Legislature(2017 - 2018)SENATE FINANCE 532
02/15/2018 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB144 | |
| Presentation: Fy19 Operating Budget | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 144 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE BILL NO. 144
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government and for
certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending
appropriations; making supplemental appropriations;
making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c),
Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the
constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for
an effective date."
9:03:23 AM
^PRESENTATION: FY19 OPERATING BUDGET
9:03:25 AM
MICHAEL JOHNSON, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND
EARLY DEVELOPMENT, (DEED) offered a prayer for the victims
of the school shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in
Parkland, Florida.
9:04:28 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman expressed appreciation for the prayer and
recalled the school shooting at the Bethel Regional High
School in 1997.
9:05:20 AM
SANA EFIRD, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT, introduced herself.
HEIDI TESHNER, DIRECTOR, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES,
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON, introduced herself.
Commissioner Johnson discussed the presentation, "Alaska
Department of Education and Early Development FY2019
Governor's Budget Overview Senate Finance Committee" (copy
on file).
9:05:47 AM
Commissioner Johnson addressed Slide 2, "Alaska State
Constitution Alaska Statutes":
?Alaska Constitution Section 7.1 Public Education
The legislature shall by general law establish and
maintain a system of public schools open to all
children of the State, and may provide for other
public educational institutions. Schools and
institutions so established shall be free from
sectarian control. No money shall be paid from public
funds for the direct benefit of any religious or other
private educational institution.
?State Education Policy: AS 14.03.015
It is the policy of this state that the purpose of
education is to help ensure that all students will
succeed in their education and work, shape worthwhile
and satisfying lives for themselves, exemplify the
best values of society, and be effective in improving
the character and quality of the world about them.
Department Mission: To ensure standards-based
instruction to improve academic achievement for all
students.
Key Functions: Fund, provide oversight and support,
set standards, assess students towards standards.
Governing Statutes Alaska Statutes Title 14
Commissioner Johnson highlighted Slide 3, "Alaska's Mission
and Vision for Public Education":
Mission Statement
An excellent education for every student every day.
Vision Statement
All students can succeed in their education and work,
shape worthwhile and satisfying lives for themselves,
exemplify the best values of society, and be effective
in improving the character and quality of the world
about them. AS 14.03.015
9:06:54 AM
Commissioner Johnson looked at Slide 4, "Organizational
Chart." The slide showed the current organizational chart
for the department.
9:07:28 AM
Ms. Teshner discussed Slide 5, "Education and Early
Development Budget Compared to All Agencies Budgets." She
noted that the graphs on slides 5 through 10 had been
created by the Division of Legislative Finance and would
provide 10-year look backs. Slide 5 examined the
department's non-formula appropriations:
• The department's non-formula general fund budget
grew by $1.9 million (4.2 percent) between FY09 and
the FY19 Governor's Request - an average annual
growth rate for that period of 0.4 percent.
• The department's total non-formula FY19 general fund
budget equals $139 per resident worker.
• According to the Department of Labor and Workforce
Development, there were 333,583 resident workers in
Alaska in 2015.
Ms. Teshner pointed out to the committee that the general
fund budget for the department was $46,113.8, of which
approximately $32 million was unrestricted and $14 million
was designated. She shared that since FY 15, the non-
formula, unrestricted general fund portion of the budget
had been reduced by $25.3 million. She noted that the
increase in FY 15, as indicated on the slide, was due to
the passage of HB 278, in 2014. The bill added funds for
the college and career readiness assessment, broadband
access grants, and a three-year pilot program for STEM
programs in middle schools.
9:08:26 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon wondered whether the designated general
funds money was coming from the Public School Trust Fund.
Ms. Teshner replied that approximate $4.6 million the non-
formula portion of the budget was from the fund and went to
Mount Edgecumbe High School. She said that the rest was
receipt authority and technical and vocational education
funding.
9:09:03 AM
Ms. Teshner addressed Slide 6, "DEED Formula and Non-
Formula Funding (Non-Retirement)." She said that the slide
provided a technical look back at the formula and no0n-
formula unrestricted and designated general funds. She
highlighted that the formula funds were the largest portion
of the department's budget. She stated that the included in
the formula programs was the foundation program, people
transportation, boarding home grants, special schools,
youth in detention, and the Alaska Performance Scholarship.
Formula funds comprised approximately 96 percent of the
general funds; non-formula was 4 percent.
9:09:44 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman asked when the base student allocation
(BSA) had been last increased.
