Legislature(2013 - 2014)CAPITOL 106
04/09/2014 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB197 | |
| HB333 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 197 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 333 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
April 9, 2014
8:10 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Lynn Gattis, Chair
Representative Lora Reinbold, Vice Chair
Representative Gabrielle LeDoux
Representative Peggy Wilson
Representative Harriet Drummond
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Dan Saddler
Representative Paul Seaton
Representative Sam Kito III (Alternate)
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 197
"An Act requiring the establishment of a reading program in
school districts for grades kindergarten through three;
providing for student retention in grade three; and providing
for a report on the reading program and on student retention."
- MOVED CSHB 197(EDC) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 333
"An Act establishing a museum construction grant program in the
Department of Education and Early Development."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 197
SHORT TITLE: LITERACY PROGRAM
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) LEDOUX
04/02/13 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/02/13 (H) EDC, FIN
04/08/13 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
04/08/13 (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
04/10/13 (H) EDC AT 9:00 AM CAPITOL 106
04/10/13 (H) Heard & Held
04/10/13 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
02/26/14 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
02/26/14 (H) Scheduled But Not Heard
04/04/14 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
04/04/14 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
04/09/14 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
BILL: HB 333
SHORT TITLE: MUSEUM CONSTRUCTION GRANTS
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) HERRON
02/24/14 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/24/14 (H) EDC, FIN
04/09/14 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE GABRIELLE LEDOUX
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced HB 179 as prime sponsor.
LISA VAUGHT, Staff
Representative Gabrielle LeDoux
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the committee substitute (CS) for
HB 197, on behalf of the prime sponsor, Representative LeDoux.
THOMAS BROWN, Staff
Representative Gabrielle LeDoux
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Responded to questions, during the
presentation of committee substitute (CS) for HB 197, on behalf
of the prime sponsor, Representative LeDoux.
CARI MILLER
Policy Director
Foundation for Excellence in Education
Tallahassee, Florida
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 197.
BOB GRIFFIN, Volunteer
Alaska Policy Forum
Eagle River, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 197.
SUSAN MCCAULEY, Director
Teaching and Learning Support
Department of Education and Early Development (EED)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the discussion of HB 197.
POSIE BOGGS, Volunteer
Alaska International Dyslexia Association
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 197.
REPRESENTATIVE BOB HERRON
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced HB 333 as prime sponsor.
EVA MALVICH, Director/Curator
Yupiit Piciryarait Museum
Association of Village Council Presidents
Bethel, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 333.
JANE LINDSEY, Advocacy Chair
Museums Alaska
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 333.
LANI HOTCH, Executive Director
Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Center
Klukwan, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 333.
LACEY SIMPSON, Director
City of Ketchikan Museum Department
Ketchikan, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 333.
EMMIE SWANSON
Valdez Museum and Historical Archive
Valdez, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 333.
MICHELE MILLER
Pratt Museum
Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 333.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:10:35 AM
CHAIR LYNN GATTIS called the House Education Standing Committee
meeting to order at 8:10 a.m. Representatives Drummond, P.
Wilson, LeDoux and Gattis were present at the call to order.
Representative Reinbold arrived as the meeting was in progress.
HB 197-LITERACY PROGRAM
8:10:48 AM
CHAIR GATTIS announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 197, "An Act requiring the establishment of a
reading program in school districts for grades kindergarten
through three; providing for student retention in grade three;
and providing for a report on the reading program and on student
retention."
8:11:18 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND moved to adopt the committee substitute
(CS) for HB 197, labeled 28-LS0515\O, Mischel, 2/21/14 as the
working document. There being no objection, Version O was
before the committee.
8:12:22 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GABRIELLE LEDOUX, Alaska State Legislature,
acknowledged her sponsorship of HB 197 and deferred to staff for
presentation of HB 197, Version O.
