Legislature(2011 - 2012)CAPITOL 106
04/04/2011 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation(s): Superintendent Anchorage School District | |
| HB199 | |
| HB198 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 199 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 198 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 199-FUNDING FOR STATE BOARDING SCHOOLS
8:31:22 AM
CHAIR DICK announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 199, "An Act amending the funding for statewide
residential educational programs."
8:32:36 AM
ELIZABETH SWEENEY NUDELMAN, Director, School Finance and
Facilities Section, Department of Education and Early
Development (EED), clarified that the statute covered the
programs that operated for the full school year.
8:33:50 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI asked how the amounts in the statute
were originally established.
8:34:24 AM
MS. NUDELMAN replied that these were stipend rates from another
program.
REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI, noting that the stipend amount would be
determined on a regional basis with an established cap, asked
about money that was granted but was then found to be not
necessary.
8:35:11 AM
MS. NUDELMAN replied that it had never been an issue.
8:35:31 AM
REPRESENTATIVE FEIGE inquired about the actual costs of the
housing and food programs.
8:35:40 AM
MS. NUDELMAN offered to provide the information to the
committee.
REPRESENTATIVE FEIGE stated that, as the programs had been
operating for a number of years, it would be good to have an
understanding of the actual costs.
8:36:47 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON, directing attention to Exhibit F
[Included in members' packets], asked if EED agreed that the
figures provided were accurate.
8:37:57 AM
MS. NUDELMAN said that EED had not reviewed the document, but
she noted that the program costs had continually exceeded the
cost of the stipend.
8:39:06 AM
ERIC GEBHART, Superintendent, Nenana City School District,
directed attention to page 2 of a handout titled "Nenana Student
Living Center 2010 Actual Expenditures [Included in members'
packets]. He pointed out that the revenues and expenses for the
actual amount for 2010 and the budgeted amount for 2011 were
listed side by side. He confirmed the revenue deficiency for
2010 of $704,868, and the projected deficiency in 2011 to be
$819,593.
CHAIR DICK asked where the operating money was obtained.
MR. GEBHART replied that it was from foundation funding, and
local funding from the city, among others.
8:41:19 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRUITT, referring to the budget document being
discussed, noted that the expenses were for nine months, and he
asked how many months the requested stipend would cover.
MR. GEBHART replied that, although nine months were currently
taken, a tenth month would be welcomed and was necessary.
8:42:13 AM
REPRESENTATIVE FEIGE, referring to the budget document, inquired
about the increase in wages, salaries, and benefits.
MR. GEBHART, in response, said that there were increases in
salaries and health insurance, as well as the addition of
another staff.
8:43:07 AM
CHAIR DICK pointed out that staff needs extended beyond the
school year.
8:43:36 AM
REPRESENTATIVE FEIGE, referring to the aforementioned cost
increase for additional staff, asked if the number of students
had also increased.
MR. GEBHART replied that some services were currently not being
met, including the need for a counselor and a certified person
for academic support.
8:44:34 AM
CHAIR DICK reported on his visit to the facility, and said that
he had found it to be a bare bones operation with a need for
additional staff.
8:45:14 AM
CRAIG CULBERT, Assistant Superintendent, Galena City School
District, reporting on the program costs, stated that the food
cost for 255 students was $17,136, of which the state paid about
$5800. He detailed that a four year grant, received through
Senator Lisa Murkowski's office, would most likely not be
renewed.
8:46:27 AM
CHAIR DICK asked about the fuel costs.
MR. CULBERT replied that about $1.1 million worth of fuel had
been donated from the military, but that future costs would also
need to be addressed. This would bring the deficit total to
almost $2 million.
8:47:46 AM
CHAIR DICK agreed that the bill would make time available to
research a long term solution.
MR. CULBERT said that EED had the valid costs for comparison.
8:48:56 AM
CHAIR DICK closed public testimony.
