Legislature(2019 - 2020)DAVIS 106
02/26/2020 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB236 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 236 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 236-INCREASE BASE STUDENT ALLOCATION
8:05:42 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND announced that the only order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 236 "An Act relating to education;
increasing the base student allocation; and providing for an
effective date."
8:06:14 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY, as prime sponsor, presented HB 236. She
explained that the bill would increase the Base Student
Allocation (BSA), which is a key element in determining funding
levels for schools in Alaska. She noted that the bill includes
funding for two years, the first is an increase of $115 in FY
21, and the second is an increase of $110 in FY 22. She
explained that the latter is calculated at 2.25 percent for
inflation. She indicated that this bill recognizes the increase
in costs for schools that includes healthcare, fuel oil, school
supplies, utilities, and equipment. She suggested that without
the increase in the proposed legislation, schools will be
subject to $30 million reduction in funding. She predicted that
such a cut would result in loss of teachers, counselors, health
aides, gifted and talented programs, Career and Technical
Education (CTE) or other essential programs. She asserted that
Alaska schools are facing an educational crisis comprised of
non-competitive teacher salaries and retirement benefits, budget
cuts, a need for reading improvements, and the need to address
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) among students. She
suggested that strong economies in the Lower 48, when compared
with Alaska's financial difficulties, have enabled other states
to invest in education, while Alaska is restrained from doing
so. She suggested that passage of this bill would result in an
increase in certainty in school funding, which would allow
stakeholders to focus on teaching and learning. She suggested
that certainty in funding allows for efficiency and increase in
return on investment in education. She claimed that, once
adjusted for inflation, the current spend is on par with
education spend in 1988. She suggested that U.S. Census data
suggests that Alaska spends disproportionately more on
education; however, when adjusted for cost of living and taking
into consideration other unique attributes, Alaska is in the
median for education spending, on a per-student basis. She
noted areas of importance in education in Alaska include
progress in reading, reasonable class sizes, hands-on learning
materials, relevant CTE coursework, and a culture of learning
and should not include a steady undercutting of capacity and
resources. She postulated that building a high-quality
education system is a wise investment in the state's people and
its future. She encouraged all stakeholders to contribute to
the discussion around this legislation.
8:11:03 AM
MARY HAKALA, Staff, Representative Andi Story, Alaska State
Legislature, presented HB 236 on behalf of the prime sponsor.
She outlined the contents of the committee packet including the
sponsor statement, the bill itself, and sectional analysis which
explains statutory changes proposed by HB 236.
MS. HAKALA drew attention to packet insert that depicts
historical BSA and funding outside of the formula, the latter
provided by the Department of Education & Early Development
(DEED). She noted that the last line on the "Foundation
Funding" chart has a typographical error and should read
$28,581.7 - not $29,581.7. She stated that the data suggests
over the last 19 years, every year except for 2018 received an
increase in the BSA, or a one-time funding, or both in response
to increased costs. She suggested that given the frequency of
one-time funding, it may be misleading to view it as such.
8:13:43 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON asked what the total increase amount
would be.
8:14:08 AM
MS. HAKALA explained that the $30 million amount is an estimate
based on projections for FY 21, and in FY 22 an increment
increase is projected to total $28,581,700, with the increment
"rolled in" to the BSA, it would bring the total to $58,462,600
because the bill consists of two steps, FY 21 and FY 22 BSA
increases.
8:15:13 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON asked to confirm that the total added
cost is approximately $60 million.
MS. HAKALA confirmed that in the second year, the increase would
be approximately $58 million [higher] than FY 20.
8:15:35 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ZULKOSKY characterized the inflation adjusted
rate of funding at 1988 level as "sobering". She asked if any
consideration has been given to implementing inflation-proofing
so that BSA is not relegated to "a political football" each
year.
8:16:47 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY indicated that this bill adjusts the BSA to
inflation proof the two years named in the bill, and although
districts have indicated that they desire inflation proofing for
the long term, this bill does not address that. She suggested
that a Foundation Formula study be undertaken, and that the two
years of [stabilized] funding could provide opportunity to plan
and execute such a study to determine more precisely the funding
needs of schools.