Ms. Teshner replied that there would be a chart later in
the presentation concerning the BSA but that it had been
increased in 2017.
9:09:58 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon asked about an increase in the FY 15
management plan, with a decrease in FY 16. She asserted
that the BSA had never been decreased and wondered where
the decrease factored into the management plan.
Ms. Teshner responded that the increase in FY15 was the
change between HB 278, the Education Bill that increased
funding for non-formula dollars in the foundation program;
a three-year increase that would only happen for one year.
9:10:41 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon felt that the chart was misleading
because the BSA had never been decreased. She contended
that the chart made it look as if money had been removed
from the BSA.
9:11:14 AM
Vice-Chair Bishop thought that there was a slide further in
the presentation that would clarify the information on
Slide 6.
9:11:29 AM
Ms. Teshner looked at Slide 7, "DEED Non-Formula Line Item
Comparisons." The comparison of department non-formula line
items showed the majority of funding in the "grants" line.
In the FY 19 Governor's requested budget the grants line
comprised 74 percent of the overall non-formulas budget.
The majority of the grants were federal grant programs.
Most of the federal funding was distributed as pass-through
grants to the various school districts. The bar graph
charted the management plan from FY 09 through FY 19 by:
• Grants, Benefits
• Services
• Personal Services
• Travel
• Commodities
• Capital Outlay
• Miscellaneous
9:12:05 AM
Senator von Imhof asked whether the grants were purely
"pass through" or was there an administrative fee taken by
the department.
Ms. Teshner replied that it depended on the grant. She said
that the majority of the grants were pass through but that
some of the grants did allow for a small administrative
percentage.
Senator von Imhof queried the definition of "small amount."
Ms. Teshner responded that it would depend on the grant.
She offered to follow up with the committee on the
information. She believed the number was anywhere from 2 to
5 percent.
9:12:47 AM
Ms. Teshner continued to discuss slide 7. She noted that
the two spikes on the chart, in FY 10 and in FY 12, were
attributed to American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
funding and the Broadband Technology Opportunity Grants,
respectively.
9:13:06 AM
Ms. Teshner highlighted Slide 8, "Department of Education
and Early Development Non-Formula Budget Comparisons (by
Appropriations)." The slide provided a 10-year look back of
the non-formula appropriations, broken down by
appropriation for all fund sources. The majority of non-
formula funding in the department was federal grant funding
that went out to grants to school districts from the
Education Support and Administrative Services appropriation
(blue line).
9:13:56 AM
Ms. Teshner displayed Slide 9, "Department of Education and
Early Development Non-Formula Budget Comparisons (by
Appropriations)." The slide illustrated a 10-year look back
of non-formula appropriations broken down by appropriation
for unrestricted and general funds only. The pink line
reflected Education Support Services and received the
largest unrestricted and designated funds when compared to
other non-formula appropriations. She said that the
increased from FY 09 to FY 13 included funding for the
Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP), Best
Beginnings, and Parents as Teachers. She said that the
reductions from FY 15 to FY 17 were contributed to the
repeal of the High School Education Qualifying Exam and
reductions in personal services and budgeted positions.
9:14:50 AM
Ms. Teshner looked at Slide 10, "K-12 Aid to School
Districts (Formula, All Funds)."
9:15:05 AM
Ms. Teshner discussed Slide 11, "FY2019 Governor's Budget."
The table at the top of the slide broke down the
department's budget between the K-12 formula programs and
the agency and program operations. The FY 19 budget for the
department, for all fund sources, was approximately $1.6
billion. She said that the designated general funds
received by the department were the general fund program
receipts, funding from the Alaska Higher Education
Investment Fund, and the Technology and Vocational
Education Program. She continued that unrestricted funds
included general funds, general fund match, and the general
fund mental health funding. She furthered that federal
funding consisted of impact aid, special schools, the
United States Department of Education Title Program (Title
1 and Title 2.a), Carl Perkins funding, child and adult
care food program, and the National School Lunch Program.
9:15:56 AM
Vice-Chair Bishop asked about the Title 1 funding. He
wondered whether the Title 1 funding for school lunch
programs were in jeopardy of reductions due to the
administration on the national level.
Commissioner Johnson replied that he had not seen any
recent plans to cut child nutrition or Title 1.a programs.
He noted that the President's budget currently eliminated
Title 2.a, which provided much needed money to many Alaskan
districts for professional development.
9:17:08 AM
Senator von Imhof asked how much money the state received
in Title 2.a funding.