8:12:36 AM
LISA VAUGHT, Staff, Representative Gabrielle LeDoux, Alaska
State Legislature, presented the committee substitute for HB
197, Version O, paraphrasing from a prepared document, which
read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
HB 197 requires local school districts to establish
intensive reading programs from kindergarten through
3rd grade with the specific goal of ensuring that all
students are reading proficiently by grade three.
Research has demonstrated that during K through 3
students are learning to read, after that they are
reading to learn. What this means is that if students
are not reading proficiently in grade four and up they
will fall farther and farther behind each year as
their lessons become ever more reading focused. If a
student cannot read their science lesson or history
book they will not be able to successfully complete
these classes and more importantly not learn the basic
knowledge and skills required for the 21st century.
This is why literacy-based programs are so essential
at this stage of education.
HB 197 requires school districts to be accountable for
the performance of their students. It achieves this
by requiring them to publish annual reports about
student progress, their policies and procedures
regarding how students are promoted from grade to
grade, the number and percentage of students promoted
for good cause, and details of any school board policy
changes regarding promotion.
HB 197 lays out a literacy-based promotion policy
specifically designed for students to successfully
demonstrate their ability to read, before entering 4th
grade. A literacy-based promotion policy forces
schools to organize their curriculum around reading
instruction, so that schools focus more time and
effort on reading and encouraging parental
involvement. HB 197 stresses that schools incorporate
a vast array of teaching strategies and interventions
and utilize all the resources at their disposal,
especially parental involvement.
HB 197 will identify students with significant reading
deficiencies early and create systems to address these
before they get to the critical stage of 3rd grade.
We want to avoid a child getting to third grade,
taking their SBA's and are suddenly discovered to be
below minimum standards. HB 197 forces the teachers,
the parents, THE ADULTS, to focus on student literacy
before it becomes a problem. It establishes reading
programs early on and reinforces them throughout the
years so that by the time they come to 3rd grade the
students are prepared.
Currently the Anchorage School District holds back
only 0.05% of the student population. Nationally,
Alaska rates 51st in low-income 4th grade reading
scores, tied with inner-city Washington, DC.
According to the NEA, in 2012, Alaska spent more on
Education than any other state yet still managed to
rank near the bottom. Nearly 90% of high school
dropouts are below proficient in reading in 3rd grade.
There is a strong association between dropping out of
high school and lower income, more dependence on
public assistance programs and higher incarceration
rates. HB 197 is not about business as usual, retain
and repeat, this is about early identification and
intensive intervention and instruction.
This is not a punishment, retention is not the goal.
It is merely one segment of a strong combination of
instruction and intervention techniques coupled with
test-based promotion that makes the program
successful. The intent of HB 197 is not to hold
students back but to give them the tools necessary to
become a prosperous, productive member of society.
8:16:34 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND observed that the Anchorage school
district has already been on board with this concept for some
time. Awareness regarding the importance of early literacy is
not a new concept, she said, stressing the need for children to
arrive at school ready to read at the same level for maximum
benefit throughout the grades. She said it would be interesting
to know if those children who have not learned to read by third
grade, manifesting as social ills and incarceration in
adulthood, show a connection to a lack of early childhood
education, as well.
8:17:48 AM
CHAIR GATTIS interjected that the data would be good to have and
could possibly be obtained from the [Department of Public
Safety].
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND said that longitudinal studies, as
compiled by the Head Start agency, indicate the relevance of
early literacy/learning and the connection to societal success
as an adult. She indicated a lack of interest in supporting
Version O, offering her view that it represents redundancy.
8:19:10 AM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX pointed out the need to employ many
approaches, and said that Version O will provide another tool
for addressing early childhood education.
8:19:27 AM
THOMAS BROWN, Staff, Representative Gabrielle LeDoux, Alaska
State Legislature, on behalf of the prime sponsor, pointed out
that Version O is a measure to specifically address the area of
early reading literacy.
8:20:24 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND said Alaska has a huge waiting list for
early education programs and the legislature has not been
financially supportive. The data indicating the importance for
early learning already exists. Unfortunately, she offered her
belief that without financial support for providing early
literacy programs, children are often in homes providing little
exposure to books. One program receiving state funding, Best
Beginnings [Alaska], has compiled data specific to high quality
early childhood education, she offered, and said this
information should not be ignored. She asked about a fiscal
note.
