Legislature(2017 - 2018)CAPITOL 106
04/05/2017 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB189 | |
| Presentation: Northwestern Alaska Career and Technical Center (nactec) | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 189 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
April 5, 2017
8:03 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Harriet Drummond, Chair
Representative Justin Parish, Vice Chair
Representative Zach Fansler
Representative Ivy Spohnholz
Representative Jennifer Johnston
Representative Chuck Kopp
Representative David Talerico
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Lora Reinbold (alternate)
Representative Geran Tarr (alternate)
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 189
"An Act relating to program receipts; and relating to fees for
school bus inspections."
- HEARD & HELD
PRESENTATION: NORTHWESTERN ALASKA CAREER AND TECHNICAL CENTER
(NACTEC)
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 189
SHORT TITLE: SCHOOL BUS INSPECTION FEES
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) WILSON
03/22/17 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/22/17 (H) EDC, FIN
04/05/17 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE TAMMY WILSON
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 189, as the sponsor.
HEIDI TESHNER, Director
Administrative Services
Department of Education and Early Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing of HB
189.
ELWIN BLACKWELL, School Finance Manager
School Finance and Facilities Section
Department of Education and Early Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing of HB
189.
DOUG WALRATH PhD, Director
Northwestern Alaska Career and Technical Center
Nome, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided a PowerPoint presentation
entitled, "NACTEC NOME, ALASKA," dated 4/5/17.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:03:24 AM
CHAIR HARRIET DRUMMOND called the House Education Standing
Committee meeting to order at 8:03 a.m. Representatives
Drummond, Parish, Talerico, Kopp, Johnston, and Fansler were
present at the call to order. Representative Spohnholz arrived
as the meeting was in progress.
HB 189-SCHOOL BUS INSPECTION FEES
8:04:36 AM
CHAIR DRUMMOND announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 189, "An Act relating to program receipts; and
relating to fees for school bus inspections."
8:05:02 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TAMMY WILSON, Alaska State Legislature,
introduced HB 189, as the sponsor, paraphrasing from the sponsor
statement, which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
HB 189 allows the Department of Education to establish
by regulation a fee to cover the cost of the school
bus inspections required under AS 14.09.030(b)(2). The
school bus operator will be charged this fee.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSTON asked whether the bill affects the
number of inspections.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON said inspections occur twice a year -
as is already in statute - and the bill does not change the
inspection process, but only that the fee will be paid by the
school bus operators.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSTON suggested responsibility for the
inspections may be held by local - and not state - government.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON said the intent of the bill is to allow
the Department of Education and Early Development (EED) to
charge the fee; however, school districts may be able to address
this issue.
REPRESENTATIVE FANSLER inquired as to the cost of inspections.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON advised the statute does not address
the cost; however, [Fiscal Note Identifier: HB 189-EED-SFF-3-
31-17] indicated further details would be determined by
regulations. The department could determine a specific amount,
or the current amount budgeted - $210,000 - could be used as a
baseline. In further response to Representative Fansler, she
said currently the state conducts and pays for inspections. The
bill would allow the fee to be charged to each private vendor;
school bus inspections are necessary but should not be paid for
by the state.
8:08:27 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PARISH surmised the intent is to shift the cost
of the inspections from the state to the school bus operators
and restated the question as to what inspections cost.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON observed inspections are the
responsibility of the operators, as are safety inspections
required of other businesses. She returned attention to page 2
of the fiscal note and reported there is an average of 1,055
buses inspected each year and the department would establish an
inspection fee of $175 per bus, per inspection. In further
response to Representative Parish, she confirmed the fee could
be changed by regulation.
REPRESENTATIVE PARISH said his concern is the safety of students
is the responsibility of the state.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON stressed inspections would still be
required without any change -- the only difference being who
pays the fee.
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP observed one way or another $147,000 is
going to be paid by the state because if EED establishes a fee,
school bus operators are going to negotiate the cost of bus
inspections into their contracts.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON agreed, however, local school districts
may decide that they have a better or more affordable means for
fulfilling the inspection requirement. She also suggested
school bus operators may find efficiencies.
8:13:48 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSTON questioned who is ultimately liable for
school buses.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON opined the responsibility falls to
those who have contracts for school bus transportation. The
related statute may have been enacted to ensure a level of
safety through state oversight. However, the statute did not
provide for charging an inspection fee.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSTON advised private contractors have to be
bonded, and their liability is probably in partnership with the
local school district; she urged for the line of liability to be
ascertained.
CHAIR DRUMMOND questioned who performs the inspections.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON said the department.
8:16:13 AM
HEIDI TESHNER, Director, Administrative Services, EED, in
response to Chair Drummond, explained currently the department
contracts with "resurrection auto" to conduct inspections twice
per year; should HB 189 be enacted, the cost of inspections
would affect both school districts and contractors because there
are district-operated school buses and contractor-operated
school buses.
8:17:40 AM
ELWIN BLACKWELL, School Finance Manager, School Finance and
Facilities Section, EED, in response to Chair Drummond, further
explained the Anchorage School District (ASD) operates
approximately 122 buses and Reliant Transportation operates
approximately 181 school buses.
CHAIR DRUMMOND asked whether the department contracts to have
all the buses inspected.
MS. TESHNER said correct.