Ms. Efird replied that the state received approximately $9
million under Title 2.a.
9:18:18 AM
Senator von Imhof characterized the idea of districts
losing the Title 2.a funding as "disturbing."
9:18:38 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon made a formal request of the possible
Title 2 loss and how it would financially impact districts.
9:19:12 AM
Ms. Teshner continued to discuss Slide 11. She stated that
the other funds in the department's budget were the Public
School Trust Fund funding, interagency receipt
authorization, Mental Health Trust Authority authorized
receipts, and statutory designated program receipts. She
noted that the pie chart at the bottom of the slide was a
break out of the fund sources, broken down.
9:19:24 AM
Ms. Teshner announced that Slides 12 through 15 would
provide a breakdown of results delivery units, by
component; by fund source. She looked at Slide 12, "FY2019
Governor's Budget." The slide contained K-12 Formula
Programs:
K-12 Aid to School Districts
Foundation Program
Pupil Transportation
K-12 Support
Boarding Home Grants
Youth in Dentition
Special Schools
She noted that the funding for the Foundation program was
comprised of unrestricted general funds, federal funding,
and Public School Trust Fund funding. All other programs
listed were funded solely by unrestricted general funds.
9:20:09 AM
Ms. Teshner highlighted slide 13, "FY2019 Governor's
Budget." The slide contained numbers for K-12 Education
Support and Administrative Services (ESAS). She noted the
amount of federal funding for Child Nutrition and Student
and School Achievement.
9:20:36 AM
Ms. Teshner discussed Slide 14, "FY2019 Governor's Budget."
The slide was a continuation of the agency and program
operations.
Co-Chair Hoffman asked how the swimming pool at Mount
Edgecumbe was addressed in the budget.
Ms. Teshner said she would discuss the pool further on in
the presentation.
Senator von Imhof queried the difference in allocation from
last year's budget to this year's budget in department
programs.
Ms. Teshner said that most of the allocations were the
same. She stated that any differences would be covered
further in the presentation under "Budget Highlights."
9:22:51 AM
Ms. Teshner looked at Slide 15, "FY2019 Governor's Budget."
9:23:21 AM
Ms. Teshner addressed Slide 16, "FY2019 Governor's Budget
by Structure." The slide reflected that K-12 programs were
over $1.3 billion and 79.9 percent of the department's
budget, followed by ESAS.
9:23:44 AM
Senator von Imhof asked when the last time the formula was
reviewed.
Ms. Teshner replied that there had been subtle changes to
the formula throughout the years but that the last time it
had been changed was in 1999.
Co-Chair MacKinnon interjected that that was not accurate.
Senator von Imhof asked whether a review of formula funding
should be conducted and whether the formula should be
reviewed every decade, coinciding with the national census.
Commissioner Johnson understood that the fundamental
structure of the current formula had been created in 1999,
and that changes had been made to the structure since that
time. He felt that the world had changed significantly
since 1999 and felt that the formula should be reviewed to
assess whether the formula could address delivery methods
of education that had not existed in 1999.
Senator von Imhof wondered about having a regular review of
the formula.
Commissioner Johnson thought that the idea could be
considered.
9:26:32 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon asserted that a review had been
conducted since she had been elected to the legislature in
2007, she said that there had been two increases to the BSA
since then, as well as some "tweaking" that increased the
calculation for students with disabilities.
9:27:23 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman understood that in 1999 there had been
three different factors considered and increased.
Commissioner Johnson said that he would need to look into
the issue and respond to the committee later.
9:27:52 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman recalled the three factors specifically
because he had been involved at the time. He declined to
enlighten the committee as to what those factors were.
9:28:10 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon pointed out to the committee that that
the department was working hard to provide education for
Alaskans but that most of the money that the legislature
allocated to invest in K-12 education was distributed to
local communities, who then decided how the funds should be
spent. She said that the formula written in statute limited
the opportunities for encouraging different spending
behaviors among districts.
Commissioner Johnson agreed. He countered that although the
department had very limited authority, there was still
significant opportunity to effect change. He said that he
had worked to inspire a demand for great schools across the
entire state.
9:30:04 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon noted that education comprised a
significant portion of the general fund spending in the
state's budget.
9:30:56 AM
Senator Stevens said that the foundation formula was
complex and difficult to understand. He thought that the
possibility of revisiting the formula and making changes
would be an enormous and time-consuming undertaking.
