Legislature(2013 - 2014)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/14/2014 08:00 AM Senate EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| SB100 | |
| Start | |
| SB139 | |
| SB100 | |
| SB139 | |
| SB208 | |
| SB113 | |
| SB147 | |
| SB100 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 139 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 113 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 100 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| = | SB 147 | ||
| = | SB 208 | ||
SB 147-BASE STUDENT ALLOCATION
9:30:41 AM
CHAIR STEVENS announced the consideration of SB 147. He noted
Version U committee substitute (CS) was before the committee.
9:31:09 AM
THOMAS PRESLEY, Staff, Senator Berta Gardner, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented information related to SB
147 on behalf of the sponsor. He said there were no changes to
Version U since the first hearing of it. He explained that the
bill changes the formula foundation to say that the BSA is
increased by $404 on a per student basis. It ties future
increases to the Anchorage Consumer Price Index.
CHAIR STEVENS requested comments from the Department of
Education and Early Development (DEED).
MICHAEL HANLEY, Commissioner, Department of Education and Early
Development (DEED), Juneau, Alaska, presented information
related to SB 147. He said the Governor has put three years of
modest increments in SB 139, which recognizes Alaska's current
fiscal situation. He said the department supports the Governor's
bill.
CHAIR STEVENS opened public testimony.
9:33:16 AM
KATIE OLIVER, President, Kodiak Island School Board, Kodiak,
Alaska, testified in support of SB 147. She described the Kodiak
district and the results of four years of flat funding of the
BSA. She detailed the successes of the school district. She said
the $404 increase would eliminate the deficit and prevent cuts
in staff and programs. She opined that the $85 BSA increase, as
seen in SB 139, would not accomplish those things. The annual
adjustment for inflation included in SB 147 would bring a much
needed level of predictability for the budget development
process.
9:36:11 AM
MIKE COONS, representing himself, Palmer, Alaska, testified in
opposition to SB 147. He questioned where the monies would come
from. He agreed with Senator Dunleavy that funds should not be
spent on adult education. He agreed with Senator Stedman's
comment that inflation proofing violates the constitution. He
applauded the cuts the Anchorage District is making. He
addressed teacher/student ratio. He testified in support of the
BSA increase in SB 139.
9:40:01 AM
DEBBIE EDWARDSON, President, North Slope Borough School District
Board, Barrow, Alaska, testified in support of SB 147. She
described the effects of flat funding on the district. She
talked about rising costs of living and the costs of education
in Barrow. She shared a personal perspective. She related the
successes and needs of the district. She projected a $622,000
deficit for the upcoming fiscal year. She requested that the
legislature increase the BSA by a minimum of $250 per student in
order to continue to provide a high quality of education for
children.
9:44:42 AM
CHAIR STEVENS closed public testimony and held SB 147 in
committee.