Legislature(2023 - 2024)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/11/2024 03:30 PM Senate EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB97 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 97 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 97-TEACHER RECRUITMENT; LUMP SUM PAYMENT
3:31:11 PM
CHAIR TOBIN announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 97
"An Act authorizing lump sum payments for certain teachers as
retention and recruitment incentives; and providing for an
effective date."
3:33:00 PM
TAMA CARSON, Director, Administrative Services, Department of
Education and Early Development (DEED), Juneau, Alaska,
introduced herself.
3:33:08 PM
DEB RIDDLE, Operations Manager, Division of Innovation and
Education Excellence, Department of Education and Early
Development (DEED), Juneau, Alaska, introduced herself.
MS. CARSON stated DEED fiscal note for SB 97, OMB Component
Number 2796, dated March 1, 2024, shows the cost associated with
the temporary three-year program to make lump sum payments as a
retention and recruitment incentive to eligible full-time
public-school teachers. It is estimated that SB 97 would require
one nonpermanent education associate, Range 17, Step B/C. The
position would start in FY 24 to implement the program, develop
regulations and applications, and review applications. Ongoing
department chargeback costs associated with the positions would
be $16.5 annually. In FY 24, a one-time cost of $5,000 for the
position would be needed to purchase equipment and supplies; as
well as a one-time cost of $6,000 for legal services costs
associated with regulation development. The total cost to the
department in salary and benefits in FY 25 is $61.5 million.
3:35:10 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON asked for clarification regarding which
fiscal note was under discussion.
3:35:34 PM
MS. CARSON apologized and explained there was a recent
misunderstanding in the development of the fiscal note.
3:35:45 PM
SENATOR KIEHL asked if the extra supplemental cost of $126,000
is to hire the one position.
MS. CARSON replied yes. It also includes the one-time cost for
FY 25.
SENATOR KIEHL said there was an earlier version of the fiscal
note. He said this version mentions the employer contribution to
Teacher Retirement System (TRS) of 12.56 percent. He asked if
the administration would change SB 97 to match the fiscal note.
3:37:19 PM
MS. CARSON stated she would need to follow up and provide an
answer to the committee in writing.
3:37:35 PM
CHAIR TOBIN asked if the department plans to fill the position
this year.
MS. RIDDLE replied that the state struggles to hire teachers but
does not have difficulty hiring education associate positions.
CHAIR TOBIN asked if the position would handle appeals and for
an explanation of the appeal process.
MS. RIDDLE stated her belief that the position would take
appeals and then receive assistance from higher ranking
employees. The process would be laid out in regulation.
3:39:02 PM
SENATOR KIEHL said the commissioner previously testified that
the bonus would occur in two pay outs. He asked what would
happen if a teacher failed to complete a year contract.
3:39:43 PM
MS. CARSON deferred the question to Commissioner Bishop.
3:39:51 PM
COMMISSIONER BISHOP replied that was not a consideration in
fiscal note OMB 2796; it was based on all teachers completing
the year. The fiscal note is the maximum amount needed if all
teachers stayed. If some teachers did not stay, there would be
remaining funds.
3:40:25 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON stated the bonus does not apply to
classified staff. She asked if there was concern that SB 97
would affect employee morale.
3:40:49 PM
MS. RIDDLE deferred the question to Commissioner Bishop.
3:40:53 PM
COMMISSIONER BISHOP replied morale is always a concern. However,
the focus of SB 97 was to make teaching in Alaska more
competitive with other states. SB 97 would allow districts to
continue their own work to incentivize employees. She noted that
in the past incentives were given to staff but not teachers. She
opined that if the program works other avenues might become
available to increase the salaries of other educational
professions statewide.
3:41:58 PM
CHAIR TOBIN asked if the administration expects districts to
match the lump sum amount for classified staff.
3:42:19 PM
COMMISSIONER BISHOP replied there is variance among teacher and
classified staff salaries. The state does not have an
expectation for districts. Districts understand the local market
best.
3:43:00 PM
CHAIR TOBIN stated that from previous testimony the
administration would like analysis done by a third party to
determine the effectiveness of the program. She stated her
understanding that the cost of the analysis is not included in
the fiscal note. She asked if the administration plans to
analysis data from the three-year program.
COMMISSIONER BISHOP replied that the administration plans to
analyze the program. She said the department has current
contracts with Region 16 and Education Northwest that it can
engage with to do surveys and studies.
CHAIR TOBIN asked if the administration anticipates handling the
analysis using existing contracts.
COMMISSIONER BISHOP replied yes.
3:45:32 PM
CHAIR TOBIN announced public testimony on SB 97.
3:45:47 PM
SUSAN RITTER, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in
opposition to SB 97. She gave a brief work history as a teacher
and stated that SB 97 targets specific individuals rather than
all school employees. She said research shows that bonuses do
not retain teachers long-term. She explained that bonuses might
give teachers a short-term incentive, but many still leave for
states with pensions. She suggested that contacting teachers
about paying off their debt might be a more effective retention
strategy. She emphasized that SB 97 could create division among
educators and support staff. She argued that teachers need
defined benefits and an increase to the Base Student Allocation
(BSA) for meaningful improvement.
3:48:11 PM
EMILY MOODY, representing self, Cordova, Alaska, testified in
opposition to SB 97. She said that the only way to retain
teachers in Alaska is to provide a defined benefit plan. She
described the proposed three-year bonus as an expensive band-aid
that will not effectively retain teachers. She argued that
teachers are likely to leave after three years, despite the
bonus they receive. Alaska needs a long-term solution.
3:50:24 PM
SAMUEL ABNEY, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 97. He stated that it is easy to determine who
would benefit from the SB 97, specifying that certified teachers
completing a year of work would receive a bonus of $5,000,
$10,000, or $15,000. He acknowledged that no perfect solution
exists for incentivizing teacher recruitment and retention. He
emphasized the shortage of students becoming teachers, leading
to reliance on foreign educators. He argued that any funds
available from a Republican governor should be accepted,
referencing President Obama's comment that "you can't make the
possible the enemy of the perfect." He disagreed with claims
that bonuses would create animosity among school staff.
3:53:25 PM
ANDY HOLLEMAN, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified
in opposition to SB 97. He suggested that if the state has funds
for a bonus incentivization experiment, it should conduct
different trials across districts to determine the most
effective plan, rather than relying on a single approach. He
expressed concern that SB 97 politicizes teachers' salaries in
Alaska, as it only provides bonuses for three years without
guaranteeing future district funding if the program succeeds. He
noted the uncertainty regarding what future governors might do,
regardless of outcomes. He added that the politicization of
education is problematic and that teachers should focus on their
classrooms rather than lobbying. He urged for local control,
smaller class sizes, and additional resources like aides to
support effective teaching.
3:55:15 PM
CHAIR TOBIN closed public testimony on SB 97.
3:56:18 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Tobi adjourned the Senate Education Standing Committee
meeting at 3:56 p.m.
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