9:31:55 AM
Ms. Teshner looked at Slide 17, "FY2019 Governor's Budget
by Line Item." She pointed out to the committee that over
$1.5 billion of the department's budget was Grants;
approximately $32 million was Personal Services; $51.2 was
Other Lines (travel services and commodities).
9:32:31 AM
Ms. Teshner discussed Slide 18, ""FY2019 Governor's Budget
by Line Item (UGF only)." The total unrestricted general
fund budget was $1,379,867.4; $10,284.4 in Personal
Services; $9,516.7 in Other Lines (travel services and
commodities).
9:33:02 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman requested a brief report on the funding
for Kindergarten.
Ms. Efird replied that those numbers would be discussed
further in the presentation.
9:33:36 AM
Senator von Imhof spoke of an audit of the department from
several years ago. She wondered whether the speakers were
prepared to discuss the findings of that audit.
9:34:26 AM
Senator Micciche commented on semantics when discussing big
numbers. He expressed concern that people would thing that
the committee did not value education.
Ms. Teshner said that a pencil chart further in the
presentation would show the actual BSA amount and would
hopefully clarify the issue for constituents.
9:36:11 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon said that it would be helpful to clarify
the information on Slide 6.
9:38:58 AM
Senator Micciche wondered whether the department had
considered looking into BSA changes and conducting
evaluations of education disparate spending by district.
Commissioner Johnson understood that there were many
educators int eh state that were grateful to the Governor
and the Legislature for fully funding the BSA. He
appreciated the slide notations and feedback from the
committee. He felt that there were districts that wanted to
revamp the formula and those that did not, he believed that
considering how education was delivered in the state the
basic structure of the formula should be reviewed.
9:41:31 AM
Senator Micciche felt that the conversation would continue
in the future.
9:42:19 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman shared that he was part of the legislature
when changes were made in 1999. He said that the process
between smaller and larger communities had been cordial but
difficult.
9:42:59 AM
Vice-Chair Bishop wondered whether any ideas for education
funding had resulted from the Education Challenge Survey.
Commissioner Johnson replied that the survey allowed people
a limited number of characters to share their comments. He
said that the survey had taken place a year ago and at that
time many of the comments were to sustain or increase
funding for education. He stated that people got "antsy"
when discussing the formula and how it worked for their
individual districts.
9:44:29 AM
Senator Stevens understood that the formula did not allow
for any districts to fall below the costs for Anchorage. He
wondered whether there were districts in the state that
were less expensive to fund than Anchorage.
Commissioner Johnson responded that there were no districts
that were less expensive than Anchorage.
9:45:46 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon noted that there were differences of
opinion on that point, which was why people were coming to
the Anchorage delegation for discussion of the issue. She
said that the problem for the Anchorage school district was
the issue of square footage and the negative impacts of the
current formula when migrating schools together because of
a reduced population.
9:47:57 AM
Senator Micciche believed that more efficiencies could
mined in the formula.
9:49:38 AM
Senator von Imhof spoke of the variable in the fluctuating
cost of living for many areas of the state. She asked the
department to work with the Legislature on looking into
making changes to the BSA. She said that the school size
cost factor was a significant deterrent to consolidations
and efficiencies in the state.
9:51:25 AM
Ms. Teshner addressed Slide 19, ""FY2019 Governor's Budget
- Position." In 2018 the department will employ 283
Alaskans in full-time, part-time, and non-permanent
positions in 3 locations: Juneau, Anchorage, and Sitka. She
stated that ESAS was the largest portion of the budgeted
positions at 93, followed by the Alaska Commission on
Postsecondary Education (ACPE) at 82 positions. She relayed
that the smallest component of the budget was the
Professional Teaching Practices Commission (PTPC) at 1
full-time position.
9:52:20 AM
Senator Stevens requested further information about
reductions in budgeted positions.
Ms. Teshner stated that since the FY 15 management plan,
the number of budgeted positions had been reduced
departmentwide by 81 positions or 22 percent.
9:52:51 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon asked about the level of positive return
in education value based on the 93 staff positions of the
ESAS.
Commissioner Johnson shared that the majority of the ESAS
positions were federally funded. He felt that there were
both specific examples of successes and unachieved goals
statewide. He expressed optimism with the state's plan for
the Every Student Succeeds Act.
9:54:25 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon asked whether there would be criteria
for measurable goals that could be referenced for improved
student outcomes.
Commissioner Johnson replied that the Every Student
Succeeds Act included specific goals for academic
achievement and graduation rate. He explained that the
goals were spread out over a number of years and then
divided up to be measured year by year for progress. He
relayed that the department had received positive feedback
for the work done so far and hoped to extend the range of
impact to other districts.