8:49:17 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON moved to adopt Amendment 1, labeled 27-
LS0594\B.1, Mischel, 3/21/11, which read:
Page 1, following line 2:
Insert a new bill section to read:
"* Section 1. AS 14.16.200 is amended by adding a
new subsection to read:
(c) In addition to the programs eligible for
reimbursement of costs under (a) of this section, the
department may approve three district-operated
statewide residential educational programs that began
operating after July 1, 2011, for reimbursement of
costs incurred by the district in operating the
program under regulations adopted by the department."
Page 1, line 3:
Delete "Section 1"
Insert "Sec. 2"
8:49:28 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI objected for discussion.
8:49:33 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON explained that proposed Amendment 1 would
allow a procedure for EED to accept up to three applications and
proposals for full year programs.
8:51:31 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI asked if there were any other boarding
school programs between 2005 and 2011.
8:51:42 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON replied that some residential programs had
been offered but not on a year around basis. He explained that
the proposed amendment removed the restriction for any applicant
who met all the qualifications, but did not require EED to
accept any applications.
8:52:37 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI asked if the specified dates in the
proposed amendment excluded any schools.
8:52:58 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON agreed that there was no intent to
exclude, however, the date in the proposed amendment could be
amended to encompass all the schools.
8:53:29 AM
CHAIR DICK asked if the proposed amendment would affect the
fiscal note and inhibit the bill's passage.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON offered his belief that the proposed
amendment would not cause any changes, but that EED would be
able to better answer.
8:54:41 AM
MS. NUDELMAN opined that the proposed amendment would not
increase the fiscal note, as EED would solicit proposals with
stated criteria.
8:55:56 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON moved to adopt Conceptual Amendment 1 to
proposed Amendment 1, which read:
Page 1, line 6:
Delete "July 1, 2011"
Insert "January 1, 2005"
8:56:26 AM
There being no objection, Conceptual Amendment 1 to proposed
Amendment 1 was passed.
8:56:40 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI removed his objection to proposed
Amendment 1.
8:56:46 AM
REPRESENTATIVE FEIGE asked for an explanation as to how this
would have a zero fiscal note.
8:57:23 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON, in response, said that proposed Amendment
1 merely stated that EED may solicit applications with a process
for approval; hence, it was permissive, but not mandatory,
language. He agreed that a future fiscal note to fund may be
necessary.
8:58:30 AM
The committee took a brief at-ease.
8:59:12 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON moved to adopt Amendment 1, as amended.
9:00:02 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRUITT objected and asked to clarify what was
being added to the bill. He stated that there was no additional
funding, as it merely stated that three more schools could be
approved.
9:00:36 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON explained that proposed Amendment 1
removed the existing statutory restriction for adding eligible
schools. He offered his belief that it should not require re-
titling.
9:01:23 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRUITT asked if the process could lead to
approval prior to FY 2012.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON replied that EED had testified that the
process was lengthy, and that EED would not approve an unfunded
program.
9:02:21 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRUITT opined that a long term outlook would
reflect a return to the current stipend level after 2013.
9:02:50 AM
MS. NUDELMAN explained that, at a future date, if new
residential programs were added to the statute and funded via
appropriation, then the costs would increase.
REPRESENTATIVE PRUITT offered his belief that there were costs
associated with this proposed amendment, even if they did not
occur this year.
9:04:10 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRUITT removed his objection.
The committee took a brief at-ease.
9:04:42 AM
There being no further objection, Amendment 1, as amended, was
passed.
9:05:15 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI acknowledged that there was a current
existing need, but he offered his belief that boarding schools
had not yet been determined to be the best approach to the needs
of Alaska education. He said that he would not oppose the bill.
CHAIR DICK expressed his agreement.
9:06:34 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRUITT moved to report HB 199, as amended, out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 199 (EDC) was
reported from the House Education Standing Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Rep Seaton Conceptual Amendment.pdf |
HEDC 4/4/2011 8:00:00 AM |