Legislature(2023 - 2024)DAVIS 106

03/27/2024 08:00 AM House EDUCATION

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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
*+ HB 392 EDUCATION FUNDING TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
-- Invited & Public Testimony --
+ SB 29 CIVICS EDUCATION TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
-- Invited & Public Testimony --
+ Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled TELECONFERENCED
                    HB 392-EDUCATION FUNDING                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
8:01:19 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  ALLARD   announced  that  the  first  order  of business   would                                                      
be  HOUSE  BILL  NO.  392,  "An  Act  relating   to education;   relating                                                       
to  funding  for  Internet   services  for  school   districts;  relating                                                       
to  charter  schools;   relating  to  transportation    of public   school                                                      
students;   relating  to  correspondence    study  funding;   relating  to                                                      
the  base   student   allocation;   relating   to  funding   for   reading                                                      
improvement   plans;  relating   to teacher   retention  and  recruitment                                                       
incentives; and providing for an effective date."                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
8:02:09 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE    TOM  MCKAY,   Alaska   State   Legislature,    as  prime                                                      
sponsor,   introduced    HB   392   and  read   the   sponsor   statement                                                       
[included    in  the   committee    packet],   which   read   as   follows                                                      
[original punctuation provided]:                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
      In  the  ever-evolving   educational   landscape   of  Alaska,                                                            
      the  importance   of  supporting   our  students,  educators,                                                             
      and  schools  has  never   been  more  critical.   House  Bill                                                            
      392,  introduced  by  the  House  Resources  Committee,   is  a                                                           
      comprehensive   piece  of  legislation   designed  to  address                                                            
      several   key  areas  in  our   educational   system.   Alaska                                                            
      currently    ranks    near   the   bottom    of   educational                                                             
      outcomes   in  the  US,  and  we   owe  it  to  our  kids  and                                                            
      parents   to  come   up  with   solutions    and  educational                                                             
      options.   This  bill   addresses   multiple   facets  of  our                                                            
      states   education    system,    including    public    school                                                            
      funding,  charter  schools,   and correspondence   programs.                                                              
                                                                                                                                
      House  Bill  392  is  a  testament   to  Alaska's  commitment                                                             
      to  its future   generations.   By  addressing   the  pressing                                                            
      needs  of  our  educational   system  through   comprehensive                                                             
      funding    and   support    measures,    we   are   not   only                                                            
      investing   in  the  educational   success   of  our  students                                                            
      but  also  in the  economic   and  social  well-being   of our                                                            
      state.  As  the  chair  of  the  House   Resources   Committee                                                            
      and  de-facto  sponsor   of  HB  392,  I urge   my colleagues                                                             
      in the  legislature   to  support  this  bill,  understanding                                                             
      that  the  benefits   it  brings  will   resonate  throughout                                                             
      our  communities,   laying  a  stronger   foundation  for  the                                                            
      future of education in Alaska.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
8:04:56 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
TREVOR   JEPSEN,   Staff,   Representative    Tom  McKay,   Alaska   State                                                      
Legislature,    presented   a  PowerPoint,   titled   "HB  392   -  Alaska                                                      
Education   Funding"  [hard  copy  included  in  the  committee  packet],                                                       
during  the  hearing  on  HB  392  on behalf   of Representative    McKay,                                                      
prime  sponsor.     He  began  on  slide  2,  titled   "Alaska  Education                                                       
System," which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert Alaska currently & historically has lagged behind in                                                              
      education outcomes                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert Education more important now than ever as low-skilled                                                             
      jobs  are  increasingly   being   eliminated,   a  trend  that                                                            
      will be exacerbated in coming years                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert Solution can't be just based on BSA increase;                                                                     
      Alaskan's    deserve     more   inventive     and    pragmatic                                                            
      solutions                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert The legislature has time for another shot at an                                                                   
      education   funding  bill  in  the  current  session   and our                                                            
      students need it                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MR.   JEPSEN    proceeded    to   slide    3,   titled    "Base    Student                                                      
Allocation,"     which   read    as   follows    [original    punctuation                                                       
provided]:                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert Rampant inflation in  recent    years   justifies     a                                                           
      significant BSA increase to allow districts security                                                                      
      when crafting budgets                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert Continued reliance on one-time spending outside of the                                                            