9:56:42 AM
Ms. Teshner highlighted Slide 20, "FY2019 Governor's Budget
Highlights":
?Foundation
?Fully funded at the statutory Base Student
Allocation (BSA) of $5,930; Total: $1,215,805.8
?Pupil Transportation
?Fully funded based on statutory formula; Total:
$78,184.6
?Special Schools
?($5.7) UGF decrement for the Special Education
Service Agency (SESA) based on statutory formula
?Information Services
?Transfer 3 PFT positions to Department of
Administration for Centralized Office of
Information Technology Implementation
?Student and School Achievement
?$100.0 UGF one-time increment for developing,
updating, and adopting new science standards
?Early Learning Coordination
?$1,200.0 UGF base-budget increment to restore
funding for additional early learning program
support
9:58:29 AM
Senator Stevens asked about the $100.0 UGF for Student and
School Achievement, which he understood was a requirement
under the Education Skills and Funding Agency (EFSA). He
wondered how the money would be spent.
Ms. Efird replied that the money would go to provide the
required academic standards in English, Language Arts,
Math, and Science. She furthered that the funding would be
used to understand and manage the standard adoptions
process.
10:01:16 AM
Senator Stevens understood that failure to meet the EFSA
requirements would result in decreased federal funding.
Ms. Efird responded that there could be several penalties
that could include a loss of federal funding.
10:01:51 AM
Senator von Imhof thought that standardized test scores
from student in the state should be in the presentation to
reflect how the EFSA standards were translating to academic
performance.
Ms. Efird stated that the information could be provided
later.
10:03:16 AM
Ms. Teshner discussed Slide 21, "FY2019 Governor's Budget
Highlights":
?Mt. Edgecumbe Boarding School Facilities Maintenance-
?New component (was part of State Facilities
Maintenance)
?Transfer 7 PFT positions to Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities, Division of
Facilities Services for centralized facility
services
?Library Operations
?($135.9) DGF decrement to reduce the School
Broadband Access Grants (School BAG) program to
align budget with anticipated expenditures
?Museum Operations
?($105.6) UGF reduction as a result of
elimination of the Museum Grant-In-Aid Program
?Andrew P. Kashevaroff Facilities Maintenance
?New component (was part of Library Operations)
10:05:14 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman asked where the Andrew P. Kashevaroff
Building was located.
Ms. Teshner relayed that it was the new State Library and
Archives Building in Juneau.
10:05:30 AM
Ms. Teshner continued to discuss Slide 21:
?WWAMI Medical Education
?$81.6 DGF increment request for projected
increase in the WWAMI contractual obligation
10:05:41 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon expressed interest in the decrement for
school broadband access grants. She related that the
national standard for moving information on the internet
was 100 megabits. She said that Alaska's current standard
was 25 megabits. She wondered whether the grant amount was
being reduced because of statute.
Ms. Teshner said that statute set the standards at 10
megabits
10:06:34 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon mentioned that she had crafted
legislation that would increase the standard in statute.
10:06:53 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman interjected that the issue was further
complicated by the funds being matched $1 to $9 with
federal funds.
Co-Chair MacKinnon clarified the match was $1 to $7 and
depended on location. Some smaller schools had different
rates.
10:07:21 AM
Vice-Chair Bishop understood that the decrement was due to
the lowering of the overall cost of broadband.
Ms. Teshner replied in the affirmative.
10:07:36 AM
Vice-Chair Bishop thought that the net neutrality issue
should be considered as it could lead to a future increase
in cost.
10:08:07 AM
Senator Stevens reiterated his appreciation for the WWAMMI
program. He wondered how many doctors the state achieved in
bringing back to Alaska to practice.
Commissioner Johnson agreed to provide that information
later.
10:09:01 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon spoke of the possible removal of Title 2
funding from the federal budget and wondered whether it
would affect funding for broadband access.
Commissioner Johnson said that he had not received any
information specifically related to cuts to broadband
funding.
10:10:02 AM
Ms. Efird asked Co-Chair Hoffman if he would like to
address the early learning question her ad asked earlier in
the meeting.
Co-Chair Hoffman replied that he could wait for future
slides.