8:18:10 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND reflected upon the two most recent prior
fiscal years, with $20 million and $30 million respectively
appropriated outside of the Foundation Formula and that were
subject to governor veto and resulted in litigation to compel
distribution of the funds. She asked whether schools are
receiving funds timely this year, and whether, if this
legislation fails to pass, it will result in a cut of $30
million outside of the Foundation Formula. She asked whether
failure of this legislation would jeopardize $30 million in
future funding.
8:19:15 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY referred Co-Chair Drummond to confirm with
representatives of DEED on her question of timing of release of
funds this year.
8:19:43 AM
HEIDI TESHNER, Director, Finance and Support Services Division,
Department of Education & Early Development, testified that the
$30 million one-time funding for current year was distributed to
districts in approximately January 2020.
8:19:59 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND asked whether the funds were distributed in a
lump sum or in installments.
MS. TESHNER affirmed that funds were distributed in a lump sum.
8:20:11 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS asked what the schedule is for BSA
distribution for districts.
MS. TESHNER explained that the statutory requirement is that
funds be received by districts by the fifteenth of the month,
and DEED processes payments so that they disburse on or before
the fifteenth of each month.
8:20:38 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS asked whether the monthly installment
schedule was based on a nine, or a twelve, month cycle.
MS. TESHNER affirmed a twelve-month cycle.
8:20:57 AM
MS. HAKALA referred to fiscal note HB236-EED-FP-2-20-20, which
informs that the funds are appropriated to the Public Education
Fund, from which Foundation Formula payments are made. She drew
attention to the packet insert chart developed by Legislative
Finance Division comparing per student inflation adjusted
funding from FY 88 to present, showing no increase in inflation
adjusted per student funding. She referred to packet insert
produced by DEED which depicts BSA from FY 20, FY 21, and FY 22
itemized by district and assuming passage of the bill. She drew
attention to committee packet insert from The University of
Alaska, Anchorage Institute of Social and Economic Research
(ISER), which summarizes spending amounts in Alaska's public
education. She cited Figure 3 and suggested that the comparison
of per-pupil education spending to other states using only
indices adjustments made for Anchorage does not accurately
reflect the disparity in spending. She suggested that when
rural metrics such as school size, remote locations, and
efficiencies of scale are taken into consideration, the
comparison would be depicted differently, and that 13 percent of
schools in Alaska are small, or less than 25 students. She
explained that health care costs are one of the larger areas of
expenditure that drive up costs.
8:25:08 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON commented that she supports educators as
the representative for the fastest growing area of Alaska. She
expressed concern as to whether Alaska can afford increasing the
BSA. She suggested that pooling employee healthcare could
provide cost savings through economies of scale.
8:25:58 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND indicated that House Health and Social
Services Standing Committee is having discussions regarding the
costs of healthcare. She noted that she has been contacted by
individuals requesting an area cost differential study, as it is
believed that Anchorage costs are actually higher than
indicated. She asked the bill sponsor when the Foundation
Formula was last evaluated at the request of the legislature.
MS. HAKALA referenced a study conducted by Augenblick, Pakaich
and Associates in 2015 as the most recent comprehensive
analysis, she suggested that the most recent data available for
geographic cost differential may be available through ISER.
8:27:28 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ZULKOSKY commented that higher costs are a
reality in Alaska, and that higher costs and cuts both will have
impact on classrooms, and those impacts are being felt in both
rural and urban Alaska.
8:28:08 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND indicated that teacher turnover is costly and
the estimated cost for a single teacher turnover is estimated to
be approximately $20,000. She expressed her hope that the
committee proceedings will continue to address the issue of the
costs and negative impacts of teacher turnover, recruitment and
retention.
8:29:46 AM
NORM WOOTEN, Executive Director, Association of Alaska School
Boards, testified in support of HB 236. He referred to existing
data available for the committee's consideration. He compared
and contrasted a school district budget in Alaska to an
individual's household budget, and noted that cost categories
fuel oil, transportation, airfares, janitorial supplies, paper
products, Internet, utilities, salaries, facility maintenance,
contractual services, curricular materials, food supplies,
healthcare, and technology upgrades are increasing in cost year
after year. He described funds received by districts outside of
the BSA as unpredictable and restricted in what districts may
plan for their use. He contrasted funds received through the
BSA as predictable and sustainable for districts to plan and
execute budgets efficiently. He suggested that investment in
education is investment in Alaska's future.
