Legislature(1997 - 1998)
02/28/1998 10:10 AM Senate FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SENATE BILL NO. 36
"An Act relating to transportation of public school
students; relating to school construction grants;
relating to the public school foundation program and to
local aid for education; and providing for an effective
date."
Co-chair Sharp convened the meeting and continued public
testimony on SB 36. He noted a three-minute time limit so
that everyone would have a chance to testify. He announced
a public number for call-ins other that from LIO's and gave
the address and fax number for written testimony.
Senator Adams via teleconference from Anchorage asked about
further coverage on SB 36. Co-chair Sharp said that today
would conclude the last day of public testimony. There
would be further hearings, "listen only" teleconference and
they would also be available on Gavel-to-Gavel.
The following individuals and from what city they testified
follows:
CHARLES MASON via teleconference from BARROW, personnel
director, North Slope Borough School said he felt that the
press conference yesterday was "everyone write a check".
ADELINE HOPSON via teleconference from BARROW, said the bill
would take away money from the Bering Strait school. She
opposed the McDowell Study, saying it was flimsy.
Co-chair Sharp asked that she fax in her written testimony.
A.M. JOHNSON via teleconference from KETCHIKAN, school board
member from Ketchikan said he would also fax in further
testimony. He asked that their facilities and teachers be
visited.
WILLIAM MESSMER via teleconference from WRANGELL, president,
Wrangell school board opposed SB 36.
TONNIE BARLOW via teleconference from WRANGELL, member,
Wrangell school board member, said there were problems with
the McDowell study. She opposed SB 36 and said that there
needs to be a lot more work done.
Co-chair Sharp concurred and indicated there will be many
more hours spent on the bill.
BOB CHRISTAL via teleconference from ANCHORAGE, president,
Anchorage school district, said they were the largest school
district in the State. There needed to be an increase in
funding for education.
FRED GIDDING via teleconference from ANCHORAGE, school
principal said an equitable rewrite should be found to
provide proper funding. He thanked Senator Parnell for
visiting his school.
Senator Parnell responded briefly to Mr. Gidding.
DAVE WERDAL via teleconference from ANCHORAGE, parent and
member Anchorage school board said they had the highest
class size in the State and they were the only district not
fully reimbursed for transportation.
GLEN MARUNDE via teleconference from TOK, opposed SB 36.
The children of the State were being held hostage with this
bill. He said he favoured Statewide sales tax be imposed
for education.
Co-chair Sharp said he voted three times against
incorporation into a borough from his district but still it
became a borough.
DAN BECK via teleconference from DELTA JUNCTION, commented
on deferred maintenance for schools.
TOM ARMOUR via teleconference from YAKUTAT said this would
be a district that would be hit hard. Alternative solutions
should be sought.
ELI HANLON via teleconference from YAKUTAT, assembly member
from Yakutat, opposed SB 36.
SHARON SWOPE via teleconference from YAKUTAT said this plan
was not a simple one. It should be made inflation-proof.
Perhaps everyone should go back to the drawing board.
ANNE KILKENNY via teleconference from MAT-SU, said more
money was needed for funding.
LELA AYERS via teleconference from MAT-SU, said more money
was needed all around, but others should not be deprived.
LIEF KENNY JOHNSON via teleconference from MAT-SU, eight
years old, testified against SB 36. He said he attended
Snowshoe Elementary School in Wasilla.
JOHN CYR via teleconference from MAT-SU, president, NEA-
Alaska, said he would like to work with everyone concerned
to get the best for Alaska's children.
DEBBIE OSSIANDER, president, Anchorage School Board, was
invited to join the committee. She noted severe
overcrowding in the Anchorage classrooms. She applauded the
McDowell Study, noting the foundation re-write was critical.
LOU MATHESON via teleconference from KOTZEBUE,
superintendent, Northwest Arctic Borough School, said he
opposed SB 36 and also the McDowell Study. He noted that
there had been an inflation increase but funding for
education had not increased.
BOB JONES via teleconference from KENNY LAKE, concurred with
Lou Matheson from Kotzebue. He said teachers at Copper
River school had had one raise. He said families living in
rural Alaska paid a premium for this life-style.
HELEN OLSEN via teleconference from TOK, said she felt it
was a mistake to incorporate Tok and Delta schools and felt
there would be an impact on how the school would operate.
She said she was very concerned about SB 36.
REVA SHIRCEL via teleconference from FAIRBANKS, said SB 36
was unfair to rural Alaska. Education was a high cost to
native children.
DEBRA MULLINS via teleconference from KENAI, said they must
try to fix this very bad formula. Things should be
equitable for all districts.
PATRICK HICKEY via teleconference from KENAI, commented on
special needs in his area such as bilingual need and voc
tech need.
ROD HOEGH via teleconference from ELIM, principal, Elim
School (Nome), opposed SB 36.
SHARON SUARVY-LIVINGSTON via teleconference from UNALASKA,
board president, Unalaska School District, said there was
not enough money to help rural schools. Teachers have done
their part, however, they cannot continue to provide quality
education at the same funding.
HOLLIE SAGER via teleconference from UNALASKA, business
manager for Unalaska School District, said this bill was
unfair to rural Alaska. The Legislature should make the
appropriate revisions.
JOHN WEISE via teleconference from AKIACHAK, superintendent
Yupik School District, noted high poverty in his district.
Children were still attending old BIA schools. There was no
state school building. In 1980 they organized into an REAA,
the State promised to help out and they were still waiting.
There should not be an imposition of tax on poverty level
people.
(Tape #55, Side B, changed to tape #56, Side A.)
DAVID S. COMBS via teleconference from ANCHORAGE, said
funding should be increased.
MICHAEL TAVELLA via teleconference from ANCHORAGE, said
there was a lack of funding for education in the State.
Anchorage was receiving less than their quota.
JIM COX via teleconference from ANCHORAGE, principal,
Girdwood School said the bill was a step in the right
direction.
GEORGE WIRT via teleconference from ANCHORAGE, member,
Anchorage assembly, said there must be a re-work of the
funding formula.
KATHLEEN WIGHT-MURPHY via teleconference from MAT-SU, said
they did not want to benefit at the cost of other districts'
loss. There was a misconceived idea that rural Alaska was
sitting on tons of money. There should be rural school
improvement and the State should be putting more funding in.
Co-chair Sharp asked that Ms. Wight-Murphy bring any
suggestions with her when she came to Juneau.
LISA BEZENEK via teleconference from KETCHIKAN, supported SB
36. She said there should be more funding in the whole pie.
Co-chair Sharp said there was a hesitancy to put more money
into an already unfair distribution. It has to be made more
equitable.
Senator Phillips, referring to the press briefing yesterday,
said the foundation formula in its present form was not
working.
Senator Adams via teleconference, concurred funding formula
was not correct. They must also consider Federal funding.
VERA SHOES via teleconference from FORT YUKON, said that
each child had a right to education. (Much of conversation
was unintelligible due to break up on line.)
RICHARD CARN via teleconference from NAPAKIAK, parent and
teacher, said there were many inconsistencies behind the
intent of the bill. He urged the members to support
education.
Senator Wilken said he appreciated the public participation
and thanked all those who did.
ADJOURNMENT
Co-chair Sharp recessed the meeting at approximately 12:10
p.m. He said at 8:30 a.m. the committee would commence
discussion regarding the bill, continue again at 4:30 p.m.
and also Wednesday morning at 8:30 a.m.
SFC-98 -5- 2/28/98
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