Legislature(2003 - 2004)
04/14/2004 01:55 PM House FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE BILL NO. 425
An Act relating to funding for school districts
operating secondary school boarding programs, to
funding for school districts from which boarding
students come, and to inoperative school districts; and
providing for an effective date.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN COGHILL explained that current
provisions are expanded under HB 425 allowing a district to
receive a stipend for a student to travel to attend a
secondary boarding school that began before January 1, 2004.
He noted that Sitka's Mt. Edgecumbe is a boarding school
under a different statute. Galena, Nenana and Bethel have a
broad range of boarding school options. HB 425 allows
students to choose between a school in their district or a
boarding school option. Representative Coghill noted that it
is a change in policy, which the fiscal note reflects. The
bill adds a sunset date of 2009 and protects smaller
districts from being dropped from the critical 10-student
Average Daily Membership (ADM) count if students leave to go
to boarding school. The boarding schools in Nenana, Bethel
and Galena offer cultural, social and educational changes
and possibilities for students.
Representative Coghill explained that Section 1 requires the
secondary school boarding program to have been operating by
January 1, 2004. Section 2 relates to the student count
being less than the minimum of ten, and Section 3 is the
repealer.
Representative Coghill pointed out that Nenana's and
Galena's actual capacities are lower than the figures shown
on the second page of fiscal note Component No. 148. The
Bethel school students are not all within a single boarding
home.
He concluded that HB 425 would expand the circumstances
allowing the boarding school to receive a reimbursement
stipend. Under the bill, a student would not have to pass
the current entrance standards, which require that his home
district does not include a boarding school.
EDDY JEANS, MANAGER, SCHOOL FINANCE AND FACILITIES SECTION,
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT, stated that
the fiscal note totals $1,179,000 and he explained that page
2 shows how the figure was derived. Galena has the capacity
to serve 100 kids, but 8 already qualify for boarding home
stipends because they come from the Pribilof Islands and
don't have daily access to a secondary program on St.
George. He discussed the stipend and costs for the remaining
92 kids at Galena. Mr. Jeans pointed out that these three
programs are 180-day, or full term programs.
Mr. Jeans noted that all three programs are currently
operating at capacity and the Department would not recruit
additional students from schools. He favored the bill's
safety net of not penalizing districts for falling below the
10-student ADM minimum while the pilot program is in place.
Co-Chair Harris asked if a school would close if its
enrollment dropped below ten students. Mr. Jeans replied
that the current Foundation Formula statute provides for
adding fewer than 10 students in a community to the smallest
community in the district because the revenue drops so low
that it forces the district to close the school.
Co-Chair Harris asked if this was part of the Molly Hootch
case. Mr. Jeans clarified that it was actually part of SB
36 in which the Legislature set a new threshold minimum of
10 students for a separate site.
Co-Chair Harris asked if the boarding schools such as Mt.
Edgecumbe are funded by the ADM like the other State
schools. Mr. Jeans affirmed. Co-Chair Harris asked if the
boarding schools would receive funding from the Department
of Education. Mr. Jeans replied that they receive
educational dollars for the children enrolled in their
school.
Co-Chair Harris asked if a boarding school receives extra
money for the residence. Mr. Jeans reiterated that it is
only in the instance of serving children who lack daily
access to a secondary school in their community.
In response to a question by Co-Chair Harris, Mr. Jeans
affirmed that Nenana has a school with a current enrollment
of 138 students, but the enrollment is declining. The space
could handle up to 400 students. Mr. Jeans said that Nenana
would not qualify for the boarding home stipend under the
current regulation because it provides daily access to a
secondary school. He clarified that this bill would expand
the boarding home program for a five-year pilot, and allow
the Department to reimburse the boarding home stipend for
all of the kids attending the Nenana boarding school.
In response to a question by Co-Chair Harris, Mr. Jeans
clarified that the round-trip transportation costs and a
monthly stipend would be paid for the boarding school
students.
Co-Chair Harris questioned if the bill's purpose is to gain
more support for independent boarding schools or regional
schools. Mr. Jeans did not regard it as the Department of
Education advocating for additional boarding schools;
instead, it would offer students choices that they currently
don't have in their own communities. Unlike Mt. Edgecumbe,
the State does not operate the schools in Bethel, Nenana or
Galena, which are operated by the independent school
districts.
Representative Chenault asked about the analysis by the
Nenana Student Living Center (copy on file). Mr. Jeans
explained that if it is a smaller school, the State pays a
higher instructional cost per child, so the analysis
attempts to show the savings to the State through the
foundation program of including these kids in a larger
population.
In response to a question by Representative Chenault
regarding the figures used in the student allocation, Mr.
Jeans clarified that the Nenana number includes the boarding
school kids rather than the district that the kids came
from.
Mr. Jeans pointed out that the current program is in
regulation and this legislation would expand opportunities
for the kids. The Nenana program has an academic focus,
while the Galena program is more vocational in focus and
kids can gain certification and enter the workforce later
on.
Vice-Chair Meyer asked if boarding schools are similar to
charter schools. Mr. Jeans stated that charter school
legislation doesn't allow for spending State money on
boarding home programs. Vice-Chair Meyer asked if the
boarding schools are required to do exit exams and meet the
No Child Left Behind requirements. Mr. Jeans affirmed.
Representative Foster asked who currently pays the students'
transportation costs. Representative Coghill replied that
the parents do.
RALPH LINDQUIST, DEAN OF STUDENTS, NENANA STUDENT LIVING
CENTER (NSLC), VIA TELECONFERENCE, NENANA, stated that
passage of HB 425 is essential to the survival of the NSLC
next year. The NSLC is processing over 150 applications for
the 30-35 beds that will be available next year.
MORGAN DUGGERT, STUDENT, NENANA STUDENT LIVING CENTER, VIA
TELECONFERENCE, NENANA, stated that the Living Center has
improved the number and quality of classes that are offered.
She has received scholarship money for college.
AFTON BRINKMAN, STUDENT, NENANA STUDENT LIVING CENTER, VIA
TELECONFERENCE, NENANA, explained that he moved from Eagle
to Nenana two years ago, which has improved his life. He
will be graduating in May. He expressed that he would not
have the range of class choices or the opportunities for
scholarships back in Eagle.
Mr. Lindquist clarified that kids live at the NSLC but go to
school in Nenana.
JIM SMITH, SUPERINTENDENT, GALENA CITY SCHOOLS, stated that
he'd been in Galena five years and the school is seven years
old. He discussed the residential school program, noting
that the boarding school provides 27 jobs for the community
with the potential for 100 kids, and it operated with 85
students this year. The scholastic program is successful,
with 72% of seniors passing all three portions of the
graduation test. Alaska Natives comprise ninety-four percent
of the student body. He felt that the strong point is the
provision of vocational training. He described the programs,
which are voluntary.
Representative Joule commented on the evolution of education
in the state, from Native and Non-Native after the eighth
grade to the current integration of schools. The State is
looking for solutions to its challenges in education, and he
anticipates an integrated K-14.
Co-Chair Harris referred to the large fiscal note, and
stated that the Co-Chair would like to hold the bill over.
Representative Joule asked if the Administration supports
the legislation. Mr. Jeans replied that the State Board
hasn't reviewed it yet.
Representative Coghill spoke in support of the fiscal note,
and the impact of the funding on "these three communities
that have been carrying the weight." He argued for the
significant college preparatory work that the three boarding
schools offer to students.
HB 425 was heard and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
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