8:32:59 AM
LISA S. PARADY, Ph.D., Executive Director, Alaska Council of
School Administrators, shared a PowerPoint presentation with the
committee entitled "HB 236 ACSA Presentation," included in the
committee packet. She explained that the Alaska Council of
School Administrators (ACSA) supports Alaska Superintendents
Association, Elementary and Secondary School Principals, Alaska
Association of School Business Officials, and all school
administrators that serve in Alaska, in partnership with
Association of Alaska School Boards and National Education
Association Alaska. She shared a slide that depicted school
districts in Alaska and urged solidarity when contemplating
decisions that affect children in Alaska. She presented a slide
with results of a public opinion poll commissioned by ACSA which
depicts public support for funding public education in Alaska.
She referred to the packet item entitled "2020 Joint Position
Statements" that identify ACSA priorities, of which, increased
funding for education is the highest. She encouraged timely and
predictable funding through the BSA.
8:36:34 AM
DR. PARADY referred to the ACSA position statement of timely,
reliable, and predictable revenue for schools as a cornerstone
of ACSA's work with the legislature to establish forward funding
of education. She remarked that teacher turnover rate and costs
that have been discussed have a tremendous impact on the sites
involved, and that Alaska started this school year "down by 200"
teachers. She suggested that principal turnover can cost as
much as $75,000.
8:38:51 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND asked what the total number of teachers was
after the shortage was taken into consideration.
DR. PARADY will provide to the committee a verified total.
8:39:19 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND asked if progress has been made in filling
those 200 positions this school year.
DR. PARADY answered by explaining that districts are in a year-
round recruitment cycle. She described the changing experience
at job fairs wherein the recruiters outnumber the potential
recruits. She offered an estimate on survey data that indicated
in the Lower 48, upon which Alaska relies for teacher workforce,
the number of teachers leaving the workforce in the mid-2010s
citing "poor working conditions" was estimated to be 500,000,
whereas teachers joining the workforce were estimated to be only
200,000. She suggested that the national teacher shortage is
exacerbated in Alaska due to the challenges of recruiting for
rural teachers.
8:41:10 AM
DR. PARADY explained that the rural remote areas definition
which the federal government uses for studies on education was
required to be modified to take into consideration the unique
attributes of many Alaska communities. She indicated that half
of superintendents in Alaska have less than two years of
experience. She indicated that research on teacher, student,
and superintendent turnover reveals a link to lower student
achievement. She explained that working conditions for teachers
have become more demanding, due to social emotional learning,
student trauma, and ACEs among even very young students.
8:43:34 AM
DR. PARADY stated her belief that the proposed bill would
improve financial certainties that would positively impact
teacher recruitment and retention, and would provide for more
predictable funding, which would result in more stability for
each district. She described that, should the proposed bill
fail, and funding conditions remain unchanged, a "Cycle of
Uncertainty" would persist, which ACSA depicts in its
presentation as "Groundhog Day."
8:44:14 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ZULKOSKY referenced the PowerPoint slide entitled
"Social, Emotional and Mental Health" statement which read:
"ACSA supports funding to enable schools to recruit, retain and
increase their access to school counselors, school social
workers, school psychologists, nurses and mental health
specialists." She acknowledged her understanding of increased
demands made upon teachers in dealing with trauma among
students. She asked whether the passage of HB 236 plus
inflation proofing the BSA would be adequate to hire these
professionals, or if additional funds would be necessary.
8:45:21 AM
DR. PARADY indicated that additional funds would be necessary.
She indicated that fiscal uncertainty impacts timing of budgets,
and that funds appropriated outside of the BSA cannot be
adequately taken into consideration for budget planning and
development, which applies both to mental health workers as well
as teachers in the classroom.
8:46:11 AM
DR. PARADY explained that the "Groundhog Day" phenomenon is such
since the uncertainty arises year after year for school
districts in Alaska. She recounted deleterious effects of
current conditions and potential effects should the BSA not
realize an increase from the PowerPoint slide entitled "Impact
on School Districts, which read as follows: [original
punctuation included]
No increase to the BSA will lead to:
? Reductions in staff (teachers, reading specialists,
paraprofessionals), less competitive salaries for
teachers
? Loss of counselor positions and student intervention
programs
Cuts to academic (CTE, foreign languages, course
offerings), sports, and lunch programs
? Increased class sizes in some schools
? Postponing replacement of aging textbooks and
technology
? Deferment of maintenance projects, focusing only on
those which are safety and health issues
DR. PARADY indicated that teachers can, and are, taking jobs
elsewhere and unstable funding is a contributing factor.