      formula works but isn't the best solution                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert HB 392 proposes a $680 increase to BSA from $5,960   to                                                           
      $6,640                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
8:07:49 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. JEPSEN continued on slide 4, titled "Public Charter                                                                         
Schools," which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:                                                                
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert Public charter schools   represent     "public-school                                                             
      choice"                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                                         st                                                                     
   trianglert Alaska charter schools recently  ranked   1    in  the                                                            
        nation in by the Program on Education Policy and                                                                        
      Governance (PEPG) at Harvard                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert Alaska charter school performance: 32.1% of a standard                                                            
      deviation higher than the national average in reading                                                                     
      and math                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert HB 392 introduces a new pathway  for  charter   school                                                            
        termination appeals & introduces a state charter                                                                        
      school coordinator position                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
MR.  JEPSEN   stressed   that   charter  schools   represent    a  "bright                                                      
spot"  on  Alaska's  education   system.   He  moved  to slide  5,  titled                                                      
"Correspondence    Programs"   and   stated  that   Alaska   has  over  30                                                      
correspondence   programs   and  over  20,000  correspondence   students.                                                       
The slide read as follows [original punctuation provided]:                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert Correspondence students currently only funded  at  0.9                                                            
      of average daily membership (ADM) for calculation of                                                                      
      adjusted ADM                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert HB 392 version A funds them at 1.0                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert Example: if a district has 10 correspondence students,                                                            
      (10 x 0.9 = 9), only 9 students would be added to the                                                                     
      adjusted ADM before being multiplied by the BSA                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MR.   JEPSEN   advanced   to   slide   6,   titled   "Alaska   Reads   Act                                                      
Funding,"   and   he  described    the  Act   as  a  landmark    piece  of                                                      
legislation.      Slide   6  read  as   follows   [original   punctuation                                                       
provided]:                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert Alaska Reads Act signed by Governor Dunleavy  in  June                                                            
      2022                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert Focused on advancing reading levels for   students   in                                                           
                               rd                                                                                               
      kindergarten through 3 grade                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert Labeled "unfunded mandate" by many  due   to  lack   of                                                           
      specified funds in statute                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert HB 392 provides an additional   $500   in  funds   for                                                            
      students in K-3 who are determined to have a reading                                                                      
      deficiency under new section 14.30.773                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
8:10:41 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.   JEPSEN   proceeded   to   slide  7,   titled   "Transportation    of                                                      
Students  Funding,"   which  he  related  was  the final  funding   aspect                                                      
of  the  bill.     Slide  7  read   as  follows   [original   punctuation                                                       
provided]:                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert Transportation funds (AS 14.09.010(a)) only applied  to                                                           
      public school students                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert Last increase to transportation funding was FY2013                                                                
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert HB 392 represents a   roughly    18%   increase    for                                                            
      transportation funding                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
8:11:16 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.  JEPSEN   gave   the  sectional   analysis    to  HB  392,   shown  on                                                      
slides  8  and  9,  titled   "HB  392  Version  A  Sectional   Analysis,"                                                       
which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert Section 1: Amends AS 14.03.127(a)  to  allow   schools                                                            
      districts qualifying for discounted internet services                                                                     
      to receive funding to bring speeds up to 100 megabits                                                                     
      per second (previously 25 megabits per second)                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert Section 2: Adds a new section allowing charter schools                                                            
      to  appeal    to   the  commissioner     of  DEED   if   their                                                            
      contract is terminated by a local school board                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert Section 3: Adds a  new   section    under    14.03.277                                                            
      establishing    a  charter    school   coordinator    position                                                            
      with the department                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert Section 4:   Repeals      previous       14.09.010(a)                                                             
      (Transportation   of  students)   and replaces   with  updated                                                            
      14.09.010(a)    that   reflects   increased    transportation                                                             
