Legislature(2023 - 2024)DAVIS 106
03/06/2023 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s)|| University of Alaska Board of Regents | |
| HB71 | |
| HB65 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | HB 71 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 65 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
HB 65-INCREASE BASE STUDENT ALLOCATION
8:47:22 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced that the final order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 65, "An Act relating to education;
increasing the base student allocation; and providing for an
effective date."
8:47:43 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DAN ORTIZ, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, presented HB 65. He reminded the committee that HB 65
would increase the base student allocation (BSA) by $1,250 per
eligible student. He acknowledged the widespread concern across
the districts on which programs may need to be cut if the
legislature is unable to reach a consensus on the need to
provide a significant increase to the BSA. He moved to a
PowerPoint slide, titled "Base Student Allocation History (FY22
dollars),", which is part of a four-page slideshow, showing a
graphic depicting the BSA's history from fiscal year 2005 (FY
05) to FY 24. He pointed out that currently, the BSA is the
lowest it has been in 20 years.
8:50:03 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ moved to a slide, titled "Foundation
Funding plus Additional Formula Funding and Pupil
Transportation, FY05-24 (FY22 dollars)," and he pointed out that
the impacts are the same even when you add the extra outside
funding. He reminded the committee that it is not only
important to reach consensus to raise the BSA, but to do so in
an expeditious manner.
8:53:47 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY questioned if Representative Ortiz and his
staff had done analysis on the BSA and how much would be going
to the fuel and property increases, the fixed costs for
supplies, and what would be available for teacher salaries, and
if there is any initiative for the Alaska Reads Act.
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ directed the question to Ms. Hamp, but
first stated that the issues may be different from district to
district, and everyone is impacted by inflation, but in terms of
specifics he does not have the answer to that question at this
time.
8:56:08 AM
CAROLINE HAMP, Staff, Representative Dan Ortiz, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative Ortiz, prime sponsor of
HB 65, confirmed it differs by district and the fixed costs are
unavoidable.
8:57:05 AM
ELWIN BLACKWELL, School Finance Manager, Department of Education
and Early Development, provided invited testimony in support of
HB 65. He acknowledged that the fixed type costs have been
going up across the state, but as for specific numbers and
percentages, he cannot provide the committee with details at
this time.
8:57:35 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY mentioned a separate fund for pupil
transportation and stated that this might be something to be
increased outside the BSA. She also inquired as to when the
last increase was.
MR. BLACKWELL replied that the last time the adjustments were
made was 2012, there were some CPI adjustments that were applied
in 2015, and there have been no additional increases since.
8:59:07 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked Representative Ortiz if he had
considered adding a two-year provision in the bill that would
"inflation proof the following year." She explained her concern
is sending districts into a "rollercoaster" again after this
year.
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ replied that the bill only addresses FY 24,
but he is open to amendments to the bill and there are a lot of
different options. The main thing is to address the issue.
9:01:05 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD brought up Representative Ortiz' reference to
cutting teachers, and asked what guarantee there is that funds
are going to stay in the classroom.
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ explained that he used the reference about
cutting teachers and staff, because this is what is heard from
the districts. In order for those districts to move forward
without an increase to the BSA, it is unavoidable to not look at
this.
9:06:33 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX questioned if there should there be more
control and accountability at the state level if funding is
going to be provided by the legislature.
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ replied that the legislature needs to
"tread lightly and go slowly" if it thinks that it is in the
state's best interest for students and to have a more managerial
role in how money is being spent at the local level.
9:09:58 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX commented it seems like a flawed concept -
there is a disconnect between the price and demand.
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ stated that [figuring out] the foundation
formula and BSA, and how different factors impact the final
number, is a "tall order" and may not get accomplished in the
current or next session. He stressed that time is of the
essence; the needs of students statewide are not being
maintained.
9:13:19 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX brought up the expense of upgrading Internet
connectivity across the state that could provide a completely
different delivery model of the education service.