8:49:08 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND recalled that as a member of the Anchorage
School District Board of Education, she had participated in $25
million in cuts prior to 2003, and would like to know what that
cost would adjust to with current indices. She related that
University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) is cutting its clinical
psychology program, and rhetorically asked if UAA is the
pipeline for counselors, social workers, and mental health
specialists.
8:50:44 AM
TIM PARKER, President, NEA-Alaska, testified in support of HB
236. He explained that NEA- Alaska [an affiliate of the
National Education Association] consists of over 12,000
educators, on whose behalf he serves. He extolled the love and
passion among educators and indicated that the fundamental
purpose of their profession is student learning. He
rhetorically asked the committee if all stakeholders share the
caring and passion for student learning that educators in Alaska
have expressed. He claimed that the meeting materials that have
been distributed to legislators regarding education in Alaska
have great value and depict the challenging conditions of
funding.
MR. PARKER suggested that the committee contemplate the purpose
of public education and its funding. He suggested that public
education is a moral obligation of lawmakers, and that budget
documents could be described as moral documents. He noted that
in Alaska, there are over 130,000 students in grades
kindergarten through twelfth, and the responsibility in
educating them to become good citizens is taken very seriously
by educators.
8:54:25 AM
MR. PARKER asked the committee to recall their childhood
education experience and noted that 90 percent of American
children are educated through public schools. He suggested that
the collective have benefitted through public education and
proclaimed that prior legislative bodies identified the need and
importance of public education enough to codify it into law. He
advised the committee to examine the suggestion of moral
obligation to continue supporting education of today's youth.
MR. PARKER offered perspectives from the classroom, stating that
at the moment of his testimony, some child may learn to read, or
learn about civics and the legislative process in school. He
indicated that priorities among students and parents are the
desire to learn, small class sizes, access to school nurses, and
access to the best quality teachers and lessons. He read
directly from existing statute, as follows:
Sec. 14.03.015. State education policy.
It is the policy of this state that the purpose of
education is to help ensure that all students will
succeed in their education and work, shape worthwhile
and satisfying lives for themselves, exemplify the
best values of society, and be effective in improving
the character and quality of the world about them.
MR. PARKER explained that students now are coming to school with
a tremendous amount of emotional baggage, and that schools are
serving students better than ever before with training in social
emotional learning and trauma informed schools. He described
the majority of Alaska students as having at least one Adverse
Childhood Experience (ACE), defined as neglect, witnessing
domestic violence, growing up with substance abuse, mental
illness, or having a parent incarcerated, which teachers are
trained to recognize and deal with. He mentioned that Alaska's
Educational Challenge prompted a change in the commitments of
public educators to center on: increasing student learning,
support responsible and reflective learners, and cultivate
safety and well-being. He identified the third priority as
having contributed to the new paradigm supporting emotionally
challenged students for them to thrive. He explained that the
development of these priorities was unique in that it had
occurred with unprecedented unanimity. He correlated the
priorities developed in Alaska's Educational Challenge to a
moral obligation.
9:00:33 AM
MR. PARKER noted that the passage of proposed HB 236 would also
further the goals of mental health in education. He made note
of some statistics, most of which he posited the committee was
already aware: five years with no increase in the BSA,
inflationary reality, class size growth at unsustainable levels,
and $30 million reduction if HB 236 should not pass. He
concluded that these contributing factors have led to decisions
resulting in sacrifices in lieu of improvements in meeting
growing needs. He stated his appreciation for the proposed
increase to the BSA; however, he requested that the committee
consider whether HB 236 is adequate under the current demands
being made on education in Alaska. He recommended that
inflation proofing should be incorporated into the proposed
bill.
9:03:56 AM
MR. PARKER urged the need for fiscal certainty. He said that
this is perceptible in teacher recruitment and retention,
explaining that each day that passes during the legislative
session in which a budget is not passed, or forward funding is
not passed, is equated to another day of job insecurity for
teachers. He explained that teachers are seeking employment
opportunities from April to June of each year in which to secure
employment, and failure to secure employment for the upcoming
school year could compel teachers to leave their field. He
noted that this negatively affects morale and discourages
teachers from remaining in the profession.