10:10:22 AM
Ms. Efird explained that Slide 20 highlighted the $1,200.0
UGF base-budget increment to restore funding for additional
early learning program support under the bullet "Early
Learning Coordination." She explained that the funding for
early learning consisted of $6.8 million for Head Start
Grants. She relayed that the department originally had $2
million for pre-elementary grants in the budget, last year
a Legislative $1.2 million was added to continue funding
under the Moore lawsuit settlement (see Moore v. State of
Alaska), the FY19 budget request of $1.2 million would be
added to the $2 million, resulting in $3.2 million for pre-
elementary grants. She added that there was $500 thousand
for the Parents as Teachers Program, $320 thousand for Best
Beginnings, and other small grants for technical
assistance.
10:11:38 AM
Ms. Teshner highlighted Slide 22, "FY2018 Supplemental
Items":
?Mt. Edgecumbe Boarding School
?$400.0 DGF (municipal capital project matching
grant fund) support for the operations and
maintenance costs of the Mt. Edgecumbe High
School Aquatic Center from the opening in FY2018
through FY2019.
?Executive Administration
?Extend the multi-year appropriation to support
the implementation of the Every Student Succeeds
Act (ESSA) funding into FY2019. Current funding
is scheduled to terminate at the end of FY2018,
however the department is still awaiting ESSA
revisions from the federal government and is
still in the implementation phase.
10:12:30 AM
Senator von Imhof understood that the second bullet point
was an extension and not new money.
Ms. Teshner replied in the affirmative.
10:12:48 AM
Ms. Teshner looked at Slide 23, "Budget Changes (FY2015
FY2019)." The slide provided the committee with budget
history from the FY15 budget management plan through FY 19
Governor's budget. She said that the top of the slide
contained all funds, broken down between formula and non-
formula spending. She noted that there had been a $62.6
million decrease, or 3.7 percent, for all funds. The bottom
of the slide reflected UGF only, which showed an 8.2
percent reduction, or $114,911.7, over the same period. She
noted that the non-formula portion had been reduced by 44.2
percent.
10:13:42 AM
Ms. Teshner highlighted Slide 24, "Position Changes (FY2015
FY2019)." She reiterated that 81 positions had been
eliminated, or 22.3 percent.
10:14:03 AM
Senator Micciche asked how the position decrease had
impacted the department.
Commissioner Johnson responded that all content curriculum
related positions had been eliminated. He furthered that
the department was stretched financially and when positions
became vacant, a backlog was created without a margin for
error due to the loss of positions.
10:15:11 AM
Senator Micciche understood that districts had been picking
up the slack and he asserted that graduation rates in
certain districts had improved. He wondered whether
districts were taking more ownership of certain services,
to positive outcomes.
Commissioner Johnson responded that he did not have data to
support a direct correlation between less people working in
education and increased results in school districts. He
offered that challenging times were an opportunity for
districts and the department to rethink efficiency of
service delivery.
10:16:40 AM
Senator Stevens thought that some districts were picking up
the slack and some were not. He highlighted that some
districts could not function without the help of the
department.
10:17:02 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon pointed out that the senate had advanced
a bill the previous year that would have added funds to the
department to conduct curriculum review for the entire
state. The bill would also have changed statute pertaining
to powers of the Board of Education. She spoke of several
ideas that the bill considered and that would be
reconsidered by the committee.
10:18:48 AM
Senator von Imhof recalled previous discussions about
curriculum and the department's lack of funding and
positions. She believed that the department should be a
priority over other departmental functions.
Commissioner Johnson said that the legislation that Co-
Chair MacKinnon spoke of was a good way of leveraging
curriculum in an efficient manner to yield positive result
throughout the state. He agreed that curriculum should be a
priority for the department. He thought that positive work
was currently being done.
10:21:31 AM
Ms. Teshner addressed Slide 25, "Alaska K-12 Funding." The
slide contained the pencil chart that showed the BSA from
FY09 to FY19.
10:21:57 AM
Ms. Teshner looked at Slide 26, "Average Daily Membership
(ADM) History." The slide showed the regular average daily
membership and the correspondence average daily membership
for FY09 through FY19.
10:22:18 AM
Commissioner Johnson discussed Slide 27, "Alaska Education
Challenge":
• State Board of Education Strategic
• Governor's State of the State
• Survey of Alaskans (separate attachment)
• Development of committees around strategic
priorities
• Process
• Report and Recommendations
The slide offered a Venn diagram based on an excellent
education being provided for every student that included:
• Increase Student Success
o Success will be identified using multiple
measures as part of a rich and varies
curriculum.
• Cultivate Safety and Well-Being
o All Schools will be safe and nourish student
well-being.
