Legislature(2011 - 2012)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/14/2011 08:00 AM Senate EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB84 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 84 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 6 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
March 14, 2011
8:03 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Kevin Meyer, Co-Chair
Senator Joe Thomas, Co-Chair
Senator Bettye Davis, Vice Chair
Senator Hollis French
Senator Gary Stevens
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Senator Cathy Giessel
Representative Herron
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 84
"An Act relating to funding for high school vocational education
as a component of funding for public schools; increasing the
base student allocation used in the public school funding
formula; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD AND HELD
SENATE BILL NO. 6
"An Act relating to providing a prekindergarten program within a
school district; and providing for an effective date."
- SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 84
SHORT TITLE: VOC ED FUNDING/BASE STUDENT ALLOCATION
SPONSOR(s): EDUCATION
02/04/11 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/04/11 (S) EDC, FIN
03/07/11 (S) EDC AT 8:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/07/11 (S) -- MEETING CANCELED --
03/14/11 (S) EDC AT 8:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
WITNESS REGISTER
MURRAY RICHMOND, Staff
Senator Joe Thomas
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced SB 84 on behalf of the Senate
Education Standing Committee, sponsor of the bill.
ELIZABETH NUDELMAN, Director
Division of School Finance
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Explained the fiscal note for SB 84.
DAVID MEANS, Director
Administrative Services
Juneau School District
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 84.
RICHARD MONKMAN, Member
Budget Committee
Juneau School District and
Juneau Douglas High School Site Council
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 84.
CARL ROSE, Lobbyist
Association of Alaska School Boards (AASB)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 84.
ANDI STORY, Vice-President
Board of Education
Juneau School District
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 84.
AMY LUJAN, Executive Director
Alaska Association of School Business Officials (ALASBO)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 84.
JOHN ALCANTRA, Lobbyist
National Education Association of Alaska (NEA-Alaska)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 84.
BARBARA HUFF TUCKNESS, Director
Legislative and Governmental Affairs
Teamsters Local 959
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 84.
EARL LACKEY, Member
Board of Career and Technical School
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 84.
JAMEY DUHAMEL, representing herself
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 84.
ANNE KILKENNY, representing herself
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 84.
CRYSTAL NYGARD, representing herself
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 84.
GEORGE CHEAP, Manager
Alaska Works Partnership
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 84.
SUE HULL, Member
Fairbanks North Star Borough School Board
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 84.
ANDRÉ LAYRAL, Executive Director
Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP)
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 84.
LARRY MOONEY, Business Agent
Laborers 341
Valdez, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 84.
JOHNNY TAUNTON, Apprentice
Laborers 341
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 84.
PATRICK FALON, Organizing Representative
Laborers 341
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 84.
DOUG WALRATH, Director
Northwestern Alaska Career and Technical Center
Nome, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 84.
DAVE JONES, Assistant Superintendent
Kenai Peninsula Borough School Board
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 84.
LON GARRISON, President
Sitka School Board
Sitka, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 84.
KAREN MARTINSEN, representing herself
Sitka, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 84.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:03:02 AM
CO-CHAIR KEVIN MEYER called the Senate Education Standing
Committee meeting to order at 8:03 a.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Davis, Stevens, French, Co-Chair Thomas and
Co-Chair Meyer.
SB 84-VOC ED FUNDING/BASE STUDENT ALLOCATION
8:03:54 AM
CO-CHAIR MEYER announced the consideration of SB 84.
8:04:53 AM
CO-CHAIR THOMAS moved to adopt CSSB 84( ), labeled 27-LS0465\D.
CO-CHAIR MEYER objected for the purposes of discussion.
8:05:49 AM
MURRAY RICHMOND, Staff to Senator Joe Thomas, co-chair of the
Senate Education Standing Committee, sponsor of SB 84, said the
first part of the bill establishes the vocational education
factor. Section 1 is the formula for funding education in the
state. He explained that the pertinent part to this particular
bill is on page 2, line 4, which establishes the vocational
education factor as a multiplier in the formula. The formula is
done by adding the ADM [Average Daily Membership] of each school
district, which includes the school size factor and the district
cost factor. The ADM is multiplied by the current special needs
funding factor, which is 1.20. This bill proposes to further
multiply the ADM by the vocational education funding factor,
which is 1.101.