9:05:24 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS asked how end of year "pink slips" affect
the teachers and staff he encounters.
MR. PARKER answered that there are a variety of thoughts and
feelings expressed to him by employees faced with uncertainty.
He explained that for the most part there is a desire for
teachers to stay in their communities, as they are residents
with homes and families and are rooted in Alaska. He stated
that newer teachers report that at around five years of service
they begin to understand that there is no retirement benefit
plan, and they begin to ask questions about their long-term
financial stability. He illustrated the point by sharing that
the 2017 Teacher of the Year James Harris from Soldotna High
School is now teaching at a school outside of Seattle. He
emphasized that the recruitment of teachers is highly
competitive, and Alaska is failing to compete effectively due to
fiscal uncertainty.
9:08:02 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND opened public testimony on HB 236.
9:08:32 AM
KAREN GABORIK, EdD, Superintendent, Fairbanks North Star Borough
School District, testified in support of HB 236. She spoke in
support of the proposed bill inflation proofing the BSA, citing
rising costs of goods, services, salaries, and health care. She
explained ongoing management decisions within her district
resulting in cost savings despite a growing student population.
9:11:01 AM
DR. GABORKIK indicated that reduced funding prohibits Fairbanks
North Star Borough School District from investing in
professional development in areas such as social emotional
learning. She indicated that requests for safety equipment such
as cameras are unfulfilled, and the district's intent to
transition its discipline model away from punitive discipline
towards restorative discipline is not implemented due to lack of
resources.
9:11:59 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS asked Dr. Gaborik to explain any
implications of the timing of funding between the legislative
appropriation of budgets, the Fairbanks North Star Borough
School District Budget deadlines, and the Fairbanks Borough
budget deadlines, and how they intersect.
DR. GABORIK indicated that the school district is not informed
of available funds timely to teachers trying to make plans for
their employment. She explained that each year the budget
deadlines are April first for the borough budget submission and
early May for the school district budget submission; and
legislative appropriation schedule is unpredictable. She
explained that it is necessary for the district to develop a
plan in mid-April to early May for staffing decisions, resulting
in teacher layoffs if revenue comes in lower than its already
conservative estimates.
9:14:42 AM
ANGELA HAYDEN, Teacher, Jack Egnaty Sr. School, testified in
support of HB 236. She explained that Jack Egnaty Sr. School in
Sleetmute, Alaska consists of 18 students in grades preschool
through twelfth, and the community population is 80.
9:15:08 AM
NEAL SANFORD, Student, Jack Egnaty Sr. School, testified in
support of HB 236. He spoke of the importance of school funding
to support the population, to guard against homelessness, to
provide opportunities later in life, and spoke of the importance
of the robotics program.
9:16:01 AM
DESIRAE MORGAN, Student, Jack Egnaty Sr. School, testified in
support of HB 236. She spoke of the importance of school
funding to support employment of important community members,
and for travel to events like robotics. She noted that she is
required to lodge with another family in order to obtain her
education.
9:16:46 AM
KYLIE HAYDEN, Student, Jack Egnaty Sr. School, testified in
support of HB 236. She noted that an increase in the BSA is
necessary to pay for teachers, FIRST LEGO League, and robotics.
9:17:11 AM
ANGELA HAYDEN explained that she has been an educator for over
20 years, with 12 years at the village in which she is currently
1 of 2 teachers. She noted three years prior, her school was in
danger of closing because it consisted of only 10 students.
This prompted a threat of moving one teacher to another school,
leaving her to manage all the students for the school. She
spoke about a high incidence of ACEs among students and
explained that teaching in remote villages is difficult. She
stated that her district's budgets are due in April; however,
the BSA is not known at that time of the year and teachers who
have been hired are at risk of losing their jobs if funding
results are inadequate. She noted that relocating in and out of
remote villages is difficult and expensive. She explained that
small villages have no additional revenue streams and rely
heavily on the BSA to create educational opportunities for the
future citizens of the communities and have few or no other
opportunities for educational growth and development. She
explained that should the BSA not increase on pace with the
increase of costs and services, cuts must be made, students
become displaced, and cultures are eroded.
