Legislature(1999 - 2000)
03/03/2000 09:01 AM Senate FIN
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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
SENATE BILL NO. 95
"An Act relating to the combination of grades that
constitute junior high, middle, or secondary school."
Senator Phillips explained that this legislation would
provide a mechanism to alleviate an overcrowding situation
in an Anchorage high school.
DEBBIE OSSIANDER, Anchorage School Board testified via
teleconference from Eagle River. She stated that this
legislation addresses a specific problem in the Anchorage
school district. She noted that those schools, which are
more geographically isolated than the ones in the Anchorage
bowl, are being unfairly impacted by current regulations.
She explained that Chugiak High School is the most
overcrowded in the Anchorage School District, but under
current regulations it is impossible to qualify for state
reimbursement to address the problem. She pointed out that
this current legislation would make less stringent the
requirements to qualify for relief. She then gave specific
characteristics of Chugiak High School's overcrowding
situation.
EDDY JEANS, Manager, School Finance and Facilities Section,
Department of Education and Early Development stated that
this legislation's related fiscal note reflects the
increased eligibility for districts to qualify for
additional monies for major maintenance or construction.
He added that this legislation allows the allocation of
secondary square footage for six graders who are located in
middle schools. He noted that overall the system
implemented by this legislation would allow reimbursement
under the debt retirement program or the school
construction grant program as appropriated by the
legislature. He then outlined the fiscal note figures more
specifically. He explained that these figures would not be
retroactive.
Senator Phillips explained that the figures referenced in
the fiscal note would be the maximum potential of monies
necessary to rectify this overcrowding problem. He then
gave a general overview of other school districts statewide
that are also nearing saturation.
Mr. Jeans outlined the reasons behind a reduction of funds
from $26 million to $18 million related to this
legislation's fiscal note. He explained that the fiscal
note was originally prepared under the assumption that all
six-grade students would move to a middle school concept,
reflecting the maximum possible increase in eligibility if
this concept was initiated.
Senator Wilken referred to page three, lines 15 - 23, and
asked for an explanation for the proposed language
addition. This section reads:
(A) projected long-term student enrollment that
indicates the district has inadequate facilities to
meet present or projected enrollment or has unhoused
students; for purposes of this subparagraph,
(i) students are considered unhoused if the
students attend school in temporary facilities;
and
(ii) sixth grade students shall receive the
space allocation given to secondary students when
the sixth grade students are housed in a middle
school, junior high school, or high school that
includes the sixth grade;
Mr. Jeans explained that this language would give districts
secondary space allocation if the students are housed in a
middle school. He noted that students are considered
unhoused under section (i) if the students are in portable
or temporary facilities. He then explained the square foot
ramifications of this language.
Senator Wilken asked if this section would change the
global definition of "unhoused" students in Alaska.
Mr. Jeans responded that he would do additional research to
answer this question.
Ms. Ossiander confirmed that students in portable
facilities in Anchorage have been considered "unhoused."
Senator Phillips advised that the Anchorage School
District, along the Department of Education and Early
Development will work with demographers in order to further
refine this fiscal note. He then gave examples of
overcrowding and growth of community sectors, both of which
reflect a need for this legislation.
Mr. Jeans clarified that the numbers outlined in the fiscal
note reflected the additional amount of money allowed for
eligible reimbursement. He continued that the level of
reimbursement would depend on the funding mechanism that
the legislature passes. He added that this legislation
would change entitlement for school districts, affecting
the related project priority process.
NANCY DAVIS, Eagle River PTA (Parent Teacher Association)
spoke to the fiscal note and noted that this district's
highest priority was to secure funding for a second high
school in North Anchorage. She noted that the district
currently has nine portable facilities at this high school.
Co-Chair Torgerson ordered the bill HELD in committee.
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