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ replied that more broadband across the
state is not a bad thing, but there is very little research and
analysis the past 20 years comparing the impact of online format
learning to direct human connections.
9:17:23 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX commented on the necessity of adapting to
change because there is no guarantee things will continue as is.
He expressed appreciation for Representative Ortiz having
initiated the discussion.
9:19:21 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT said she had read about Alaska funding
schools higher than other states in terms of total contribution.
She asked if counties in the Lower 48 are a funding body or
funding in the Lower 48 is strictly state and local like in
Alaska.
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ replied that he had not done analysis on
that question.
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked for confirmation that Alaska may
spend more per student at the state level, but that it is
possible that in the Lower 48 where there are counties, state
spending is not as great percentage-wise because there is other
funding.
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ mentioned a study, pertaining to the real
level being funded, which showed that when things like cost
differential are factored in, the state comes out "very low."
9:23:09 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE asked if at the current rate of the BSA and
if it were to be increased, it seems there is not a mechanism
currently by which teachers' salaries would be increased.
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ replied he believed strongly that there is,
and most dollars that go to districts go to personnel costs.
However, he cannot guarantee that money is going to go to help
teachers, but he cannot think of a better way to maintain
retention.
9:27:03 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE stated he had been made aware that past
legislatures had "worked themselves" into mandating school
districts to do a lot of different things, and those things have
a cost associated with them. He asked if anything has been done
to help reduce some of the cost burden on school districts.
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ replied no, but he found during his nine
years that there is always "a good task to be put upon our
schools," and "those things do come up." For example, an
unfunded mandate such as the Alaska Reads Act is well-
intentioned and a good overall piece of legislation but puts an
increased financial burden on teachers when they have "enough on
their plates" already. He brought up other examples of unfunded
mandates that exhibited good intentions.
9:30:39 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE questioned what the funding requirement is to
make the Alaska Reads Act functional, and what the likely cost
scenario is to make sure the bill succeeds.
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ responded he cannot provide any specific
analysis from his district but gave a personal example of
learning about the requirements of the Alaska Reads Act from a
teacher, and the number of assessments that must take place.
The student is then provided with an individual reading plan,
but there is no compensation for the teacher even with the added
workload, which poses great concern for the teachers.
9:35:45 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY gave examples of her time as a 15-year
school board member.
9:40:38 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked for examples of where the
legislature sets statute for requirements in reference to how
people will spend their time doing their job within that
department.
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ explained his work on other committees, and
before the committee are listed projects. He gave examples of
the communication required between the legislature and the
departments so the projects can happen, or money needs to be
moved. He noted that [the House and Senate Education Standing
Committees] draw more attention from constituents than other
committees.
9:45:04 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ noted he had received word that there is a
survey through the Alaska Superintendents Association (ASA)
showing projected costs in adjusting to the Alaska Reads Act,
and he hopes to see the results of this survey soon, which he
will then pass along to the committee.
9:47:53 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced HB 65 was held over.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB65 Public Testimony rec as 3.3.23.pdf |
HEDC 3/6/2023 8:00:00 AM |
HB 65 |
| HB65 Presentation for House Education 3.6.23 (1).pdf |
HEDC 3/6/2023 8:00:00 AM |
HB 65 |
| HEDC_UA Regent Confirmation _Scott Jepsen Resume.pdf |
HEDC 3/6/2023 8:00:00 AM |
|
| HB 71 Fiscal Note.pdf |
HEDC 3/6/2023 8:00:00 AM |
HB 71 |
| HB 71 Sectional Analysis.pdf |
HEDC 3/6/2023 8:00:00 AM |
HB 71 |
| HB 71 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HEDC 3/6/2023 8:00:00 AM |
HB 71 |
| HB 65 Support as of 3.6.23 redacted.pdf |
HEDC 3/6/2023 8:00:00 AM |
HB 65 |