9:20:16 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK asked the grade levels of each of the
students.
MR. SANFORD indicated that he is in the sixth grade.
MISS MORGAN indicated that she is in the eighth grade.
MISS HAYDEN indicated that she is in the sixth grade.
9:20:35 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND asked whether Ms. Hayden teaches a particular
grade range.
MS. HAYDEN indicated that she teaches kindergarten through fifth
grade and math for middle school level children.
9:20:54 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY asked the students to share the robotics project
details for which they have traveled to Juneau.
MR. SANFORD explained that it's a solution to the problem of
individuals under the influence of alcohol in places where it is
prohibited.
9:21:22 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY asked how that would be accomplished through
their robotics project.
9:21:33 AM
MISS HAYDEN explained that they conducted research through a
blood bank and learned that law enforcement officers use
flashlights as breathalyzers, which detect the presence of
alcohol. The students proposed to mount these flashlight
devices to railings within two feet proximity to access areas in
which alcohol use is prohibited. She explained that if alcohol
is detected, the doors to the location will automatically lock
and a teacher would be notified.
9:22:22 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND asked whether Sleetmute is a dry, damp, or wet
location.
9:22:38 AM
MS. HAYDEN answered that Sleetmute is damp. She noted that
school events are often subject to unwelcome intoxicated
attendees.
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND commiserated that Anchorage School District
sanctioned events had also been disrupted by unwelcome
intoxicated individuals.
9:23:48 AM
NATHAN FREEMAN, Educator, Joann A Alexie Memorial School,
testified in support of HB 236. He stated that he is testifying
on behalf of all students in rural Alaska villages. He spoke
about inequities in education which ultimately led to lower
graduation rates. He named lack of access to social workers and
counselors, teacher turnover, and inadequate access to advanced
programs for students who demonstrate greater potential. He
advocated for every remote village to employ at least one full
time social worker based on existing needs. He stated that
itinerant social workers are employed by his district and
expressed his gratitude for their presence; however, he noted
that students have difficulty developing trusting relationships
with itinerants. He suggested that the legislature in Vermont
faced an exigent mandate to address funding deficiencies and
enacted a statewide property tax that he suggested provided more
equity throughout economically diverse districts in that state.
9:29:35 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ZULKOSKY asked Mr. Freeman to explain the impact
of BSA that is inadequate for the school's needs on a micro
level as compared to the macro level that has been discussed.
MR. FREEMAN answered that suicide is a micro effect of lack of
funding. He suggested that, in the aftermath of a suicide in a
community, the lack of social workers contributes to a "domino
effect" such as occurred in Toksook Bay. He suggested that
suicide is not viewed as an educational issue; however, schools
are at the social center of such events, and students require
social and emotional support in the school environment. He
explained that students in rural areas experience a high rate of
adverse experiences including domestic violence and exposure to
alcohol abuse.
9:34:23 AM
REBECCA SOZA, STEM Program Manager, Juneau Economic Development
Council, testified in support of HB 236. She shared her
experience in working in the education profession in various
communities in Alaska, including in the FIRST Robotics Program
for over ten years. She suggested that many Science,
Technology, Math and Engineering (STEM) programs are being
reduced or eliminated due to fiscal uncertainty. She suggested
that the BSA is the appropriate vehicle by which to increase
fiscal certainty, with regards to recruiting and retaining
teachers and volunteers. She suggested that the budget cycles
are too unpredictable for teachers to make commitments with
uncertainty of employment between spring and fall of a
particular year, a problem that she suggested is unique to
Alaska. She explained that fiscal uncertainty leads to a cycle
affecting training and retention, and negative effects are
exacerbated because of their cyclic nature. She commended the
witnesses from Sleetmute as a worthy example of STEM programs
enabling students and citizens to work toward solving their own
community problems.
9:37:09 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND asked whether the robotics team would be
exhibiting their project while in Juneau.
MS. SOZA answered that the robotics team is the nominee for
global innovation for Alaska, and will be presenting at the
Innovation Summit today, as well as demonstrating with other
groups while in Juneau.