• Support Responsible and Reflective Learners
o Families, tribes, educators, and communities
will provide relevant learning
opportunities.
10:23:21 AM
Senator Stevens lauded the efforts of the commissioner in
the arena of Alaska's Educational Challenge.
10:24:12 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman asked about self-governance compacting.
Commissioner Johnson shared that one of the recommendations
sent to the state board from the education challenge
committee had been to create the option for self-governance
compacting in the state. He believed that it would allow
the opportunity for health conversations between locally
elected school boards and tribes. He expressed hope that
there would be productive and respectful conversation that
would have a positive impact on school across the state.
10:25:13 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman asked whether the administration had
considered a demonstration project regarding self-
governance compacting.
Commissioner Johnson said that he had been in conversations
with individual school districts to explore already
existing options in statute. He hoped that the
conversations could primarily take place between locally
elected school boards and tribes within those districts.
10:26:09 AM
Ms. Teshner discussed Slide 28, "Mt. Edgecumbe Aquatic
Center." She relayed that there was water in the pool and
that it was expected to be substantially complete by the
end of the week. She said that pool accessories and
additional equipment that would be installed by the end of
March 2018. She stated that the pool should be opened in
mid-April and would be complete by mid-August 2018.
10:27:09 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon asked whether the second pool in Sitka
was up and running.
Ms. Teshner replied yes.
10:28:22 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon queried the population of Sitka, which
would now have 2
Ms. Teshner replied that she did not know the population of
Sitka.
Co-Chair MacKinnon asked whether the state had any
agreement with the city to help fund the new pool.
Ms. Teshner said that conversations with the city were
ongoing.
Co-Chair MacKinnon asked whether it was anticipated that
the city pool would close, leaving the state paying for a
pool for the entire community.
Ms. Teshner said that a plan for the Blatchley Middle
School pool was unknown at this time.
Co-Chair MacKinnon asked when the Blatchley pool had been
built.
Ms. Teshner did not know the age of the pool.
10:28:35 AM
Senator Stevens understood that there were discussions
happening with the city, the Alaska State Troopers, the
United States Coast Guard, and the local hospital
concerning the cost of the new pool.
Ms. Teshner agreed.
10:28:55 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman asked who would make the decision on user
fees for the new facility.
Ms. Teshner replied that the department was working with
the design team from the Department of Transportation and
Public Facilities to develop a tentative schedule and
discuss potential costs.
10:29:52 AM
JANELLE BANASSE, SUPERINTENDENT, MT. EDGECUMBE HIGH SCHOOL
(via teleconference), addressed Slide 29, "Mt. Edgecumbe
Boarding School":
?Students
?422 students October 2015
?403 as of January 2018 95 percent
retention
?113 different home communities
?58 percent Female
?90 percent Alaska Native
?73 percent Free/Reduced Lunch
?11 percent Limited English Proficient
10:31:04 AM
Ms. Banasse highlighted Slide 30, "Mt. Edgecumbe Boarding
School":
?Performance
?2016-2017 School Year 100 graduates
?48 percent qualified for the Alaska Performance
Scholarship (28 percent Collegiate and 20 percent
Vocational)
?2016-2017 Four-Year Graduation Rate: 97.09
percent (Graduate: 100 / Cohort: 103)
?2016-2017 Five-Year Graduation Rate: 100.00
percent (Graduate: 84 / Cohort: 84)
?State of Alaska Report Card to the Public 2016-
2017 for Mt. Edgecumbe separate attachment
?Teacher Retention
?23 teachers employed as of October 2015 of
these, one was new (4.3 percent turnover)
?25 teachers employed as of October 2016 of
these, two were new (8.0 percent turnover)
?27 teachers employed as of October 2017 of
these, four were new (14.8 percent turnover)
10:32:38 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman asked whether there was anything that she
could point to that contributed to the high graduation
rates for Mt. Edgecumbe compared to other schools in the
state.
Ms. Banasse believed that one of the advantages was that
students attended the school by choice and were committed
to their education. She commended the residential staff at
the school for the support they provided. She stressed that
students at the school received strong support in mental
and physical health. She felt that student/teacher
relationships were strong, which resulted in more positive
outcomes. She noted that the school maintained a stable
staff, which fostered long-term student/teacher
relationships.
10:33:59 AM
Senator von Imhof asked how Mt. Edgecumbe faired for
Performance Evaluation for Alaska's Schools (PEAK) testing
for the 2017 school year.