MS. VAUGHT responded that a fiscal note is being developed.
8:23:07 AM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX offered her belief that debating the
merits for early childhood education is not relevant to Version
O. She pointed out that waning literacy scores are identified
with families at every income level and social strata, and are
not restricted to low income households or Head Start eligible
children.
8:23:47 AM
CHAIR GATTIS opened public testimony on HB 197.
8:24:03 AM
CARI MILLER, Policy Director, Foundation for Excellence in
Education, state support for HB 197 and said an effective K-3
{kindergarten to third] grade policy is important. The
fundamental principles should include: kindergarten screening;
parental notification when deficits are identified; development
of an individual reading plan designed in conjunction with the
parents; third grade assessment to determine the need for
intervention/retention; possible exemption for special needs or
students with ESL challenges and options for demonstrating
proficiency to allow promotion; and a retention component that
requires an additional year of experience, which may be
satisfied by attendance at a summer reading camp. Identified
students will be monitored frequently to ensure that each
individual is receiving the attention and support necessary.
Nine states have adopted these fundamental principles and the
data indicates broad success with literacy percentages showing
significant increases, and attainment of benchmark reading
achievements. Florida has been using this technique for ten
years, she finished.
8:34:11 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND requested the supporting data that was
mentioned and asked about further history regarding the use of
the program.
MS. MILLER responded that Florida has been using this program
for just over a decade and other states for three years or less.
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND requested a cost analysis.
MS. MILLER indicated that Florida has repurposed funding to
cover the costs. The drop-out prevention funding was earmarked
for summer reading camps. Additionally, professional
development monies were redirected to support the K-3 literacy
program. She offered to provide further financial information.
8:38:39 AM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX said many Alaskan school districts already
practice a number of these fundamentals, but not the retention
aspect, and asked whether the elimination of social promotion
alone might create a fiscal burden.
MS. MILLER agreed that having a child in school for an
additional year does add cost. However, she explained, to fund
one additional school year is cost effective considering
societal costs to support a student who develops into a drop-
out; often requiring welfare, food stamps and other social
funding.
8:42:13 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND noted the number of the mentioned
fundamentals that would include a cost factor, such as summer
reading camps or extending the school day, week, or year for
identified students. She agreed that retaining a child could
add cost to a school district, and suggested the same money
could be as useful if directed towards highly effective pre-
school programs. Further, she asked what the ten year cost has
been for operating the summer reading camps, small reading
groups, and day/week/year extension programs.
MS. MILLER offered to provide further information. She
acknowledged that these aspects of the fundamental program carry
a cost and indicated how Florida handled the redirection of
funding to meet the need; repurposing of the drop-out prevention
funds has been the primary source.
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND noted that with the fourth year of flat
or reduced school funding in Alaska, many of the schools have
closed summer programs, which were intended as drop-out
prevention measures.
8:44:58 AM
BOB GRIFFIN, Volunteer, Alaska Policy Forum, testified in
support of HB 197, paraphrasing from a prepared statement, which
read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
As a longtime advocate for improving public education,
HB 197 is the number one priority for legislation that
I'm supporting in Juneau this year. Early childhood
literacy is at crisis proportions in Alaska. In the
2013 NAEP test scores for low-income kids we dropped
to 51st (behind low-income kids in DC) in 4th grade
reading. Our upper and middle income kids are not
doing much better. In 2013 they dropped to 49th in
NAEP testing when we were 44th just 10 years ago.
I have attended dozens of K-12 education conferences
all over the US and I have not come across a more
effective method of improving student outcomes than
legislation setting the standards for minimum 3rd
grade literacy.
Large quantities of research indicate that when kids
do not attain basic literacy by age 9 or 10 they are
unlikely to catch-up later. Social promotion of
illiterate students at the critical transition of
using reading skills to learn is not doing any favors
to those children.