      funding                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert Section 5: Amends AS 14.17.430 to  increase   adjusted                                                            
      ADM factor for correspondence students from 0.9 to 1.0                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert Section 6: Increase BSA by $680 to a total of $6,640                                                              
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert Section 7: Adds new section   which   mandates   state                                                            
      provide  $500  for  each  K-3  student  determine   to  have  a                                                           
      reading deficiency                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert Section 8: Establishes  teacher     recruitment    and                                                            
      retention     incentives     for    certificate      full-time                                                            
      teachers                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert Section 9: Provides for an immediate  effective   date                                                            
      for section 1 (internet funding for schools)                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert Section 10: Provides for an effective date of  July  1,                                                           
      2024 (FY25) for sections 2 through 8                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MR.    JEPSEN     concluded     on    slide     10,    titled    "Sponsor                                                       
Recommendations    for  (H)EDU  Committee   Substitute,"   and  went  over                                                      
the   proposed   committee   substitute    (CS).     Slide   10   read  as                                                      
follows [original punctuation provided):                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert Section 1  Remove entirely.   Funding   for   internet                                                            
                                                                   rd                                                           
      schools   has  already   passed   both   bodies  of   the  33                                                             
      legislature in a different vehicle (HB193)                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert Section 2 - Replace "commissioner" with "state  board"                                                            
      regarding    the   charter     school   termination     appeal                                                            
      process                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert Section 5  Use special needs factor of 1.2 for ADM-                                                               
      based correspondence funding instead of a factor of 1                                                                     
      (current statutory factor is 0.9)                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert Section 7  provide $180 for every student K-3 instead                                                             
         of $500 for those determined to have a reading                                                                         
         deficiency; Provide an additional $100 for K-3                                                                         
      students in a title 1 school                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert Section 8  Lump sum payments for teachers; Remove                                                                 
      entirely.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
   trianglert New section  Include state board-authorized charter                                                               
      school language under a new section 14.03.254                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
8:15:13 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR   ALLARD    announced   the   committee    would   hear   invited                                                      
testimony.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
8:15:59 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The committee took an at-ease from 8:15 a.m. to 8:16 a.m.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
8:16:53 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
DEENA   BISHOP,  Commissioner,    Department   of  Education    and  Early                                                      
Development   (DEED),   answered  questions   during  the  hearing   on HB
392  and  noted  for  the committee   that  Karen  Morrison   and  Deborah                                                      
Riddle from DEED were also available to answer questions.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
8:17:28 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE     HIMSCHOOT    asked   whether    there   would   be   an                                                      
opportunity    to   ask   questions   referencing     the  CS   that   was                                                      
currently not in front of the body.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR   ALLARD  confirmed   there  would  be  time  for questions   and                                                      
suggested waiting until the CS was ready.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE   HIMSCHOOT   expressed   that her  lack  of  clarity  came                                                      
from  the   changes   that  might  be   in  the  CS.    She  offered   her                                                      
understanding   that  the  "old  SB 140,"  with  teacher  bonuses   added,                                                      
was in front of the body.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
8:18:37 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER   BISHOP  said  that  the  CS as  described  in  bullet  3 is                                                      
1.2  for average   daily  membership  (ADM)  funding,   and  .2 speaks  to                                                      
services   for  students.    She  briefly  explained   the  steps  in  the                                                      
algorithms   in  the formulas   that  speak  to  cost  differentials   and                                                      
school  size  in  Alaska.    Insomuch  as  correspondence    students  are                                                      
students,   she said,  the  change  supports   the learning   of students                                                       
in various services in which they can partake.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE    HIMSCHOOT   sought   clarity   on  the   special   needs                                                      
factor.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER   BISHOP   confirmed   it would   be  included  in  the  1.2.                                                      
She  said  every  child  is  treated  as  a whole  child  and  Mr.  Jepsen                                                      
had shared how that was calculated.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE     HIMSCHOOT    observed    that    the   special    needs                                                      
category   multiplier  is  a  block  grant,  and  districts   must have  a                                                      
plan  of  service.    She  inquired   how  a  plan  of service   would  be                                                      