He explained that SB 84 would increase the amount that schools
get per student by one percent. It is estimated that $11.7
million will be distributed to schools according to the district
cost factor and the school size factor.
Section 2 establishes the funding to the school districts. Page
3, line 19 adds "and high school vocational and technical
instruction".
Page 3, line 30 defines the high school vocational and technical
education fund. These funds would be available for students in
grades 9-12 and is a funding factor of 1.01. General
administrative expenses, math, literacy, and basic job readiness
skills are excluded from this funding.
8:08:57 AM
MR. RICHMOND noted that the legislative intent of this funding
is not to provide more work for the Department of Education and
Early Development (DEED) to track down how the money is being
used. Rather, the way the funding is used would be up to the
discretion of the districts, with legislative intent that it be
used for vocational education in high school.
Section 3 on page 4, line 9, provides a high school vocational
funding factor for the state boarding schools (Mt. Edgecombe
High School).
Sections 4-9 establishes the base student allocation (BSA) for
the next three years. He explained that the funding would be
increased as follows:
· On July 1, 2011 the base student allocation would be
$5,790, an increase of $110 or a 1.94-percent increase.
· On July 1, 2012 the base student allocation would be
$5,905, an increase of $115 or a 1.99-percent increase.
· On July 1, 2013 the base student allocation would be $6025,
an increase of $120 or a 2.03-percent increase.
He summarized the rationale behind this increase by reading the
following from a Sitka School Board Member [full letter included
in the document packet]:
Though we in the educational community have always
been somewhat leery of categorical funding, we
recognize that dollars going into the 20-percent Block
Grant for Special ED, ESL, Gifted & Talented, and
Vocational ED are being siphoned off almost
exclusively by Special ED due to federal mandates and
leaving Vocational Education seriously short funded
He noted that the intent of the bill is to provide guidance to
school districts as to how to use this money. In 2007 a report
was issued by the Joint Legislative Education Task Force chaired
by Representative Mike Hawker. This task force recognized the
need for school districts to be able to plan and budget for the
future.
He added that the bill packet included 22 letters of support
from school districts, school board members, and parents and 23
additional letters of support over received over the weekend and
that morning.
The amount that this bill asks to increase the school budget is
about two-percent per year. He stressed that the most important
aspect of this bill is that it allows schools to create fiscally
responsible budgets over the next three years. If a school knows
how much funding it will receive it can be working on reliable
budgets based on accurate figures.
He said that the fiscal note was prepared by DEED.
8:13:23 AM
SENATOR STEVENS asked how vocational education is currently
funded.
MR. RICHMOND answered that there is a special factor in the
funding formula of 1.20; this currently funds special needs,
bilingual education, gifted and talented, and vocational
education. He explained that it has been reiterated numerous
times by various school boards and districts that most of this
money is going to special needs education.
SENATOR STEVENS asked if this bill takes some power out of the
hands of the school boards in regards to how they use the funds
they receive.
MR. RICHMOND answered that the indications have been that school
boards would like to have this money set aside for that purpose.
CO-CHAIR THOMAS explained that the formula was not changed in
the bill. Rather, money was prescribed particularly for
vocational education. He explained that he has received many
indications that school districts would appreciate the
opportunity to make use of that money for vocational education.
MR. RICHMOND commented that the 20 percent funding factor has
not changed at all.
SENATOR STEVENS said his only concern is what this does to the
school boards. He asked where the money is going to come from to
fund special education.
MR. RICHMOND answered that the bill is not changing where the
funding for special education is coming from and the program
will continue getting the current allotted amount. SB 84 adds a
special fund particularly for vocational education.
CO-CHAIR MEYER explained that in working with the scholarship
bill it was recognized that not everyone wants to go to a
traditional four-year college. He said he appreciates this
section being added to the BSA.
He added that Senator Davis has asked the committee to consider
aspects of SB 73 be included in SB 84.