Ms. Banasse said that the test had only been given once and
so hard data was difficult to assess. She stated that the
rates had been low for the first year, but that given that
83 percent of the students that were coming to the school
were not on track to be college ready, the low rates of
PEAK assessment was not surprising for 9th and 10th
graders. She said that the school was accepting that many
student students would come to the school not yet on track
for college and that it was the schools job to give their
students the experiences that would improve student's
prospects for college.
10:35:39 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon wondered whether the student population
had grown with the incre3ased retention of teachers.
Ms. Banasse clarified that two of the teachers listed under
Teacher Retention on Slide 30 were part-time teachers. She
said that the school used Title 1 money and some teacher
worked on a swing shift, working with teachers in the
afternoon and students in the evening during study hours.
She stressed the money used for the increase in teachers
was federal dollars. She countered that the data showed a
significant increase in enrollment over the last 8 years.
10:37:54 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon requested a follow up on the numbers.
She asserted that 4 new teaching staff had been hired,
while enrollment had been flat for the last 10 years.
Ms. Banasse [the recording is unclear for her response]
Co-Chair Hoffman noted that Ms. Banasse's connection was
breaking up.
10:38:57 AM
Ms. Banasse reiterated that the 4 new positions were not 4
new teaching positions.
Co-Chair Hoffman requested her response in writing as the
connection was still poor.
10:39:26 AM
Senator Micciche was also curious about how many teachers
were employed at the school.
10:40:18 AM
Ms. Teshner looked at Slide 31, "Major Maintenance
?Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Grant Application
?Due from School Districts on or before September
1 (annually)
?CIP Application materials are posted on our
website
(https://education.alaska.gov/facilities/faciliti
escip)
?Project Ranking
?Ranked in accordance with criteria in AS 14.11
and 4 AAC 31
10:41:39 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman requested a history of the funding for
major maintenance for the school.
Ms. Teshner agreed to provide the information.
10:42:00 AM
Ms. Teshner continued to discuss Slide 31:
?Eligibility
?Districts must have a six-year plan, a fixed
asset inventory system, adequate property loss
insurance, and a preventive maintenance and
facility management program certified by the
department
?CIP Priority lists
?Initial lists are released on November 5
?Final lists are released after any appeals for
reconsideration are finalized
?FY2019 Major Maintenance List separate attachment
?https://education.alaska.gov/facilities/final/FY
19_MaintenanceFinalList.pdf
10:43:33 AM
Ms. Teshner addressed Slide 32, "Preventive Maintenance and
Facility Management":
?Encourage good stewardship of school facilities
constructed with state aid, part of a school board's
duties per AS 14.14.090(10), and provide for the
development and implementation of a preventive
maintenance and facility management program for school
facilities.
?Preventive maintenance (PM) is defined as "scheduled
maintenance actions that prevent the premature failure
or extend the useful life of a facility, or a
facility's systems and components, and that are cost-
effective on a life-cycle basis."
?AS 14.11.011(b)(4) and AS 14.11.100(j)(5) establish
the elements required in a district's PM plan in order
for a district to be eligible for state aid under AS
14.11. Minimum requirements in the five elements
(reports), listed below, are implemented by 4 AAC
31.013.
?Reports: Maintenance Management Program; Energy
Management Plan; Custodial Program; Maintenance
Training Program; and Renewal and Replacement Schedule
(RandR)
?Certification occurs annually; on-site certification
assessments are made every five years.
?Additional resources available on DEED's website:
https://education.alaska.gov/facilities/PM
10:44:41 AM
Commissioner Johnson thanked the committee for their time
and offered assurances to provide requested information in
a timely manner.
10:45:00 AM
Vice-Chair Bishop commented that a culture of education
should be developed in the state.
10:46:10 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman discussed housekeeping.
SB 144 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 144 021518 FY2019MajorMaintenanceFinalList.pdf |
SFIN 2/15/2018 9:00:00 AM |
SB 144 |
| SB 144 021518 DEED PM Facility Management Overview.pdf |
SFIN 2/15/2018 9:00:00 AM |
SB 144 |
| SB 144 021518 DEED SFIN Budget Overview 2.15.18.pdf |
SFIN 2/15/2018 9:00:00 AM |
SB 144 |
| SB 144 021518 SOA Report Card to the Public for MEHS.pdf |
SFIN 2/15/2018 9:00:00 AM |
SB 144 |
| SB 144 021518 AK Ed Challenge Survey Overview.pdf |
SFIN 2/15/2018 9:00:00 AM |
SB 144 |