Nearly identical legislation is already in effect in a
dozen states and it has been producing fantastic
results. Florida, was the first to try this
legislation back in 2002. In the 2003 NAEP testing
Florida was 28th in low-income 4th grade reading. By
2013 they were 1st.
According to 2013 NAEP test scores, low income
Hispanic 4th graders in Florida read at a higher
comprehension level than the average Alaskan 4th
grader.
It's interesting to note that according to the latest
NEA publication, "Rankings and Estimates," Alaska was
1st in per capita K-12 funding in 2010 and Florida was
48th.
Our kids are bright;
Our teachers are dedicated;
Our parents are loving;
There's no reason we can't do better.
8:48:20 AM
CHAIR GATTIS asked how first and second grade students
demonstrating literacy challenges are being addressed.
MR. GRIFFIN answered that with known accountability at the third
grade level, the earlier grades appear to focus effort on
getting students more prepared for third grade.
8:50:07 AM
CHAIR GATTIS asked how early literacy is currently addressed in
Alaska, and what should be occurring.
8:50:19 AM
SUSAN MCCAULEY, Director, Teaching and Learning Support,
Department of Education and Early Development (EED), said that
the state has an established policy. Alaska took a step further
last year in requiring early literacy screening for
kindergarten-second grade. Third grade assessments have been in
place and the need for early literacy is understood. She
directed attention to page 5, lines 13-25, requiring the
department to monitor and audit on specified time lines. She
said the department will be looking at these two requirements to
determine the best means to respond/comply.
8:53:38 AM
CHAIR GATTIS asked whether the department supports Version O.
MS. MCCAULEY said the department considers that the bill is
consistent with what is understood to be helpful for students.
8:54:42 AM
CHAIR GATTIS considered the rural areas that may not have
sufficient staff available and asked how the department will
address these situations.
MS. MCCAULEY pointed out the bill does not require or permit the
department to trump local district literacy decisions. The
department will be monitoring districts but it will need to be
made clear what elements are to be monitored. Certainly EED
will provide districts the necessary professional development
opportunities and make recommendations as necessary.
8:57:12 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND asked whether data, from the regulations
adopted in [2013] establishing early literacy screening, have
been compiled.
MS. MCCAULEY answered no. She explained that the regulation
requiring the screening assessments, to be conducted at a
minimum of once a year, had the first assessment window
beginning April 1 [2014]. The department will receive this
initial literacy data as part of [each district's] annual
submission in July [2014].
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND noted that the Anchorage School District
begins kindergarten classes on a one week delay from the other
grades. She reported that the delay is to allow
parent/teacher/child the opportunity for 1:1 meetings/readiness
assessments, and asked if early literacy screening occurs at
that time.
MS. MCCAULEY responded that the [Alaska Developmental Profile]
is required for students throughout the state. She explained
that it is a broad readiness assessment, not specific to early
literacy. However, she added, the new screening requirements
include specifications addressing literacy, which includes
letter recognition and sounds.
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND queried whether the screenings indicate
if a child has experienced any type of preschool program, which
may give them a level of readiness.
MS. MCCAULEY offered to provide further information.
9:00:07 AM
CHAIR GATTIS inquired about the specifics of the [2013]
regulation.
MS. MCCAULEY answered that it is specific to, and explicitly, an
early literacy screening assessment.
CHAIR GATTIS stated her understanding that a child may
demonstrate proficiency of letters and sounds, but inquiries
pertaining to the source of early learning are not necessarily
explored.
MS. MCCAULEY answered she is correct.
9:00:52 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND suggested the value and importance for
including pre-school information in the screening.
MS. MCCAULEY agreed. Although the district isn't able to
confirm the action, it is possible that districts are including
pre-school experience as part of the developmental profile.