8:19:16 AM
ELIZABETH NUDELMAN, Director, Division of School Finance,
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED), concurred
with Mr. Richmond's explanation of the fiscal note thus far. She
said the fiscal note for SB 84 provides three years of funding
increases: $38.4 million in FY2012, $28.2 million in FY2013, and
$29.4 million in FY2014.
Page 3 of the fiscal note shows the calculation outcome for the
first year of the bill. She explained that the increases to the
public school funding formula to the foundation formula are in
two-part for year one. The first part is an increase by adding
the vocational education factor and the second part is an
increase by increasing the BSA.
Page 4 and 5 of the fiscal note shows the calculation for FY2013
and FY2014.
She said that the vocational educational factor is added
directly after the special needs factor. It follows the current
methodology of the formula in including the school size
adjustment and the geographic cost factor. She noted that with
regard to the vocational education funding, DEED does not
collect or monitor vocational educational categorical funding
out of the operating formula. She added that if this was the
desire the department would need to add a FTE [Full Time
Equivalent] to the fiscal note. She explained that the Public
School Foundation Fund is discretionary funding that goes out to
the school district. The school boards, communities, and
administrations then decide how to best use that money to meet
all the needs of their districts.
SENATOR FRENCH said, in his understanding, part of the intent of
SB 84 is that the new factor be spent on vocational education.
He asked how free the districts are to deviate from the
categories of money from the state.
MS. NUDELMAN replied that currently school districts can deviate
in order to meet the needs of the district. The special needs
factor includes special education, gifted and talented,
vocational education, and bilingual learning. She noted that
districts do not have to spend that funding in any particular
manner.
SENATOR FRENCH asked for clarification that these are broad
policy directives from the legislature that can be shifted
around by districts as needed.
MS. NUDLEMAN replied yes, she would agree with that statement.
SENATOR FRENCH asked about it from a strictly legal standpoint.
MS. NUDELMAN replied that from a strictly legal standpoint it is
discretionary funding. She explained that the foundation formula
adjusts for school size factor, the geographic cost factor,
recognizes special needs, and includes a component for intensive
[needs] funding.
SENATOR FRENCH asked if "special needs" and "intensive needs"
are the same.
MS. NUDELMAN replied that they are two very different columns in
the formula. Special needs are all of the ongoing special
education services including special education services,
vocational education, gifted & talented, and bilingual. The
intensive needs are based on a headcount with specific criteria
in order to apply for that funding. The intensive students are
funded at a higher amount and tend to be those special education
students who need the most support and services.
8:26:54 AM
SENATOR FRENCH asked if the students are individually
categorized for funding.
MS. NUDELMAN replied yes. She noted that the districts make the
decisions as to how to best meet those students with intensive
needs once funding is received.
CO-CHAIR MEYER added that typically an intensive needs student
requires an aide with them.
He asked, with this increase, what the total dollar amount is
that the state would pay for K-12 education.
MS. NUDELMAN replied the total public school funding state aid
is approximately $1.1 billion at the end of FY2012. She noted
that this did not include any capital projects.
CO-CHAIR MEYER opened public testimony.
8:28:56 AM
DAVID MEANS, Director, Administrative Services, Juneau School
District, testified in support of SB 84. He said with regard to
the BSA increase, the district recognizes that education costs,
like many other costs, continue to escalate. He said that the
most important aspect of the three year BSA increase is that it
allows districts to plan a responsible budget for more than one
year and implement research based practices into educational
programs.
SENATOR FRENCH asked what cuts the Juneau School District would
have to make if this bill does not pass.
MR. MEANS said the district has been looking at some
administrative cuts and would be increasing the class size at
the elementary school level. This would take care of about half
the cost. He explained that this is a tough year for the
district in regards to its budget. Months ago the district
looked at three budget scenarios: no BSA increase, a $100
increase, and a $125 increase. With the $100 increase the
district will have to make $4.1 million cuts.
SENATOR FRENCH asked for confirmation that in order to live
within a $100 BSA increase the district has to cut $4.1 million.
