they must use inter-library loans to participate in reading
programs like Battle of the Books. The program will provide a
means to update atlases and other books that go out of date
quickly and that are necessary for supporting classroom
curriculum standards. The Alaska Association of School
Librarians supports the legislation and suggests funding a $2500
annual grant for larger libraries and a $750 annual grant for
smaller libraries with five or fewer teachers. The bill will
help produce better readers at all grade levels.
1:40:17 PM
CATHY BOUTIN, representing herself, talked about how expensive
books are for school libraries and gave examples of how the bill
could help increase their book, DVD, and periodical stocks.
Online encyclopedias are also important but expensive.
1:43:00 PM
SENATOR ELTON asked if the current bill language would allow for
DVD purchases.
MS. BOUTIN replied that it may have been left out but she could
clarify that with Senator Olson's staff.
SENATOR ELTON remarked that a lot of information comes from
computers nowadays, and asked why there's not a provision in the
bill for computer hardware or operating software.
MS. BOUTIN replied that there were materials provided to the
committee explaining why books are still important for learning.
A lot of information on the internet isn't necessarily accurate.
1:46:05 PM
LYNN MCNAMARA, librarian for Scenic Park Elementary, said that
students don't necessarily have a lot of access to computers in
school; books are more readily available, and are an equalizer
for both rural and urban communities without access to the
internet. Internet information is difficult to sift through, as
well, and accuracy is spotty.
She explained that the materials purchased for libraries are
based on the subjects that students tend to study in certain
levels of school. A study has shown that even people who use the
internet often tend to use books as well. Book information is
accurate and is aimed at students in applicable ways. She then
related a personal story about the differences between book and
internet learning.
1:51:12 PM
BARB BRYSON, Valdez school district librarian, said that the
Alaska Association of School Librarians and the Alaska Library
Association support the bill. There should be an annual grant of
up to $2500 for public school libraries; the bill would parallel
the already existing state-supported libraries. The grant would
help purchase a wide variety of resources to aid in learning.
The average budget for public school libraries in Alaska is low
compared with national averages. She cited the state standards
for library functions, and said that school libraries need
adequate funds to fulfill these duties.
1:54:25 PM
KARI SAGEL, representing herself, said that school libraries are
important for students prepping for standardized testing and
keeping up with curriculum. The book budget has had to be
supplemented with other fundraising methods. Books often focus
on specific topics more often than internet information, and so
are an important part of learning. The implementation of state
standards has created a need for new information and resources,
and for maximum student use materials need to available in the
library although not limited to curriculum subjects.
1:57:15 PM
CHARLOTTE GLOVER, representing herself, said that she runs a
statewide essay program for fulfilling need from different
libraries across the state. Libraries must raise funds for new
books themselves, and there's also a huge strain transferred to
public libraries because of interlibrary loans; kids need to
have access to good reading material.
1:59:33 PM
TIKI LEVINSON, representing herself, said that a solid education
is based on available information in libraries. She referenced
how out of date schools' libraries are, and how materials can
become damaged. Current collections need to be shored up with
additional material.
2:02:40 PM
BARBARA NAGENGAST, principal of Spring Hill Elementary School,
said that libraries are the heart of schools. A key component of
study findings is that school libraries are critical to
producing people who read throughout their lives. Workforce
development is also greatly influenced by teaching kids how to
read. If students are to be well-prepared for life and work,
they need to be good readers.
2:05:35 PM
SENATOR THOMAS moved to report SB 119 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). There
being no objection, the motion carried.
SENATOR ELTON commented that he hoped the committee would go on
to hear the next piece of legislation even without the members
who had to leave, and that he was sorry the subject had reached
the point where the legislature even needs to consider the
resolution. There are other options for the person the bill
addresses, like choosing to step down from his position. He
added that he appreciates the idea behind the bill, and if it's
the only way to resolve the matter he supports it.
SR 3-REQUEST REMOVAL OF REGENT HAYES
2:07:16 PM
CHAIR DAVIS announced SR 3 to be under consideration.
SENATOR WAGONER, sponsor of SR 3, said that Senator Elton has a
lot of the same feelings about the bill as he does. He commented
that he is a graduate of the University of Alaska (UA), and a
lot of students have contacted him about the issue; they have
clearly said that Mr. Hayes should step down from the Board of
Regents.
He went over the language in the sponsor statement, and
explained that ethics should be as important for the UA regents
as they are for legislators. It's important to remove even the
appearance of questionable behavior; Mr. Hayes was indicted in
January 2007, and because he's under investigation should
voluntarily step down from office without having to be pressed
on the matter.
SENATOR WAGONER cited other examples of politicians who have
stepped down from office while under investigation. He clarified
that the SR is not a statement of guilt, but a statement that
Mr. Hayes should step down from the UA board of regents and
remove the appearance of unethical behavior from his public
office. The case means that Mr. Hayes' attention is currently
focused on his personal issues rather than UA matters. Someone
with the time and energy to commit to the regents' duties should
be serving on the board, and not Mr. Hayes.
2:11:41 PM
He explained two items included in a packet provided to the
committee that showed that Mr. Hayes used undue influence for
the actions under investigation, and improper use of the UA
seal. He asked the committee to consider advancing the
resolution at the first available moment.
SENATOR WAGONER added that the fiscal note is premature; it
assumes that the legislature will be meeting in special session,
which won't necessarily be the case. The issue could be handled
for less money, and it won't necessarily take a long time. The
bill is being brought forward to urge Mr. Hayes to step down,
and contact the governor if need be.
2:15:47 PM
SENATOR COWDERY asked if Mr. Hayes is still being reimbursed for
being a regent.
SENATOR WAGONER replied the reimbursement isn't significant.
SENATOR COWDERY asked if Mr. Hayes was paid anything for the
meetings he missed.
SENATOR WAGONER replied he was not; over the past year he missed
over 50 percent of the board meetings.
SENATOR COWDERY asked if Mr. Hayes is under indictment.
SENATOR WAGONER replied that he is.
SENATOR COWDERY asked if a date has been set for the trial.
SENATOR WAGONER replied he believes the trial is set for
September, but may be postponed. He added that the indictment is
ongoing, and has been expanded to include more charges. The
situation is a serious one.
2:18:28 PM
CHAIR DAVIS commented that the bill could not be moved at the
time due to lack of a quorum; it would be re-heard at another
date. She pointed out that the UA has said that people often
miss regent meetings, and it's not in and of itself a reason for
being removed. There are people who think that the governor
should remove the regent, but the attorney general advised her
against it. She added that she was hoping that the matter
wouldn't have to come to an SR, but that it's the proper
process.
SENATOR WAGONER pointed out that Mr. Hayes had a good attendance
record until the indictment came up; his absences started
immediately after. He added that other community boards around
the state have stipulations for member removal after two
subsequent unexcused absences.
2:21:25 PM
SENATOR COWDERY asked if the UA board has that stipulation.
SENATOR WAGONER said that it doesn't; he referenced his own work
with the UA, and said that of all his regent acquaintances, none
have had poor attendance records. A high sense of responsibility
seems to be the norm for regents.
SR 3 was held in committee.
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Davis adjourned the meeting at 2:22:37 PM.
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