rendered with individual families being the educators.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER   BISHOP   responded   that  when  a  student  is  in  public                                                      
school   correspondence     it   is  articulated    in   regulations    to                                                      
include  meetings   with  teachers   to set  up  an  individual  learning                                                       
plan  (ILP)  that  speaks  to  the  type  of services   a student   needs,                                                      
which  is  gathered   through   assessment.     She  added  that   special                                                      
services  are  served  through   the district   and funds  go  to  parents                                                      
through the ILP.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
8:22:33 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE    HIMSCHOOT  asked  whether   the  CS  would  contain  any                                                      
guardrails    on   the   additional    funding    being   used   for   the                                                      
allotment   that   families   receive.     She  offered   an  observation                                                       
that   if   the   expense    for   special   programs    is   falling   to                                                      
districts,   the  1.2  would  not  be  allowed  to  be  used  to increase                                                       
the allotment.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER    BISHOP   explained   that   the   home  school   district                                                       
would  determine   the  allotment   number,  and  she  further  clarified                                                       
that  the  charter   schools  are  located   within  the  districts   that                                                      
determine those costs.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
8:23:38 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  ALLARD   interjected   that she  would  "reign  this  in"  being                                                      
the   CS  is  not   ready   and  keep   the  conversation    to   what  is                                                      
actually in before the committee.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE    HIMSCHOOT  said  her  questions   pertain  to  what  she                                                      
considered a "familiar bill."                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
8:24:12 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE   STORY  noted  that  when  special  education   plans  are                                                      
made  for  correspondence    students   there   is  a  legal  obligation,                                                       
and  she asked  whether   the local  district   is responsible   if  there                                                      
is a legal suit.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER BISHOP confirmed that is correct.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE    STORY  asked   where  the  money  would   come  from  to                                                      
pay for the 20 percent increase.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR   ALLARD  commented   that  the  question   could  wait  for  Mr.                                                      
Jepsen to rejoin the conversation.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE   STORY   explained  that  her  question   had  to do  with                                                      
charter   schools   and  local  school   board  authorization    or  state                                                      
board   authorization    and,  if   it  were   state  board,   who   would                                                      
assess   the   local   impacts   to  the   neighborhood    schools   since                                                      
finances are based on enrollment.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER   BISHOP  responded   she  was  not  sure  the  local  impact                                                      
to  schools  was  understood  and  alluded  to  educational   or economic                                                       
impacts of what children are learning.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE    STORY  referred   to  loss  of   electives   and  losing                                                      
kids.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER   BISHOP   replied   that  the  type   of  program  students                                                       
receive  is  based  at the  local  school  level.    She emphasized   that                                                      
it  would  be difficult   to  track,  as  all schools   do not  offer  the                                                      
same education and are designed to serve their particular area.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE    STORY   pointed   out   that   when  there   are   fewer                                                      
students,   there  is  less  money;  therefore,    there  would  be  fewer                                                      
offerings.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER   BISHOP   explained   that  when  the  number   of students                                                       
decreases   students,   DEED   must  make   different   choices   such  as                                                      
closing   schools  or  combining   programs.    It  is  about  organizing                                                       
and prioritizing, she said.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE    STORY  asked   how  the  state  board   would  know  the                                                      
impact  on  the  choices   the  neighborhood   schools   would  be  making                                                      
if  there  is  projected   enrollment   in  a charter   school  resulting                                                       
in less enrollment in the neighborhood school.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER    BISHOP  answered   that   the  state   board  would   work                                                      
directly with the district and support all schools in the state.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
8:30:22 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE   HIMSCHOOT   shared  that  she  was still   digesting  the                                                      
suggestions   in   the  current   bill  for   correspondence    study  and                                                      
looking  at  a greater   investment  of  the public   dollar.   She  asked                                                      
about  accountability    measures  and  proof  that  the  investment   was                                                      
paying off.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER    BISHOP  confirmed    that  all  schools   in  Alaska   are                                                      
already financially accountable.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE    HIMSCHOOT    asked   about   accountability    measures                                                       
surrounding the ILP.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER   BISHOP  offered   her experience   that  the  ILP is  taken                                                      
seriously,    and   parents   believe    in  the   partnership    in   the                                                      
education   for  their   children.    She   added  that  there   are  four                                                      