MR. MEANS replied yes. If the district does not receive the $100
increase they will look at increasing class sizes throughout the
district. He explained that they have tightened the budget
already in the areas of operations, maintenance and
administration.
SENATOR STEVENS asked if the student count in the Juneau School
District is increasing or decreasing.
MR. MEANS answered the student population will be decreasing by
less than one-percent.
8:33:07 AM
RICHARD MONKMAN, Member, Budget Committee, Juneau School
District and Member, Juneau Douglas High School Site Council,
testified in support for SB 84. He reiterated that with flat
funding the Juneau School District (JSD) is looking at cutting
[$5 million] out of the budget. This is due to increases in the
cost of fuel, maintenance and salaries. Some of the programs that
will be cut are very valuable and goes to funding direct contact
between teachers and students. For example, at the high school
level there will be one counselor for every 400 students with
that budget. He stressed that the budget committee took the
budget apart and looked everywhere it could for funding.
The Juneau Douglas High School Site Council especially wants to
stress to the committee that it views education as the best
investment that can be made for Alaska's future. He said "our
people are our greatest resource. When the oil runs out our
people are going to be here." He stressed that the best
prediction for a viable economy is to have well educated
students. He urged the committee to support SB 84.
SENATOR FRENCH asked if, including the $100 increase, the
district's budget would still be short $4 million.
MR. MONKMAN answered yes. If the district does not get the $100
increase, it has to go back and find another million dollars.
SENATOR FRENCH asked if the district had anticipated a $100
increase coming into this year.
MR. MONKMAN replied yes, it is critical for the Juneau School
District. He explained that some of the larger districts may
have more flexibility with its budget, due to larger reserves.
SENATOR STEVENS said there are individuals in the legislature
who state that more money is not the answer. He wondered how the
state is better off now than it was four or five years ago in
terms of remedial education. He asked Mr. Monkman if he believes
the Juneau School District is doing a better job of teaching
math, science, and grammar to students.
MR. MONKMAN answered that he believes JSD is doing a better job.
He explained that part of the program impetus include things
that take a while, including literacy programs at the pre-
primary age. The gifted and talented program has also been
expanded to include a larger pool of students starting in the
early grades through high school. These programs are the first
to be cut. He said JSD has seen a steady improvement, but unless
it gets the additional funding, it will start going backwards
again.
8:39:28 AM
CARL ROSE, Lobbyist, Association of Alaska School Boards (AASB),
testified in support of SB 84. He said that AASB is very
concerned about the possible funding cuts since the submission
of the governor's budget. He said that the board has been
looking at issues that it finds to be critically important.
These include the importance of early childhood education, the
preparedness of K-3 students, technology as an educational tool
in the 21st century, vocational education, and funding.
He noted that he served as the public member during the last
Legislation Education Funding Task Force [held during the 25th
Legislature]. The task force looked at a variety of issues and
needs regarding education. As a result of the task force's work,
a piece of legislation was formulated that provided three years
of funding to education.
He said that the stability a three-year funding system provides
is irreparable in how districts plan. The results of the last
effort to provide multiple years of funding allowed districts to
put programs into place that, over two or three years, would
yield visible results. He gave the specific example of the
program in the Kenai Peninsula and Kodiak who hired mentors to
come into schools to get students up to grade level performance.
He explained that this will be the third year of the program and
it is anticipated that this will be the year these students are
brought up to grade level. That program may be the first to go
if the state can't sustain the level of funding.
He stressed that, at a local level, districts must make
decisions to provide the best programs possible. AASB is
represented by volunteers who are responsible for expending the
$1.1 billion for education.
When the question is asked how schools have improved in the last
few years, it is important to note that children have not been
taught in isolation, he said. He stressed that it is important
to look at early childhood education in order to "grow citizens"
who can get a foothold moving forward. Money that goes into
education will not have direct results. He explained that the
state is contending with communities, social change, and
culture. Alaska has put a lot of money into education in the
last ten years and many of Alaska's students are very successful
and well prepared to assume their role as active member in
society. He noted that those individuals caught up in the
Department of Corrections or Public Safety system are not very
well educated, have not been given a lot of options, and have
made poor choices. He stressed that the answer to that problem
is not less education.
