Legislature(2013 - 2014)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/03/2014 08:00 AM Senate EDUCATION
Audio | Topic |
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Start | |
SB100 | |
SB113 | |
Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+= | SB 100 | TELECONFERENCED | |
*+ | SB 113 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+= | SB 139 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 113-STIPEND FOR BOARDING SCHOOLS 9:08:29 AM CHAIR STEVENS announced that the next order of business would be SB 113. SENATOR JOHN COGHILL, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of SB 113, said he appreciates the committee hearing SB 113. RYNNIEVA MOSS, Staff, Senator John Coghill, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented SB 113 on behalf of the sponsor. She said SB 113 is a follow up to a similar bill last year that the legislature passed increasing the potential for boarding schools in Alaska and recognizing that it is very valuable for education. Last year SB 47 removed restrictions for the number of boarding homes that can be in place, and expanded the program to include magnet schools for vocational training. Because of that legislation, there are now seven boarding schools instead of three. She said SB 113 asks for the stipend to be increased by 50 percent for boarding schools. She noted a document provided by Galena that shows that increasing the stipend by 50 percent still leaves the school short of actual costs. SENATOR COGHILL said SB 113 is one avenue of success for students in Alaska. The value to students is the relocation out of bad environments enabling them to be successful in school and in life. Boarding schools provide accountability, intense educational opportunities, and support services. Boarding school students are a small cadre of about 400 students, but the investment in their lives is well worth the effort. 9:12:35 AM CHAIR STEVENS said SB 113 and SB 139 contain the same subject matter. He suggested it would be best to move both bills forward. SENATOR GARDNER commented that she has heard that some students leave unhappy homes for a safer environment, occasionally due to a negotiated arrangement with the Office of Children's Services. MS. MOSS said she has heard that is true, but due to confidentially issues, does not have any details. SENATOR COGNILL added that several students have been able to move out of bad situations with drugs and alcohol. 9:14:40 AM MS. MOSSS noted that boarding schools have a proven record of success even for high risk students; about a 95 percent success rate. Many go on to college, trades, or the military. SENATOR GARDNER asked if all boarding schools have school counselors. MS. MOSSS said she did not know. CHAIR STEVENS noted that SB 113 deals with Sections 9, 12, 13, and 21-32 found in SB 139. 9:15:58 AM MIKE HANLEY, Commissioner, Department of Education and Early Development (DEED), Juneau, Alaska, answered questions related to SB 113. He said regarding residential costs, the numbers in SB 113 are identical to those in SB 139. The Governor's bill also requires an open annual application process. The only time a potential school can apply to be a residential school is during an open period. He said he opened the application period last year, which allowed four new schools to come on line. CHAIR STEVENS opened public testimony. JERRY COVEY, Educational Consultant, JSC Consulting, Anchorage, Alaska, provided information related to SB 113. He noted the audited expenses of the residential programs document that they are operating at deficit spending. He said the proposed increase in the stipend is justified. He pointed out that residential programs provide vital services to mostly rural students. There are about 300 students statewide, not counting the 100 students at Mt. Edgecumbe. He said variable length programs are new and came about after last year's open enrollment. These programs provide a truly unique opportunity. They are small and short term. For example, NACTEC in Nome has a 25-bed dormitory, but they deliver services to 400 students throughout the year. Chugach School District has just enlarged their dorm and serves over 260 students. He said the state is getting "tremendous bang for the buck." In Chugach, since 2003, 98 percent of students graduated from high school. The program is called Voyage to Excellence and it accepts all students, many who are in peril of not graduating. He related that currently, there are three year-long programs - Galena, Nenana, and Lower Kuskokwim School District, AND two variable-length programs - Chugach and NACTEC. There are two new programs coming on line, Northwest Arctic Borough School District and Cook Inlet Tribal Council. There is tremendous interest across the state for residential learning; two school districts are actively planning a program, two more are in the preplanning phase, and 6 - 10 schools that are in the consideration stage. He noted he was representing Citizens for the Educational Advancement of Alaska's Children (CEAAC) and Cook Inlet Tribal Council on this issue. 9:21:36 AM NORMAN ECK, Ph.D., Superintendent, Northwest Arctic Borough School District (NWABSD), Kotzebue, Alaska, testified in support of SB 113. He maintained that residential schools are essential; students need alternatives and better choices for their future. He described the NWABSD and said it is the only school district in the state that has a post-secondary residential school, the Alaska Technical Center. He thanked the legislature for the support for the remodel of the technical center in order to add a magnet school. He said over the last four years, as the district re-instituted career and technical education, the graduation rate went from 49 percent to 64 percent. Students who have taken two or more classes in career pathways have a graduation rate of 83 percent. He listed the four pillars of the magnet school; health care, education, culinary arts, and process technology. He thanked the legislature for the $4 million to begin construction of a dorm for students who will attend the magnet school. Even with the increase in the stipend, it is expected that the operation of the dorm will be at a loss for the expected 40 students. He stressed the value of being able to offer students what they need to be successful for the rest of their lives. 9:25:34 AM ERIC GEBHART, Superintendent, Nenana School District, Nenana, Alaska, testified in support of SB 113. 9:26:53 AM JEANETTE IYA, Member, Bering Strait School Board, Savoonga, Alaska, testified in support of SB 113. She said the BSA has not been increased in four years, but expenses have increased. She pointed out that the district has increased the graduation rate. She voiced appreciation for the funding for safety and security. She asked the committee to consider an increase in the BSA. She commented that Mt. Edgecumbe School has students that are not in dire situations; some boarding school students do not have problem students. CHAIR STEVENS announced he would hold SB 113 for further consideration. He noted that SB 139 would be heard at another time.
Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
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01_SB100_BillText_VersionI.pdf |
SEDC 3/3/2014 8:00:00 AM |
SB 100 |
02_SB100_Sponsor Statement_VersionI.pdf |
SEDC 3/3/2014 8:00:00 AM |
SB 100 |
04_SB100_Sectional_VersionI.pdf |
SEDC 3/3/2014 8:00:00 AM |
SB 100 |
05_SB100_iPad for Literacy Project.pdf |
SEDC 3/3/2014 8:00:00 AM |
SB 100 |
06_SB100_Budget Proposal.pdf |
SEDC 3/3/2014 8:00:00 AM |
SB 100 |
07_SB100_Letter of Support.pdf |
SEDC 3/3/2014 8:00:00 AM |
SB 100 |
08_SB100_Brief Description on Grant Program.pdf |
SEDC 3/3/2014 8:00:00 AM |
SB 100 |
09_SB100_Personalized Learning Opportunity Summary.pdf |
SEDC 3/3/2014 8:00:00 AM |
SB 100 |
01_SB113_Stipends_BillPacket_AsOf_28Feb2014.pdf |
SEDC 3/3/2014 8:00:00 AM |
SB 113 |
02_SB113_FiscalNote1_28Feb2014.pdf |
SEDC 3/3/2014 8:00:00 AM |
SB 113 |