SB 57-LITERACY, PUPIL TRANSP, TEACHER NOTICES  8:13:50 AM CHAIR GATTIS announced that the first order of business would be SENATE BILL NO. 57, "An Act relating to parental involvement in education; adjusting pupil transportation funding; amending the time required for employers to give tenured teachers notification of their nonretention; and providing for an effective date." [Before the committee was CSSB 57(FIN).] 8:14:11 AM TIM LAMKIN, Staff, Senator Gary Stevens, Alaska State Legislature, speaking on behalf of the sponsor, Senator Stevens, stated that proposed SB 57 was an effort to increase parental involvement in student literacy skills by the third grade; to change the layoff notification deadline for tenured teachers; and to adjust pupil transportation funding. He declared that the data for student success emphasized the need for parental involvement in order for students to gain proficiency in reading by the third grade. He pointed to the learning tools used by many states, including identification and assessment, intervention with remediation, and policies for retention which were all necessary strategies prior to that age. He explained that the proposed bill would communicate these strategies and information on the importance of early literacy annually to the parents. These communications would include a media campaign with an internet website, as well as local television and advertising programs for better recognition of the importance for literacy proficiency by the third grade. He offered his belief that the lay-off notification date for tenured teachers and the transportation funding for the next three fiscal years also contained in the proposed bill had already been discussed in the committee. 8:18:22 AM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON indicated that a Conceptual Amendment would be offered following the testimony. 8:19:42 AM The committee took an at-ease from 8:19 a.m. to 8:22 a.m. 8:22:14 AM CHAIR GATTIS brought the committee back to order. REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND asked if the committee had already moved a similar pupil transportation bill. CHAIR GATTIS expressed agreement, and reminded the committee that the sponsor had noted that bills similar to sections of proposed SB 57 had already been moved by the committee. 8:23:34 AM CHAIR GATTIS opened public testimony. 8:24:00 AM JOHN ELCANTRA, Representative, National Education Association - Alaska (NEA), said that he represented the 13,000 members of the National Education Association - Alaska. He referred to a letter submitted to the bill sponsor, dated March 18, 2013, which had discussed the notification of tenured teachers [Included in members' packets]. He reported that there was considerable concern from teachers, especially those in the "disciplines of art, music, and counselors, folks that are a little outside the general education mainstream and are a little more worried, rightfully so..." He pointed out that their smaller numbers would allow for non-retention more quickly in the current budget cutting environment. He suggested that a date of April 20, or a few days following the adjournment of the legislature, would be a more appropriate date for non-retention notification to tenured teachers, as school districts would better understand the upcoming budget. He offered a personal anecdote regarding motivation and encouragement by his daughter's music teacher. He declared support by the NEA for proposed SB 57, only suggesting a change of date for notification of non-retention. 8:28:25 AM REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX questioned whether job fairs would also change dates in response to the date change in the proposed bill. MR. ELCANTRA expressed his agreement regarding the job fairs held in Alaska, but he questioned a corresponding change for job fair dates in other states. 8:29:13 AM REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND reiterated that, once education funding had been recognized, an earlier date was better. MR. ELCANTRA expressed agreement that more time for non-retained teachers to pursue their career was better. 8:30:13 AM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER commented that, as there were various interpretations to the length of session, this could affect the aforementioned date. MR. ELCANTRA expressed his agreement. 8:30:40 AM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON directed attention to the aforementioned NEA letter of support included in the members' packets. 8:31:31 AM BRUCE JOHNSON, Executive Director, Alaska Council of School Administrators, stated support by the membership for proposed SB 57 as it would inflation-proof the pupil transportation costs and contracts. He declared support for the early literacy programs, as well. He indicated that school districts often offered contracts and set non-retention dates that worked for the area and in anticipation of legislative funding. He declared the importance for retention of specialists and core teachers through early action. 8:33:40 AM MIKE COONS declared that, if NEA was against something, he supported it. He stated that school administrations already distributed non-retention notices prior to the finalization of the education budget by the legislature. He noted that he was unemployed and knew how to look for other jobs. He declared that job resumes could be withdrawn if a job was available. He declared his support for the date of May 15 in the current version of the proposed bill. 8:35:41 AM CHAIR GATTIS closed public testimony. 8:35:50 AM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON offered Conceptual Amendment 1, which would add language to repeal Section 4 on November 1, 2015. REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON objected for discussion. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON explained that, as there was intention for "statewide coordinated pupil transportation contracts," the Consumer Price Index adjustment would be in effect for the school year, 2015, but this would allow for negotiation of new transportation contracts without any provisions already in place. He added that the sponsor of SB 57 had determined this to be a friendly amendment. 8:37:23 AM REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON declared this to be an important amendment because of the possibility for increasing competition for a statewide pupil transportation contract. REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON removed her objection. 8:38:17 AM CHAIR GATTIS reminded the committee of a prior House Education Standing Committee discussion on transportation, which had agreed to "bridge the gap from now until those bus contracts." 8:38:53 AM REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked for further information regarding a date change from May 15 to April 20. 8:39:03 AM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON suggested that the fiscal note be revised to reflect the date change. 8:39:34 AM There being no further objection to Conceptual Amendment 1, it was adopted. REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX renewed her request for more information regarding the date change. 8:40:10 AM CHAIR GATTIS opened public testimony. DEENA PARAMO, Superintendent, Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, said that the new date stipulated in proposed SB 57 was within the parameters for knowledge of school district funding, and allowed the districts to ensure the best teachers for the following school year. She declared that this date worked for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. 8:42:04 AM REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked whether there were concerns for moving the date earlier in the year, as suggested by the NEA. DR. PARAMO replied that the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District preferred the May 15 date, as it would take a significant amount of time to get contracts prepared by April 20. She reported that the local contribution to the school district was not determined until after the state legislature had made its decisions. CHAIR GATTIS closed public testimony. 8:43:16 AM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON moved to report CSSB 57 (FIN), as amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HCS CSSB 57 (EDC) was moved from the House Education Standing Committee.