8:46:09 AM
SENATOR STEVENS asked if he has any concerns on the legislature
dictating where the money for educational funding must go with
regard to vocational education.
MR. ROSE replied that categorical funding is outside the
foundation formula. The funding for vocational education is
inside the foundation formula and is being directed towards
vocational education. In the past money has been provided to
vocational education inside the 20-percent block grant. He
reiterated that when the funding for special education,
bilingual education, and vocational education is shared within
this one block grant, the funding is controlled by one
overriding issue (special education). This piece of legislation
will identify money specifically for vocational education. He
said he would recommend to the members of AASB that they use
this money for that particular area; otherwise their credibility
will be damaged.
8:48:33 AM
ANDI STORY, Vice-President, Board of Education, Juneau School
District, testified in support of SB 84. She noted that the
board has submitted a letter to the committee in support of the
bill. This letter highlighted some of the progress that the
Juneau School District has made. She noted that math and reading
scores have gone up and six of the seven elementary schools now
meet AYP [Adequate Yearly Progress]. She said there is better
news than some might think.
She said with regard to the categorical funding it is important,
as board members, to look at their data and student needs. For
example, it is important to target English language learners who
have a lower proficiency in reading and math. She explained that
along with special education, the amount of money available for
vocational education is always smaller.
As a board member, she explained that she tries to make
decisions that will affect the district eight years out.
Districts across the state are looking at funding and trying to
do the best possible with the money available.
She noted that the Juneau School District has looked at the
national core standards and is working to implement these into
the schools. One way that the district has been using the
additional funding it has received for the past three years is
to provide more data to teachers about student proficiency. This
allows teachers to change their instructional practices in order
for students to gain the skills that they need. She explained
that flat funding is a decrease in funding due to costs that are
out of the control of the district. The decrease of $4.1 million
in the district's budget includes the $100 BSA increase.
8:54:31 AM
MS. STORY noted that with vocational education the district
receives about $80,000 in Carl Perkins Money. She explained that
the materials used for these classes are expensive. The funding
from SB 84 for vocational education will help with the
curriculum and materials for this program and help develop
programs for high school students, which are up to industry
standards.
She emphasized the importance of districts being able to plan
ahead in order to be efficient with staff and dollars.
She said that in regards to special education there are 111
intensive needs students in Juneau. These students have dire
medical conditions and have to have someone with them at all
times. She noted that there are also about 600 level one and two
students in the district. This funding is also very expensive
and is part of the block grant.
She emphasized that "our students are our north to the future."
8:57:24 AM
SENATOR FRENCH commented that "throwing money at education" has
become a mantra within the capital and other places. He pointed
out the chart on the BSA funding for the last 11 years [located
in the document packet]. He noted that for five years in a row
education was flat funded, while the cost of living increased
throughout Alaska. The chart points out that the cost of living
has gone up 28.8 percent in Anchorage and school allocation
funding has gone up 29.4 percent. This is less than a 1 percent
difference. He commented that money is really being thrown at
the cost of living, not education.
SENATOR STEVENS asked if Ms. Story's local borough is funding to
a cap.
MS. STORY replied yes, it has done so for years.
8:59:37 AM
AMY LUJAN, Executive Director, Alaska Association of School
Business Officials (ALASBO), testified in support of SB 84. She
highlighted part of the letter that ALASBO included in the
committee's bill packet. She read:
We believe that a multi-year funding plan for the BSA
is one of the most effective actions the Legislature
can take to promote continued improvement to the
quality of instruction across the state. We'd like to
see our districts focus on instructional planning,
rather than the debilitating distraction of pink slips
and the uncertainty of cuts to promising programs each
spring.
She explained that the members of ALASBO are "in the center of
the storm." The multiyear funding gives districts a chance to
plan in a rational way and is the best approach for students,
she stressed.
9:02:12 AM
JOHN ALCANTRA, Lobbyist, National Education Association of
Alaska (NEA-Alaska), testified in support of SB 84. He said if
flat funding moves forward in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley the
cut for the school district will be $8.5 million, for Anchorage
it will be about $13 million, for Juneau it will be $5 million,
and for the Kenai Peninsula Borough it will be about $3.5
million.