9:37:38 AM
KEENAN MILLER, Associated Student Body President, Thunder
Mountain High School Student Government, testified in support of
HB 236, and read aloud from prepared testimony as follows:
Howdy, my name is Keenan Miller, and I am here in
support of HB 236 ... which will increase our
statewide base student allocation. I am representing
myself and the Thunder Mountain High School student
government in my official capacity as Associated
Student Body President. Currently, I am a senior at
Thunder Mountain High School, and I have lived in
Juneau for my whole life. For almost 13 years, state
funding has given me opportunities and an education
that I, along with Alaska's over 130,000 K-12
students, am going to build the rest of my life off
of. As Alaska continues to weather budget challenges
triggered by 2015's dramatic drop in oil prices and
perpetuated to some extent by legislative gridlock,
Alaska's students, schools, and teachers are feeling
the aftershocks. Last year, school has become a pawn
in the budget battle. The uncertainty of that
experience, the affront of knowing that the funding
for and the quality of my education, of my younger
sister's education, is caught up in a petty political
tug-of-war is something that I won't forget.
Increasing the BSA is critical because it directly
translates to certainty. School administrators can
know that teacher salaries, building upkeep and
maintenance costs, professional development, supplies,
and the basic things that quality ... education would
inherently suffer without, are guaranteed. In June of
2019, the Alaska Legislature released a $20 or $30
million state grant - not sure on the exact number
there - to schools. This is money that schools had
counted on and might have never appeared to lift them
out of the red. That's shameful. Increasing the BSA
directly addresses instability and uncertainty and
will only help schools use the money that they do
receive, as people have brought up, more thoughtfully
and effectively. It is also worth noting again that
the Alaska BSA hasn't been budged in three years. For
schools, flat funding means that essentially, each
year, the purchasing power of the money that they do
receive is decreased as a result of inflation. Though
the best long-term solution for this problem is to tie
the BSA directly to inflation rates, increasing the
BSA now is an essential short-term solution to this
unrelenting problem. So please, champion the increase
in Alaska's BSA. Feel proud to do so. One hundred
thirty-two thousand, five hundred and seventy-six
Alaska students are counting on you. Thank you for
your time and have a great day.
9:40:39 AM
KELLY LESSENS, Co-Founder, ASD60, testified in support of HB
236. She explained that the organization which she co-founded,
ASD60, advocates for children to increase physical activity
during the school day. She ventured that a host of problems
are a result of flat funding of the BSA for several years. She
recounted her experience as a parent of children enrolled in
Trailside Elementary School, which has four teachers for 123
enrolled fifth and sixth graders, and class sizes are at or
above 30 students; the third grade has a class size of 27, or
nearly double the recommended size for kindergarten through
third grade. She suggested that health education is being
reduced, student contact with teachers is reduced, gifted and
talented programs are jeopardized, and these are symptoms of
reduced or unstable funding. She noted that individual sites
may conduct fundraising through organizations such as
Parent/Teacher Associations; however, such efforts do not
provide for equity among all students. She suggested that
increase in BSA would aid in advancing the constitutional
obligation to provide an adequate education for every student in
Alaska. She recommended that the committee pass HB 236,
establish forward funding for education in Alaska, embrace an
education "head tax," agree to tax the oil industry, inflation
proof the BSA, and reevaluate the Foundation Formula.
9:43:22 AM
KERRY BROWN testified in support of HB 236. She categorized
herself as both a graduate of the public-school system and a
parent of students in Alaska. She offered that class sizes are
larger now than before the development of the Alaska Pipeline
[and its resulting revenue]. She recommended that revenues
should be increased from the oil industry and existing and
future revenues be redirected to education. She suggested
inflation proofing the BSA so that responsible planning for
education may occur.
9:45:25 AM
PETER HOEPFNER, Board Member, Cordova School District, testified
in support of HB 236. He suggested that increasing the BSA is
"but a start" to address funding issues in education in Alaska,
and that should health insurance costs increase by 8 percent
within the next year, the BSA increase would be fully exhausted.
He recounted that the loss of ferry service to Cordova has
resulted in increased costs of $150,000 that were unanticipated,
as the district had planned, and budgeted, assuming ferry
service would remain. He stated that the consumer price index
increases have resulted in funding levels on par with 1988. He
expressed concern with other proposed legislation that may
redirect education funding. He spoke in strong support of
increasing education funding.