9:02:10 AM
POSIE BOGGS, Volunteer, Alaska International Dyslexia
Association, stated support for HB 197 and stated many features
of this measure are excellent. However, retention might need to
be considered for first grade and expressed concern for teacher
training. Teacher reading instruction competency tests exist
and this is an area that should not be overlooked, she said. A
literacy rich pre-kindergarten home is helpful, but parents
cannot be expected to understand how to identify reading
problems. Teacher training programs need to include science
based literacy teaching techniques for best results, she
finished.
9:07:11 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND pointed out that pre-school is not a
component of the bill, although, she offered her belief that it
is still a valid line of questioning, and indicated interest in
receiving further information regarding the teacher competency
tests. She asked about the current state of identifying and
teaching dyslexic students in today's public schools.
MS. BOGGS responded how research indicates the ability to
identify dyslexia as early as late pre-school and kindergarten,
and remediation can begin in the early stages. However, this
has not been translated via the higher education department for
training teachers. The research is solid that intensive
remediation is successful, when dyslexia is identified "early,
early, early." She reported that in individual education
program (IEP) meetings, the professionals refrain from using the
term dyslexia, and offered her belief that this represents a
denial of science; representing a core problem in the system.
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND concurred. She recalled that addressing
dyslexia was a problem from 1994-2003, during the
Representative's tenure on the local school board, and
apparently it hasn't been resolved. She asked about the
percentage of early learners that are identified as dyslexic.
MS. BOGGS said in the nation at large a ratio of 1:5 or 15
percent of children will have some level of dyslexia, and "it's
going to drive the bus." The problem of dyslexia is fixable,
but the teacher's knowledge needs to be upgraded. In five years
this could be accomplished, she said, and shared her vision for
repurposing professional development funds to this end.
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND surmised that, given the dyslexia issue,
retaining literacy challenged students in third grade would
prove helpful.
MS. BOGGS suggested retention for a dyslexic child in the third
grade is too late, and reiterated the need for early
identification/intervention, and opined for first grade
retention.
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND agreed, and asked for copies of the
research regarding dyslexia.
MS. BOGGS added that the support a dyslexic child requires is no
different than what is necessary for all children - only
intensified.
9:15:03 AM
CHAIR GATTIS closed public testimony on HB 197.
9:15:10 AM
The committee took an at-ease at 9:15 a.m.
9:15:29 AM
REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD moved to report the proposed committee
substitute (CS) for HB 197, Version O, labeled 28-LS0515\O,
Mischel, 2/21/14, out of committee with individual
recommendations and the [forthcoming] fiscal note.
9:15:48 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND objected.
9:15:52 AM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives LeDoux, Reinbold,
P. Wilson, and Gattis voted in favor of CSHB 197.
Representative Drummond voted against it. Therefore, CSHB
197(EDC) was reported out of the House Education Standing
Committee by a vote of 4-1.
The committee took an at-ease from 9:16 a.m. to 9:20 a.m.
9:20:33 AM
HB 333-MUSEUM CONSTRUCTION GRANTS
9:20:46 AM
CHAIR GATTIS announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 333, "An Act establishing a museum construction
grant program in the Department of Education and Early
Development."
9:20:52 AM
REPRESENTATIVE BOB HERRON, Alaska State Legislature, briefly
introduced HB 333 as prime sponsor and then deferred to state
museum facility staff for further presentation.
9:23:07 AM
EVA MALVICH, Director/Curator, Yupiit Piciryarait Museum,
Association of Village Council Presidents, testified in support
of HB 333 paraphrasing from a prepared statement, which read as
follows [original punctuation provided]: in packet
The Yupiit Piciryarait Museum, a tribally-run and
managed museum, is the only museum for the Yukon-
Kuskokwim Delta region, and is roughly the size of
Oregon. We support HB 333, the enabling legislation
to support construction or renovation of museums and
cultural centers around the state.
Our area is home to Yup'ik and Cup'ig Eskimos and
Athabascan Indians. We've lived here for millennia,
and our museum collection is full of objects showing
how we lived over time, valuable objects that are
priceless and are full of information. In fact, Dr.