meetings  per  year  required  in  regulation   and it  is  essentially  a                                                      
contract.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE    HIMSCHOOT   recognized    the  rights   of  parents   to                                                      
withhold   testing  and  that  there  is a  14  percent  rate  of  testing                                                      
in   correspondence     programs.      She   asked   whether    that   was                                                      
considered adequate for accountability purposes.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER   BISHOP   confirmed   that  she  was  not   sure  and  would                                                      
need   to  see  the   numbers.     She  praised   measures   of  academic                                                       
progress   (MAP)   growth,  which   demonstrates   a  student's    ability                                                      
according   to  their  grade   level  -  not  only  within  the  district                                                       
but within the nation.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE    HIMSCHOOT    added   that   MAP   also   allows   seeing                                                      
discreet skills.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
8:35:04 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE    PRAX  gave  an  example   of  enrolling   his  children                                                       
and  getting  the  assessments   to  make  sure  they were  on  track,  so                                                      
there  was  accountability.     He  asked  whether   there  was  a way  to                                                      
transmit   it up  to  the  state  level  so  that  the  public  knows  the                                                      
Interior  Distance   Education  of  Alaska  (IDEA)  program  is working.                                                        
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER   BISHOP  responded   that  DEED  receives  permission   from                                                      
districts   to  show  MAP  Growth  data   aggregates   that  demonstrates                                                       
that success.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE    PRAX  asked   whether   the  correspondence    programs                                                       
follow a standard for the ILPs.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER    BISHOP  explained    that  correspondence    schools   are                                                      
public   schools   that   also   participate   in   regular   assessments                                                       
given  in  Alaska  schools.    She added   that the  ILP  is  based  off a                                                      
template   based  off  regulation,   but the  information   would  be  the                                                      
same.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
8:38:52 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR   ALLARD  referenced   Representative    McCormick's   button  on                                                      
his  suit  being  possible   propaganda   that  she  stated   legislators                                                       
are  not   allowed   to  display;    therefore,   she   said,  she   would                                                      
contact Legislative Legal Services.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
8:39:08 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The committee took an at-ease from 8:39 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
8:45:49 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE   MCCORMICK   asked  whether  DEED  supported   a raise  to                                                      
the base student allocation (BSA).                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER BISHOP confirmed yes.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
8:46:23 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE    HIMSCHOOT   referred   to  Mr.  Jepsen's   presentation                                                       
referencing   wait  lists  for  charter  schools  and  explained  she  was                                                      
unsuccessful   in  finding  further  information   online  on  the  number                                                      
of waitlisted families for charter schools.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER   BISHOP   replied   that  the  Matanuska-Susitna     Borough                                                      
School   District   ["Mat-Su"]   and   the  Anchorage    School  District                                                       
(ASD)  have  the  largest  amount  of charter   schools  and  the data  is                                                      
held  locally.     She  said  she  did not  have  the  exact  numbers  but                                                      
offered   an  appropriate   approximation    from  her   experience   that                                                      
about  2,000   children  per   year  are  waiting  to  get  into   charter                                                      
schools.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE    HIMSCHOOT   asked  whether   families   are  allowed  to                                                      
apply to multiple charter schools.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER    BISHOP   replied   that  they   may   have  a  first   and                                                      
second  choice,  but  for  the  overall  numbers,  she  could  dig  deeper                                                      
into the data.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE    HIMSCHOOT   inquired   on  how  many   charter   schools                                                      
have been declined by their local boards.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER    BISHOP   said   DEED   does   not   collect   those   data                                                      
currently.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE    HIMSCHOOT   asked  about  a  number   representing   how                                                      
many   families   currently   cannot   get  into   a  charter   school  as                                                      
would like.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER   BISHOP  reiterated   that  she  did  not  have  that  piece                                                      
of  information   and  that  the  aforementioned    2,000  may  be  single                                                      
families, children, or multiples.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE    HIMSCHOOT   asked   whether  the   wait  list  included                                                       
optional   programs   and   magnet   schools   in  addition   to   charter                                                      
schools.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER   BISHOP   confirmed  the  numbers   were  specifically   for                                                      
charter schools.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE     HIMSCHOOT     requested    substantiation      of   the                                                      
numbers.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER BISHOP replied that she could contact districts.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
8:53:08 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR   RUFFRIDGE   referenced   the  CS  recommendations    discussed                                                       