9:47:49 AM
WINTER MARSHALL-ALLEN, Teacher, Homer High School, testified in
support of HB 236. She suggested that unstable funding had led
to a near strike of teachers and had precipitated loss of
teachers to the district. She recommended that districts be
subject to audit to ensure that cuts to funding are equitably
distributed. She suggested that inadequate funds are collected
for use in public education from the oil industry, and that
additional revenue streams should be examined, including
potential taxation of nonresidents. She testified that she has
previously experienced layoff and stated her hope to avoid
layoff in the future.
9:50:09 AM
CLAIRE SMITH testified in support of HB 236. She expressed her
belief that her local school district has room for improvement
on planning and budgeting, and that cuts to education diminish
programs that enable students to grow and learn. She encouraged
increase in the BSA which could allow gifted and talented
program, IGNITE, to continue in her district, as well as funding
a nurse position in a district which experiences a high
incidence of poor mental health, and could aid in the reduction
of class sizes. She urged support of HB 236 and future
stabilization of funding.
9:52:24 AM
MELODY DOUGLAS, Associate Executive Director, Alaska Association
of School Business Officials, testified in support of HB 236.
She suggested that school districts should obtain stable funding
in order to plan efficiently and effectively. She stated that
funding outside of the BSA is not stable funding as it is not
assured and does not permit districts to commit to teachers nor
long term planning for programs, staffing, and other costs.
9:54:12 AM
BESSIE WESTON, Board Member, Lower Kuskokwim School District,
testified in support of HB 236. She testified representing the
communities of Mekoryuk, Kipnuk, Kwillingok, and Chefornak. She
met with students at Nuniwamiut School, who provided structured
feedback for Ms. Weston to bring before the committee stating
their top three program priorities: Native language,
basketball, and Native Youth Olympics. She emphasized the
importance of CTE in the district. She indicated that students
are being asked to perform without adequate resources. She
explained that, should the proposed legislation not pass, the $1
- $2 million budget shortfall will impact 28 schools among 23
communities. She echoed previous testimony on the importance
of teacher retention and recruitment. She described the
district's Native language program as the only one in the world
that teaches its dialect.
9:56:47 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND requested that Ms. Weston provide written
testimony and provide details of the unique dialect being taught
in their district.
9:57:11 AM
DAVID BRIGHTON, President, Kenai Peninsula Education
Association, testified in support of HB 236. He echoed previous
testimony regarding the many years that the BSA has remained
flat. He noted that two, one-year, one-time funds injections
over the current and prior fiscal years have led the district to
a "fiscal cliff." He stated that nearly half of the district's
budget reserve is spent. He expressed his concern that lack of
funds will result in teacher layoffs and program cuts.
9:59:36 AM
NATASHA GAMACHE testified in support of HB 236. She recalled an
earlier question regarding micro effects of budget cuts, and
indicated that students' needs are not being met, specifically
special needs students who need occupational therapists,
physical therapists, speech language pathologists, and special
education staff. She noted that general education needs include
that of school counselors. She claimed that students in Alaska
suffer from the highest rates of child sexual abuse, child
abuse, child neglect, and nearly the highest child removal rate.
She claimed that the need for additional funding is exacerbated
due to budget cuts in mental health care as well as Medicaid.
She urged that anti-bullying programs are essential to the
safety of her own children and shared her personal experience
with the suffering of her autistic child.
10:03:21 AM
BRIDGETT WEISS, PhD, Superintendent, Juneau School District,
testified in support of HB 236. She compared school budget
planning from previous conditions selecting the best programs to
include, to now selecting which programs to eliminate. She
stated that current funding levels are not adequate to sustain
the district's strategic plan. She shared a list depicting the
cuts to essential programs. She expressed her dismay at feeling
unable to meet the needs of students in her district. She
asserted her belief that continued lack of funding increases
will imperil the entire educational system.
10:07:28 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND sought to ascertain the total number of budget
cuts that had been sustained in her district.
DR. WEISS stated the cuts are estimated to be $35 million
adjusted dollars from approximately 2008.
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND stated her understanding that Anchorage School
District sustained $19 million.
DR. WEISS added that Juneau School District is planning to
sustain $1.2 million in cuts currently.
10:08:17 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND stated that she would leave public testimony
open and announced that HB 236 would be held over.