He added that inflation is "the thief in the night that robs you
blind when you least expect it." The chart included in the
document packet describes the funding for education over the
past twelve years. He questioned that if inflation has averaged
2.4 percent for the last dozen years why press forward with a
bill that has less than a 2.4-percent increase.
He noted when the Education Funding Task force in 2007 produced
the piece of legislation that provided the $100 BSA increase for
three years this was a place holder which allowed districts to
forward fund. He explained that in a forward-funding bill once
it is set in statute it is very difficult to change the funding
amount.
He questioned what would happen if the state was able to provide
all of the resources necessary for students to receive the best
education possible.
9:08:59 AM
BARBARA HUFF TUCKNESS, Director, Legislative and Governmental
Affairs, Teamsters Local 959, testified in support of SB 84. She
said this bill provides some basic tools for school districts to
offer a different venue for students who do not choose to take
the college or university route. She said that these vocational
education programs are an important option and adding this
funding into SB 84 is very positive.
SENATOR FRENCH asked whether there is interaction and
communication between the Teamsters, other unions, and the
vocational education programs that takes place in the high
schools.
MS. HUFF TUCKNESS replied no. She explained that the Teamster's
training trust has seen, over the last five years, that many
students coming out of high school do not have some of the basic
skills needed to enroll in some of its programs. Many of these
students have to take remediation classes at the university in
order to qualify for apprenticeship schools.
SENATOR FRENCH suggested that some sort of collaboration should
take place so that the courses being offered in high school will
allow students to be eligible for these apprenticeship programs.
9:12:33 AM
EARL LACKEY, Member, Board of Career and Technical School,
testified in support of SB 84. He explained that he is a
salesperson for a construction equipment dealer who is
consistently looking for individuals with the career
capabilities to work with their hands and have the basic
understanding to build a house. He said that SB 84 addresses
this issue well.
9:14:34 AM
JAMEY DUHAMEL, representing herself, testified in support of SB
84. She explained that for the last 16 years she has worked in
the social work field and specializes in child abuse and
disability issues. She argued that her experience working with
child abuse issues does not fall outside of the educational
domain. The education of children has a direct impact on society
and Alaska is failing to prepare a sizable portion of children
for life. She added that a lack of education increases public
assistance rates and social ills. She recognized that social
ills often have multiple causalities but it is known that low to
no-income levels increase household stresses and lead to harmful
coping mechanisms.
She noted that her oldest child experiences significant
disabilities which will make non-vocational employment unlikely.
She stressed the importance of having vocational education
within high schools. She explained that her son's circumstance
is not unique and there are many talented individuals who could
benefit from more intensive vocational education. Currently 35
percent of the state's labor jobs employ non-residents and
individuals close to retirement.
She continued that in the last four years the Matanuska-Susitna
Borough has utilized the budget process called Program Based
Budgeting in order to create a well-rounded fiscal plan. She
explained that she has served on the budgeting committee since
it began in 2007 and was disappointed that the process was not
utilized this year. She reiterated that the Matanuska-Susitna
Borough will face an $8.3 million shortfall next year. Even
after an early retirement incentive program the borough will
still facing potential layoffs of 35 additional staff.
She stressed the importance of being able to plan ahead in order
to prevent crisis management in the borough's fiscal plan. She
also noted that an increase in the BSA is needed in order to
compensate for the deflated economy.
She argued that children are Alaska's most valuable renewable
resource and their needs should be prioritized. Making public
education more of a funding priority will serve to support the
governor's call to combat domestic violence and child abuse and
also provide the skilled labor necessary in the state.
9:20:23 AM
ANNE KILKENNY, representing herself, testified in support of SB
84. She said K-12 education is a core function that the state
needs to focus on. She noted that the House Finance Committee
passed out its budget with a 5.2 percent increase, yet couldn't
come up with a three-percent increase for Alaska's children. She
explained that in the Matanuska-Susitna District the cost of
health insurance will rise by two percent next year. This
increase is more than the money the state would be providing
with the $100 BSA increase.
