Legislature(1997 - 1998)
02/04/1998 09:00 AM Senate HES
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SCR 19 - PROTOTYPE SCHOOL DESIGN
SENATOR LEMAN moved to adopt CSSCR 19(HES), version B, as the
working document of the committee. There being no objection, the
motion carried.
CHAIRMAN WILKEN explained the changes made in the committee
substitute as follows.
-On page 1, line 6, the word "critical" was changed to
"crucial," and lines 14 and 15 contain some style changes for
names.
-On page 2, lines 1 through 6 contain suggestions submitted by
Mr. Mackler, and line 7 addresses subarctic and arctic
environments.
-On page 2, lines 13 through 16 specify that the resolution is
limited to K-6 schools and requires that engineering and
design professionals who reside within the State are consulted
on the prototype designs.
-On line 19, language was added to require that the Bond
Reimbursement and Grant Review Committee be consulted, and
language on lines 23 through 26 allows for the use of
prototype components in designs when complete prototype
designs are unsuitable.
SENATOR LEMAN stated he would prefer the resolve clause, on page 2,
lines 13 - 17, to request the Governor to direct the Department of
Education (DOE) to evaluate the advisability of the use of
prototype school designs, because DOE has concluded, from past
experience, that a statewide application may be inappropriate. He
believed it is totally appropriate for individual school districts
to develop prototype designs for their own use. He suggested the
following language changes:
- on line 15, insert the word "architecture" before "design
professionals;
- on line 16, change "climate and conditions" to "climatic
conditions".
Number 140
SENATOR ELLIS said he supports the last change suggested by Senator
Leman because that language covers a concern raised in previous
testimony about seismic conditions. He questioned whether other
types of design professionals will be excluded if the term
"engineering and architect design professionals" is used. SENATOR
LEMAN said he was not aware of any, but asked participants to let
him know.
MIKE MORGAN, Facilities Manager for DOE, thought Senator Leman's
language covers the full spectrum of engineering and architectural
services. SENATOR LEMAN said specialties, such as corrosion and
acoustics, would be covered within that language.
SENATOR ELLIS suggested using the phrase "statewide association of
design professionals" instead to guarantee that DOE gets a wider
geographical perspective. Otherwise, DOE could meet the
requirement by consulting with one engineer and one architect.
SENATOR ELLIS also questioned why the resolution specifies that
prototypical designs be developed for K-6 schools only.
CHAIRMAN WILKEN answered that junior highs and high schools are
programmatically much more difficult to build and much more
demanding. Most elementary schools offer the same core programs.
If this effort is successful, it can be expanded to junior and high
schools.
MR. MORGAN agreed that K-6 school programs are more uniform and
explained there is no state or national definition of the middle
school format. Grades can range from 5-7, 6-8, or 7-9. As the
grade levels change, program needs change. At the high school
level, programs are structured in a variety of ways, which affects
designs. One factor that made the Fairbanks prototype design a
success is that the school district applied a uniform educational
specification to all of the schools.
Number 207
SENATOR ELLIS questioned whether the phrase "core school functions"
is in the committee substitute. SHEILA PETERSON, committee aide,
answered that phrase was replaced by K-6.
SENATOR ELLIS asked Senator Leman his opinion on whether to go with
his original suggestion or to include the phrase "association of
design professionals." SENATOR LEMAN said it did not make a
difference to him; his intent was to incorporate the community of
architects and engineers involved in the consultation, when design
information is solicited.
MR. MORGAN said DOE would want to gather a full range of input on
this subject, not just information from one or two professionals.
DOE would need input from design professionals in at least the
three major areas of the State: Southeast, Anchorage, and
Fairbanks, where there are concentrations of those professionals.
CHAIRMAN WILKEN asked if anyone would be excluded if the resolution
references the statewide association. SENATOR LEMAN said he did
not think so. The American Society of Civil Engineers has a
statewide association which is broken down into different regions.
He assumed DOE would consult by region.
CHAIRMAN WILKEN said that concept would be developed and
incorporated into a new committee substitute.
SENATOR ELLIS noted his suggested language would be "for grades K-6
in consultation with statewide associations for engineering and
architecture design professionals." CHAIRMAN WILKEN asked if
Senator Ellis was making a motion. SENATOR ELLIS said not
necessarily, but requested the committee mull it over. CHAIRMAN
WILKEN asked if there was any objection from the committee to
Senator Ellis' suggested language. MR. MORGAN asked if that
language would limit consultations to associations and prevent
direct queries to firms. He assumed DOE would want to do both.
SENATOR LEMAN agreed with Mr. Morgan's concern. CHAIRMAN WILKEN
said that language will be cleaned up and incorporated into a new
committee substitute.
SENATOR GREEN thought the phrase "who reside in the State" might
have unintended consequences if a firm, operating in the State of
Alaska, had an employee residing outside of the State. She felt
the goal is to find a person who resides in the State and is
familiar with local conditions. CHAIRMAN WILKEN said that will be
taken into consideration in the new committee substitute.
MR. MORGAN said he had no further testimony and that DOE supports
the bill.
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