Paul John, from Toksook Bay, is on the museum steering
committee. He is a respected elder, who lived at a
time when people moved from camp to camp, following
the food source. He wants the kids from our area to
be able to study the tools we used, how they were
made, and how they were used to catch food. He said
by doing this, we can become 'real' Yup'iks again.
In addition, we want people to know we are still
relevant. Although we live in a western society, we
want people to know we are still here, and have
adapted over time. Our livelihood may have changed,
but we still value our subsistence lifestyle and
continue to live off the land. Our fish traps are now
made out of chicken wire instead of wood, but we still
use them in winter to catch fresh fish. Our drums,
traditionally made from gut skin, are made out of
plastic or airplane fabric, but it is still a drum and
is used for Yup'ik dances.
The facility that houses the Yupiit Piciryarait Museum
is owned and operated by the Kuskokwim Campus. When
it first opened in 1996, the museum staff had access
to two offices, a large storage room, in addition to
our gallery and back rooms. The Kuskokwim Campus
staff took over one office, and a large storage room,
therefore we are running our program with much less
space than originally planned. In addition, the HVAC
system, which controls our relative humidity, was shut
off over 12 years ago by our landlord, because in
their words, it was too expensive for them to
maintain. Our collections of ivory and animal skin
are susceptible to irreversible damage because we have
no control over our environment.
Our organization, the Association of Village Council
Presidents, have been working closely with the Nunaleq
Project in Quinhagak. Nine thousand objects have been
uncovered so far from a sod house that was ambushed
during the bow and arrow war. The objects have been
brought over to Aberdeen, Scotland, so the staff there
can catalog the objects. The people from Quinhagak
have stated that they cannot afford to keep the
objects in their community, and would like them in
Bethel, instead.
In addition, the Lower Kuskokwim School District and
AVCP have recently entered into an agreement, in which
teaching material for Yup'ik language curriculum will
be collected by school staff and sent to our museum to
be archived in our facility.
The people from this region should not have to travel
to Fairbanks or Juneau to view objects from his/her
hometown, the cost of an airline ticket from village
to Bethel, to Anchorage and Juneau or Fairbanks is sky
high, not to mention the need to rent a car, and hotel
room.
9:27:27 AM
MS. MALVICH added that to travel from her home to visit the
State Museum represents a cost of $1,300.00, she then continued
paraphrasing:
With this enabling legislation, we can build another
facility and become a federal repository. With this
designation, we would be eligible to house objects
that are taken out of federal lands in our area. We
would be able to take care of objects in our own
region, and with more staff, become a resource for
archaeology projects around our region. With our
coast lines eroding, we know there are historical
sites in danger of becoming lost to the Bering Sea
every year.
Please support HB 333. This enabling legislation will
allow our museum to grow to meet our customer's needs.
We will be able to provide the right environment for
our priceless museum objects. The collection would be
housed in Bethel, much closer and easier access than
Juneau or Fairbanks.
9:28:25 AM
JANE LINDSEY, Advocacy Chair, Museums Alaska, testified in
support of HB 333, paraphrasing from a prepared statement, which
read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Good morning, my name is Jane Lindsey, I work for the
Juneau-Douglas City Museum and am here as an elected
board member of our statewide group, Museums Alaska,
where I serve as the advocacy chair.
I would like to thank Representative Herron for
sponsoring HB 333 and all of you for the work you do
on behalf of the state of Alaska and our fellow
Alaskans.
As a board member of Museums Alaska, yearly our museum
community meets at an annual conference to share best
practices in preserving, interpreting, and exhibiting
our cultural history.
In Alaska, we have over 65 museums, cultural centers,
historic houses and sites that have been operating for
many years in their communities as anchor institutions
that care for our primary Alaskan cultural history,
deliver education services, research opportunities,
exhibit local art and culture; provide public
programs, and generate revenue through cultural
tourism.
A 2014 McDowell survey for the Foraker Group has been
made available to the committee that demonstrates
critical infrastructure needs for our institutions.