She said that a three year plan is very important for budgeting
purposes, as is the inclusion of vocational education. Without
this funding the district will see an increase in class sizes.
She added that when the PTR [Pupil/Teacher Ratio] is increased
the number of courses available decreases. She recommended that
the bill be amended to include a 3-percent increase in the BSA
on a yearly basis. She noted that HB 143 addresses this issue.
She suggested that the legislature not extend the compulsory age
of attendance [addressed in SB 9].
9:26:04 AM
CRYSTAL NYGARD, representing herself, testified in support of SB
84. She said this is an opportunity for school districts to
create, design, and reengineer their product. She explained that
she sees the value of vocational education as an investment to
"capture all markets of children." She stressed that the
investment made today will increase the capacity of the
Matanuska-Susitna Borough to deliver students into the workforce
with marketable skills.
She stressed that good leadership keeps money in the classrooms
and controlled overhead expenses helps develop children. She
urged the committee and the Legislature to support SB 84 and to
require that there be improved results in education in order to
show the return in investments to residents in Alaska.
9:29:59 AM
GEORGE CHEAP, Manager, Alaska Works Partnership, testified in
support of SB 84. He explained that he works in a collaborative
way with the school district in Fairbanks. He stressed the
importance of focusing on children. About 60 percent of students
are not going continue on to college. The courses that are
offered in career-technical education programs are very rigorous
and often allow students to go directly to work after high
school. These are courses that offer a broad spectrum of career
opportunities including information technology, health,
transportation, construction, tourism, and resources. All of
these areas are being met throughout the state by career and
technical education courses. He noted that there is evidence
that these types of courses help prevent drop outs.
CO-CHAIR MEYER added that Senator Thomas is responsible for the
addition of the vocational education funding in SB 84.
9:33:14 AM
SUE HULL, Member, Fairbanks North Star Borough School Board,
testified in support of SB 84. She said that the three-year
funding commitment is important to the school board because it
allows them to plan ahead. She explained that this year has been
difficult because the school board has had to guess on its
revenues and there are many insecurities regarding staff and
local contributions that go along with this. She encouraged the
committee to allow districts to be able to plan ahead so that
educational decisions are not made based on faulty information.
She said in regards to the inflationary increase it is only
reasonable to include this consideration. She said that if there
isn't an inflationary increase the hard costs that are rising
require districts to cannibalize those programs that are really
making a difference for children. She said that the district has
made some significant gains such as increasing graduation rates,
lowering dropout rates, and focusing on early intervention.
She noted that it is helpful to have the legislature give intent
language related to vocational education. She explained that
these programs engage students and encourage them to stay in
school because they see the relevance in what they are doing.
CO-CHAIR MEYER noted that for those who were not able to testify
today, the committee would welcome written testimony.
9:37:59 AM
ANDRÉ LAYRAL, Executive Director, Alaska Association of
Secondary School Principals (AASSP), testified in support of SB
84. He said that AASSP feels that this bill would be beneficial
as a continuation of the recommendations from the Legislative
Education Funding Task Force in 2007. He explained that the
multiyear funding is extremely helpful for schools and school
districts to plan and avoid layoff due to funding uncertainty.
He said that at the school level it allows staff to focus on the
continuity of implementation of programs. He said that without
SB 84 schools and school districts will face renewed funding
uncertainty. This bill is reasonable and will ensure that no
ground is lost in the progress that districts have made over the
last three years.
He noted that the provision on vocational education in SB 84
would also allow districts to offer a vibrant career and
technical education curriculum.
9:40:21 AM
LARRY MOONEY, Business Agent, Laborers 341, testified in support
of SB 84. He said, in his perception, there is overwhelming
support for increasing vocational education opportunities in
Alaska's high school. He explained that the current school
funding formula does not address the additional costs of
vocational education. SB 84 is a reasonable first step in
addressing this problem. He noted that he also supports the BSA
increase. For the sake of Alaska's future, educational funding
must be a top priority.