earlier   during  the   final  slide   on  Section   7  and  asked  for  a                                                      
description   of  what   $180  could  do  for  a  child   with  a  reading                                                      
deficiency.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER   BISHOP  stated   that  she  would  not  speak  directly  to                                                      
the  funds  in  the  CS  recommendations   but  that,   in general,   DEED                                                      
supported   overall  K-3  reading.   In  addition  to  core  reading,  she                                                      
said  the  amount   could  include  tutors   and  an  individual   reading                                                      
improvement plan (IRIP).                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR   RUFFRIDGE   asked  how   much  tutoring   $180  could   provide                                                      
and  expressed   curiosity   towards  additional   funding   for  Title  1                                                      
schools.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER   BISHOP  provided   a  brief  history  of  Title  1  schools                                                      
and  stated  that  the  premise   to  Title  1  grew  out  of a  study  of                                                      
assets   kids  could  get  depending   on  socioeconomic    status.    She                                                      
said   there    is   evidence    that   students    that   have    reading                                                      
deficiencies    attend  Title   1  schools   and  additional    funds  are                                                      
provided.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
8:58:08 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR   RUFFRIDGE   revisited   his  first   question   and  asked  how                                                      
many  additional   services  $180  provides   if  one attends   a Title  1                                                      
school and has a reading deficiency.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER   BISHOP   said  the  programs   are  determined   through  a                                                      
multitiered   system  of  success,  and  inputs  and  charges  are  at the                                                      
local  level  because   of the  local  price.    She  offered  her  belief                                                      
that  the  additional   funds  are  for  the  additional   students   that                                                      
may  need  to  be  served,  and  there   is evidence   that  the  need  is                                                      
greater   in "title   schools"   where  there  are  more  kids.    As  for                                                      
what  is  received  with  the  amount,  it  depends  on  the  IRIP  itself                                                      
at the school level, she explained.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR   RUFFRIDGE    asked   Commissioner    Bishop   to   speak   more                                                      
generally   instead   of  so  specifically   on  how     if  she  were  in                                                      
charge   of  a  school  district   -  she  would   utilize   funds  for  a                                                      
child with a reading deficiency.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER   BISHOP   replied   that  she  would  put   the  money  back                                                      
and  invest   directly  into   teachers   and  additional   aid  and  have                                                      
opportunities    for  families   to  engage  the  teachers.     She  added                                                      
that local funding to schools is empowering, and it works.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
9:04:15 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  RUFFRIDGE   expressed   that  he is  attempting   to understand                                                       
the  process  behind   what  Section  7  would  do,  and  if  passed  into                                                      
law,   whether   it  would   look   like  a   block  grant   put   into  a                                                      
district.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER   BISHOP  affirmed   that  she  did  not  think  DEED  should                                                      
pay  for deficiencies   and  would  not  want  to incentivize   something                                                       
"we  don't  want  to  see  to begin   with."   She  further   stated  that                                                      
she would incentivize good teaching and reading instruction.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR   RUFFRIDGE   asked   Commissioner   Bishop   if  she  supported                                                       
Section 7 or whether there could be a better way to do it.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER    BISHOP   said  she   supported   setting   aside   funding                                                      
specifically   for   reading.    She  observed   that  the  debates   here                                                      
are about money and accountability.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
9:10:00 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR   RUFFRIDGE   inquired   what  Commissioner    Bishop's   opinion                                                      
was  of  Section   7,  relating   that   "certain   people   get  this  or                                                      
that."                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER   BISHOP   reiterated   that  she  would  like  all  kids  to                                                      
be  supported,   but   within  the  formula,   it   would  allow   smaller                                                      
schools  to  have  additional  funds  which  depends   on the  body.   She                                                      
added   that    directing    funds   to   the   Alaska    Reads   Act   is                                                      
advantageous to the success of children.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
9:11:52 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR   ALLARD  asked   Commissioner   Bishop   whether  she  believed                                                       
that  opening  up  more  charter  schools  would  alleviate   or minimize                                                       
a waiting list.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER   BISHOP   responded   that  she   believed   if  there  were                                                      
additional   charter   schools   to   offer  additional    parent   choice                                                      
that wait lists in districts would go down.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
9:12:19 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR ALLARD opened public testimony on HB 392.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
9:12:54 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
LON  GARRISON,   Executive   Director,   Association   of  Alaska   School                                                      
Boards,   testified    in   support   of  HB   392   on  behalf    of  the                                                      
Association   of Alaska   School  Boards  (AASB).   He  stated  that  AASB                                                      