Of the 36 museums contacted, 27 or ¾ have identified
significant capital improvement needs within the next
five years. Exhibition space expansion or
improvement; increase in facility size; collections
storage expansion; and security improvements are rated
among the top four priorities for these institutions.
These are all specialized needs for museums and
cultural centers that care for, and exhibit our
Alaskan collections.
Building expansions and new construction are difficult
undertakings to fund raise for and as demonstrated in
the Museum profiles in the McDowell survey, many of
these museums have limited staff to fundraise while
attending to other full-time duties. Museum staff and
personnel are often tasked with raising funds that are
equal to or double the size of their yearly budgets.
HB333 provides a pathway for a growing number of
institutions that will need to realize funding for the
health of our museums, cultural centers and our
Alaskan collections.
Like the state's model for library construction
projects, HB 333 can provide a ranking mechanism for
these critical capital projects while partnering with
funding formulas from local, non-profit, and federal
granting agencies. A system like this can build-in
forward thinking in sustainable energy initiatives for
our museums that desperately need specialized
environments.
Museums Alaska looks forward to providing information
to the committee as needed and answering any questions
that you may have. Thank you for your time.
9:31:16 AM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX commented that the small museums are an
excellent draw for tourism.
9:31:41 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND questioned how artifacts become
distributed around the world.
MS. MALVICH responded that there are 800 people.
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND remarked that a world class museum in
Bethel will be a good resource and promote tourism in the area.
9:32:55 AM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked why the artifacts go to Scotland
rather than elsewhere in Alaska.
MS. MALVICH answered that when artifacts were discovered it was
the Scotland museum that responded with help.
MS. LINDSEY added that the infrastructure needs do not allow the
in-state museums to accept challenges of this size for
preservation.
9:34:58 AM
LANI HOTCH, Executive Director, Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Center,
noted the educational and visitor organizations that she has
worked with in her capacity to illustrate the integral part that
the Heritage Center plays in the community. She said funds are
put to good use and stretched for maximum results, and recounted
the construction phases of the facility and the need for further
funding needed to finish the inside and provide heat. The small
communities are in need of museum/cultural center support, she
finished, stressing that it is a responsibility to preserve the
local history.
9:41:31 AM
REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD asked what private sector funding
sources are being approached.
MS. HOTCH described the fund raising efforts and the budget
components. Other funding sources are sought, but without
legislative backing, sponsors such as the Rasmuson Foundation
will not pledge without an understanding of the state
allocation. She described other outreach efforts/proposals that
have been tried or are planned, but again, matching funds are
often a requirement.
REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD asked how much has been provided to date
by the state, and for further clarification on the costs for
this fiscal year as well as for future needs since
sustainability is a concern.
MS. HOTCH answered $3.5 million for this fiscal year and
$750,000 for ongoing costs, possibly more. She offered to
provide the information. Regarding sustainability, she said
once completed, that is the expectation. Partnerships with
tourism agencies are being developed.
9:49:19 AM
LACEY SIMPSON, Director, City of Ketchikan Museum Department,
stated support for HB 333 and stressed the state obligation for
the artifacts that are held in public trust. She cited several
deficits that exist in facilities, including humidity control or
ability to display artifacts. Many smaller facilities are
housed in buildings that were never designed as museums. The
need is growing and the state has been generous. Communities
are enriched by having museums.
9:52:50 AM
EMMIE SWANSON, Valdez Museum and Historical Archive, offered her
strong support for HB 333. The Valdez museum faces a
deteriorating infrastructure and adequate space for the program,
she said. She highlighted a few key points, such that the
Valdez Museum occupies two buildings, with the primary location
being a centennial building that is inadequate for museum
services and programs. She focused on the primary concern, the
second location, which is a warehouse that the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers (U.S. ACE) constructed in the mid-60s when Valdez
was rebuilt after the 1964 earthquake that was never intended to
be a museum facility. Still, this warehouse houses a 75,000
piece collection, archives and contains a small theatre space.