9:41:45 AM
JOHNNY TAUNTON, Apprentice, Laborers 341, testified in support
of SB 84. He said that the BSA increase is incredibly important
for K-12 education in Alaska in order to meet education goals.
He noted that increasing vocational education opportunities in
high school is an important aspect of this.
9:42:42 AM
PATRICK FALON, Organizing Representative, Laborers 341,
testified in support of SB 84. He said that the additional funds
will aid students interested in vocational education to receive
the training needed to pursue their career. He stressed that
education is the base of Alaska's future for students who choose
the vocational field.
9:44:13 AM
DOUG WALRATH, Director, Northwestern Alaska Career and Technical
Center, testified in support of SB 84. He said that since the
start of the center in 2003 they have seen nearly 2,000 students
from 47 rural communities. He spoke of the welding training
program that the center provides and its relevance to the
vocational education funding included in SB 84. He stressed the
importance of having tools available that teachers and students
can train with. This bill will increase the opportunities for
more rural school districts to prepare students for career and
technical opportunities.
9:47:10 AM
DAVE JONES, Assistant Superintendent, Kenai Peninsula Borough
School Board, testified in support of SB 84. He thanked the
legislature for the previous forward funding. This funding gave
the district the opportunity to create a long range plan for
improvement on instructional programs. He explained that the
school board developed a plan called "Programmatic Staffing,"
which resulted in the hiring of 40 full time positions targeted
at instructional improvement for K-12. The statistical data they
now have shows that the investment the state made has paid off.
This includes catch-up growth in math and reading at the
elementary level and improvement in graduation rates.
He explained that the board is currently in the process of
creating the FY12 budget. The net result for the district is a
deficit of $3.5 million for FY12. The district would receive
approximately $1.9 million with the BSA increase as laid out by
SB 84. This funding would be applied to the deficit and allow
them to keep the instructional plan that has been developed in
place. He added that the board is also working with their local
borough in order to get some additional funding. He said that
the board believes in the instructional plan that it has made
and will look into fund balances in order to maintain that
program. However, the district does not have the funding to
maintain this funding for longer than one year.
He noted that the board and the community are excited about the
vocational education funding in SB 84. He explained that with
this funding the board would look at what makes the most
instructional sense on a community level. He stressed that the
district would be held accountable on a local level.
9:52:29 AM
LON GARRISON, President, Sitka School Board, testified in
support of SB 84. He said that the testimony heard thus far is
very compelling and comes from a variety of sources. He thanked
the committee and the legislature for their support in education
in the past. He said that SB 84 will continue the good work the
Legislative Education Funding Task Force began. This bill would
provide funding that districts in Alaska desperately need. He
explained that the Sitka School District faces a $1.5 million
shortfall this year. Without the BSA increase or vocational
education funding, the result will be the loss of six to ten
education positions in Sitka.
SB 84 would provide several hundred-thousand dollars in funding
through the BSA and would provide critical money for career and
technical education. He noted that up to 80 percent of Alaska's
students may not be college bound. This funding allows districts
to engage these students and get them to the finish line.
9:56:06 AM
KAREN MARTINSEN, representing herself, testified in support of
SB 84. She said it is critical to keep in mind that education is
an economic issue, not just about more money for schools.
Currently Alaska does not have enough trained local hires for
the labor demands in many fields. She pointed out that in the
construction field 21 percent of the income leaves the state
each month because the workers don't live here. She said if
Alaska's students had the opportunity to start a career pathway
at grade nine, the state would begin to have the type of workers
that it requires. She said that her son is an example of a
student who wants to be involved in vocational programs. She
explained that he has exploited every course possible in Sitka
and she is now investing in outside programs in order to keep
him engaged and in school before heading into the workforce.
CO-CHAIR MEYER announced that the committee will continue taking
public testimony on SB 84 at the following hearing. [SB 84 was
held in committee.]
10:02:30 AM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Co-Chair Meyer adjourned the meeting at 10:02 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Fiscal Notes.pdf |
SEDC 3/14/2011 8:00:00 AM |
|
| Meeting Packet 3-14-11.pdf |
SEDC 3/14/2011 8:00:00 AM |