expressed   a  deep  appreciation    for  the   legislature's   continued                                                       
efforts   to   address    public   education    issues,   mainly    school                                                      
funding.    He stated  that  AASB  was  thankful  for  the  proposed  $680                                                      
increase   to  the  BSA;  however,   it  is  far  less  than   the  amount                                                      
needed   to  account   for  inflation.     The  additional   funding   for                                                      
implementing   the  Alaska  Reads  Act  is critical   to its  success  and                                                      
the  impact  it  will  have  on  students,  he  opined.    He  noted  that                                                      
AASB  believed   the   proposed   appeal   process  for   charter   school                                                      
terminations    and   the   dedicated   position    at  DEED   supporting                                                       
charter   schools  were   needed  improvements.     He  added   that  AASB                                                      
advocates   for  efforts   that  enhance   and  support   charter   school                                                      
applications through local and state school boards.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
9:15:15 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
RACHAEL  POSEY,  representing    self,  testified  in  support  of  HB 392                                                      
and  stressed   that  she  supported   raising  the  BSA  to  $680.    She                                                      
said  schools  need  funding   to budget  and  plan  for  the  year.   She                                                      
expressed   concern   with   the  new  language    about  a  state   board                                                      
authorizing   charter   schools  and  opined   that  having   that  remain                                                      
with   local  school   boards   should   not   be  changed.     Education                                                       
funding   as a  priority   should  be  important   to everyone   for  many                                                      
reasons,   one  being   it  could  help  the  future   workforce   in  the                                                      
state, she said.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
9:16:30 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHRIS   REITAN,    Superintendent,     Craig   City    School   District,                                                       
testified   in  support  of  HB  392 and  offered   his  belief  that  the                                                      
proposed   legislation    would   support   the   Alaska   public   school                                                      
system  by  providing   increases   to  Internet   speeds,  the  BSA,  and                                                      
school   transportation,     as  well   as   supporting    correspondence                                                       
students   and the  Alaska  Reads  Act.    He added   that his  testimony                                                       
included  "cautious   support"   for the  bill  due  to language   related                                                      
to  the operation   of  charter  schools,   and  that he  is  an advocate                                                       
for  locally   developed   school   choice   options   in  which   charter                                                      
schools   are  one  critical   component.     He further   explained   his                                                      
concern   that   the   proposed   legislation    would   allow   DEED   to                                                      
override   a  school  district   if  the  school   district  disbanded   a                                                      
charter  school,   because  the  language   oversteps   the  authority  of                                                      
elected  school  board   members  in governing   their  locally  provided                                                       
programs.     He  expressed   his  appreciation   to  the  committee   for                                                      
continuing to have important conversations.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
9:18:33 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
LAURA  STEELE,  representing   self,  testified   in  support  of HB  392.                                                      
She  stated  that  an increase   in the  BSA  is needed,  and  she  opined                                                      
that  while   the  amount   of  $680  is  not  enough   to  keep  up  with                                                      
inflation,   it is  better  than  nothing.    She recognized   the  public                                                      
support   for  an increase   and  stressed   her  belief  that  investing                                                       
in  the   state's   children   is  an  investment    in  the  future   and                                                      
economic   prosperity  for  the  state.    Another  year  of  budget  cuts                                                      
cannot be afforded, she said, and she urged support for HB 392.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
9:19:55 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHRISTINA   TURMAN,  representing   self,   testified  in  support   of HB
392  and   of  the  funding   schools   so  desperately   need,   and  she                                                      
acknowledged   the  "hard  job"  the  committee   has  to  do.   She  said                                                      
she  is  a  parent   who  has  watched   four  schools   close   in  three                                                      
years,  schools   losing  programs,   and  class  sizes  increasing,   and                                                      
she stressed that accountability is needed.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
9:21:53 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CODY   MCCANNA,     Principal,    Aurora    Borealis    Charter    School,                                                      
testified   during   the   hearing   on  HB  392  and   opined   that  the                                                      
charter   school   approval   process   should   stay   as  it   is.    He                                                      
described   the   increase   in  the   BSA  in  Section   6  as   being  a                                                      
minimum  increase,   and  if it  does  not happen  this  year,  cuts  will                                                      
have  to  be  made,  he  said.   He  opined   that  an increase   to  fund                                                      
the Alaska Reads Act is also needed.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
9:24:04 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHANDRA  CAFFROY,   representing   self,  testified   during  the  hearing                                                      
on  HB 392  and  shared  her  experience   in wanting   to get  a  charter                                                      
school  started   due  to  a public   school  "failing   the  community."                                                       
She   stated   she   would   like   to  see   responsible    funding   and                                                      
accountability    to  budget  inflation.     She  added   that  she  would                                                      