With the need for specialized equipment for display and climate
control, she stressed the importance for financial support. She
described the situation as it exists in Valdez, stating that the
Valdez museum is over capacity for the storage of large
artifacts and no room exists to bring in new artifacts.
MS. SWANSON related that some artifacts are stored in two
locations maintained by the City of Valdez's Parks and
Recreation department as well as noting several large artifacts
in outside storage are exposed to the elements. Further,
several large artifacts are currently stored in the workshop
adjacent to the "Remembering Old Valdez" exhibit and several
more are housed in a small building near the softball field,
behind the community college. She emphasized that the cultural
heritage should stay in regional locations. In 2012, the Valdez
Museum Board adopted a five-year strategic plan, which included
the need for a major capital improvement program. This is
rooted in the goal to continue to preserve the valuable cultural
resources for communities of Valdez, Copper River Basin, Prince
William Sound, and the state. Most of Alaska's museums are
small in size and budget and museums all have a difficult time
fundraising for capital improvements. It's also difficult to
ask for donations in this small community of 4,000 people with
over 70 nonprofit organizations, yet the museum does manage to
provide over 45 percent of its budget through donations and
grants. These grants are strictly program related and support
education and are not supportive of operations or facilities'
management. She thanked members for hearing concerns of museums
in Alaska. She hoped the committee will support passage of HB
333.
9:56:51 AM
MICHELE MILLER, Pratt Museum, testified in support of HB 333,
paraphrasing from a prepared statement, which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
My name is Michele Miller, and I serve on the Museums
Alaska Board of Directors and work at the nationally-
recognized Pratt Museum here in Homer.
I speak in support of House Bill 333, establishing a
museum construction grant program.
The Pratt Museum serves as an anchor institution on
the Kenai Peninsula, educating children and adults,
and contributing to our community's sense of place and
identity through history, art, and culture; and
through exploration of the natural environment. Like
museums all over Alaska, the Pratt contributes to the
state's economy through employment and cultural
tourism.
Thank you, Rep. Herron for your sponsorship of this
bill, which provides the structure for establishing a
systematic approach to prioritizing museum capital
project funding requests in Alaska.
The Pratt Museum is one of the 50 [percent] of museums
in Alaska currently fundraising for a new facility.
With the passage of this legislation into law,
construction projects will be funded by the merits of
their projects, prioritized by their ability to match
state funding, and where they are in the construction
process.
Similar to the library construction statute, which has
helped build 14 new libraries through $50 million of
awards, this legislation will allow museums to plan to
protect valuable collections well into the future.
Again, I thank Representative Herron for his
sponsorship of House Bill 333, and I look forward to
working with his office on the legislation this
interim.
[HB 333 was held over.]
9:59:08 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Education Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 9:59 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 197 Letter of Support Griffin.pdf |
HEDC 4/9/2014 8:00:00 AM |
HB 197 |
| HB 197 Letter of Support Sullivan.pdf |
HEDC 4/9/2014 8:00:00 AM |
HB 197 |
| HB333 Sponsor Statement 28-LS1466.U.pdf |
HEDC 4/9/2014 8:00:00 AM |
HB 333 |
| HB333 Informational Document - McDowell Group Infrastructure Needs Study.pdf |
HEDC 4/9/2014 8:00:00 AM |
HB 333 |
| HB333 Informational Document - CHAMP Partners.pdf |
HEDC 4/9/2014 8:00:00 AM |
HB 333 |
| HB333 Support Letter - City of Ketchikan Museum Department.pdf |
HEDC 4/9/2014 8:00:00 AM |
HB 333 |
| HB333 Support Letter - Museums Alaska.pdf |
HEDC 4/9/2014 8:00:00 AM |
HB 333 |
| HB333 Support Letter - Pratt Museum (Homer).pdf |
HEDC 4/9/2014 8:00:00 AM |
HB 333 |
| HB333 Supporting Document - Museums Alaska.pdf |
HEDC 4/9/2014 8:00:00 AM |
HB 333 |
| HB 197 ver O.pdf |
HEDC 4/9/2014 8:00:00 AM |
HB 197 |