like  to see  teachers'   personal  and  political  agendas   left  out of                                                      
the  classroom   and  offered  her  belief   many  of  parents'  concerns                                                       
are the evidence of mass exodus from public schools.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
9:26:33 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
GABE  KERRONE,  representing   self,  testified   during  the  hearing  on                                                      
HB  392.    He  offered   his  belief   that  there   should   be  charter                                                      
schools  to  offer  a different   curriculum   and students   could  learn                                                      
things  closer  to  "their  culture."    He spoke  to  being  involved  in                                                      
sports  and  the  drive  to  participate   is too  far  for  his parents.                                                       
He stated charter schools could bring much more potential.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
9:28:53 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ELI  KERRONE,  representing    self,  testified   during  the  hearing  on                                                      
HB  392  and  offered  his  support   for  obtaining  a  charter   school.                                                      
He  said  he   did  not  think  teachers   were   getting   paid  for  the                                                      
hours  spent  teaching  but  if  there  were a  charter  school  that  may                                                      
change.     He   further   offered   his   support   for   having   sports                                                      
through the charter school.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
9:30:30 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ANNELIEN  KUZMIN,   representing   self,  testified   during  the  hearing                                                      
on  HB  392.    She  said   she  is  thankful   for  the  charter   school                                                      
close  to  her   house  and  having   the  opportunity   to  choose   from                                                      
curriculum.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
9:32:18 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ALISTER   KUZMIN,  representing   self,  testified   during   the  hearing                                                      
on  HB  392.    He  said  those  who   create  charter   schools   believe                                                      
they  increase  the  learning   opportunity  to  provide  greater   access                                                      
to  quality  education.     Charter  schools   are  smaller   than  public                                                      
schools  and  parents  are  more  involved  in  their  kids'  educations,                                                       
he opined.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
9:33:28 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
NATALEE  PERVOST,   representing   self,  testified   during  the  hearing                                                      
on  HB 392.   She  opined  charter  schools   are needed  because   of the                                                      
focus   on  the   subjects   that   matter   and  the   small  amount   of                                                      
students   so the  teacher  can  focus  more  on  the  students  who  need                                                      
help.    Charter   schools  bring   extra  activities   that  may  not  be                                                      
offered  in  a public  school,   and there  is  more  hands-on  activity,                                                       
she said.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
9:34:46 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
LEO  ELLSWORTH,   representing    self,  testified   during  the   hearing                                                      
on  HB 392.    He  said  charter  schools   give  more  opportunities   to                                                      
kids, especially to do the sports they love.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
9:36:02 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
JESSICA    VAUDREUIL,   representing     self,   testified    during   the                                                      
hearing   on  HB  392.    She   observed   that  there   was  a  focus  on                                                      
condemning   or  scrutinizing   programs   that   are  actually  working,                                                       
and  she  expressed   that  "it  seems  like  you  want  to"  micromanage                                                       
correspondence   programs.    The  reason  the  programs  are  working  is                                                      
that  parents  are  involved,   and  they need  to  be  left  alone  to do                                                      
what  they  are  doing.    Teachers  cannot   just  teach,  and  now  kids                                                      
are  in  correspondence    schools  and   children  are   learning.    She                                                      
said  there  must  be  school  choice  and  she  did  not understand   why                                                      
there must be such a monopoly.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
9:38:13 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
JACQUELINE   MUEHLBAUER,    representing   self,   testified   in  support                                                      
of  HB 392  and  stated   that  she supported   a  BSA  increase  of  $680                                                      
or more to local schools.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
9:38:45 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR   ALLARD,    after   ascertaining    no   one  else   wished   to                                                      
testify, closed public testimony on HB 392.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
9:39:05 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE    STORY  asked   for  public  testimony   to  be  open  on                                                      
the CS once it is completed.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR   ALLARD   replied  that   she  could  take   that  up  with  Co-                                                      
Chair Ruffridge who may be chairing during that time.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
[HB 392 was held over.]                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
HB 392 Version A.pdf HEDC 3/27/2024 8:00:00 AM
HEDC 4/8/2024 8:00:00 AM
HB 392
HB 392 Sponsor Statement Version A.pdf HEDC 3/27/2024 8:00:00 AM
HEDC 4/8/2024 8:00:00 AM
HB 392
HB 392 Sectional Analysis Version A.pdf HEDC 3/27/2024 8:00:00 AM
HEDC 4/8/2024 8:00:00 AM
HB 392
HB 392 Fiscal Note #1 DEED-FP.pdf HEDC 3/27/2024 8:00:00 AM
HEDC 4/8/2024 8:00:00 AM
HB 392
HB 392 Fiscal Note #2 DEED-BAG.pdf HEDC 3/27/2024 8:00:00 AM
HEDC 4/8/2024 8:00:00 AM
HB 392
HB 392 Fiscal Note #3 DEED-SSA.pdf HEDC 3/27/2024 8:00:00 AM
HEDC 4/8/2024 8:00:00 AM
HB 392
HB 392 Fiscal Note #4 DEED-MEHS.pdf HEDC 3/27/2024 8:00:00 AM
HEDC 4/8/2024 8:00:00 AM
HB 392
HB 392 Fiscal Note #5 DEED-PEF.pdf HEDC 3/27/2024 8:00:00 AM
HEDC 4/8/2024 8:00:00 AM
HB 392
SB 29 Sectional version R.pdf HEDC 3/27/2024 8:00:00 AM
HEDC 4/26/2024 8:00:00 AM
SB 29
HB 392 – Alaska Education Funding Presentation (HEDU).pptx HEDC 3/27/2024 8:00:00 AM
HEDC 4/8/2024 8:00:00 AM
HB 392
CSHB 392 Work Draft.pdf HEDC 3/27/2024 8:00:00 AM
HB 392