8:18:40 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ clarified [Fiscal Note Identifier:
HB189-EED-SFF-3-31-17] indicates the costs that are currently
being paid by the state are moved either to school districts or
to contractors. She pointed out the fiscal note cost estimates
are: $95,600 in fiscal year 2019 (FY 19); $97,000 in FY 20;
$107,900 in FY 21. Further, the fiscal note indicates the state
would collect fees to implement the program.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSTON asked EED to provide inspection data and
whether safety violations have been routinely reported. In
addition, she questioned whether the contractor [performing the
inspections] is a certified school bus inspector.
MR. BLACKWELL said the contractor hired by the state has been
trained as a school bus inspector; the same contractor has been
doing the inspections for approximately 10-15 years and follows
specific criteria.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSTON asked whether a local garage or mechanic
could satisfy the requirements for the inspections and avoid
travel costs.
MS. TESHNER offered to provide the data requested.
REPRESENTATIVE PARISH observed the bill does not provide for a
change in the contractor who is currently performing
inspections.
MS. TESHNER agreed.
8:23:40 AM
CHAIR DRUMMOND asked the bill sponsor whether the number of
inspections per year is sufficient, or whether one inspection
per year would be adequate.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON noted the intent of the bill is not
just who pays for the inspections but to point out some regions
have public bus transportation systems that are not inspected,
and public safety issues are not a topic of discussion. She
opined if inspections were determined by "local control"
inspections of school buses and of public transportation may
increase. Data from the department - indicating the number of
past violations - may be informational, but the liability is
held by the local government, school districts, and bus
operators. The primary intent is to extract the government out
of the process, and to look for cost savings and more
flexibility in student transportation.
CHAIR DRUMMOND related some school districts have difficulty
finding school bus drivers to train; further, she was informed
ASD is cooperating with the public transit system in Anchorage
[to provide student transportation].
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON acknowledged options may well be
available using public transportation systems already in place;
however, the liability issue remains a concern, and to ensure
children get to school in the safest way possible.
8:27:47 AM
[HB 189 was held over.]
^PRESENTATION: Northwestern Alaska Career and Technical Center
(NACTEC)
PRESENTATION: Northwestern Alaska Career and Technical Center
(NACTEC)
8:27:54 AM
CHAIR DRUMMOND announced that the final order of business would
be a presentation from the Northwestern Alaska Career and
Technical Center (NACTEC).
8:28:03 AM
DOUG WALRATH PhD, Director, Northwestern Alaska Career and
Technical Center (NACTEC), informed the committee he has served
as the director of NACTEC for eight years. [NACTEC] is the Nome
Census Area Regional Training Center that began in 2003-2004,
and that delivers over 30 vocational training programs, also
known as technical education. The center operates in
partnership with the Bering Strait School District (BSSD), and
Nome Public Schools (NPS), and was founded to effectively reduce
high school dropout rates. He noted the Nome-Beltz High School
was built in 1966 as a vocational boarding school and BSSD, NPS,
and the Regional Learning Center program collaborated to restore
vocational aspects to each school district. Further, NACTEC
offers variable term residential programs, which are courses
between one and four weeks in length, from August through June.
In 2008, a new 26-bed student dormitory was built (slide 1).
Slide 2 was a map that illustrated Nome is a regional hub for
the Bering Strait and Norton Sound regions, thus NACTEC serves
students from as far north as Shishmaref, west to Little
Diomede, Gambell, and Savoonga, south to Stebbins and St.
Michael, and east to Unalakleet and Shaktoolik; however, 90
percent of its students come from BBSD and NPS. [NACTEC] has
partnerships with 55 villages and other school districts,
including Chugach School District, and he provided examples
(slide 3). Dr. Walrath opined partnerships create opportunities
for students.
8:33:11 AM
DR. WALRATH advised NACTEC is a small organization and provided
an organizational chart, describing the responsibilities of each
position, and noting that he oversees a program coordinator,
five instructors, a counselor, adjunct faculty, and classified
staff (slide 4). [NACTEC's] mission and vision statements were
provided on slides 5 and 6, and focus on students' life, work
readiness, academic and career awareness skills, and work ethics
for independent living with a healthy cultural identity.
DR. WALRATH continued to explain a 24/7 residential program
needs a certain structure to ensure that students are making
positive choices and he described the school's daily schedule
beginning at 6:00 a.m. through 10:30 p.m. Activities and
classes include: room inspections, mealtimes, swimming at the
city pool, American Red Cross first aid certification, core
training classes, community activities, chores, homework time,
and private/room time. He detailed each aspect to emphasize
what the students are gaining from each experience. The
training available at NACTEC was listed on a document entitled,
"2016-2017 NACTEC Training Calendar," provided in the committee
packet. After the block of training time, at 3:30 p.m.,
students transition to one hour of career skills and career
counseling, during which students make a connection between
their training and their life goals, with support from an
employment security specialist at the Nome Alaska Job Center.
In the evening, students continue with life skills such as
cooking and cleanup duties, evening activities, homework, and
lights out at 10:30 p.m. (slide 7). He suggested the most
important element of the two-week program is the element of Life
Skills/Independent Living, such as conflict resolution, chores,
parenting with baby simulators, all which are scored (slide 8).
Turning to the topic of programming, Dr. Walrath said training
is based around Alaska's priority industries: healthcare,
construction, transportation, seafood harvesting and processing,
hospitality and tourism, education, information technology, and
natural resource development (slide 9). As an aside, he noted
NACTEC originally delivered high school training programs,
however, it became evident that programs needed to commence at
the junior high level, thus there are shorter junior high
programs for eighth grade students who come with a chaperone
from home. Experiences available through the junior high
programs are with the Army Air National Guard, public safety,
firefighting, aviation, and nursing with hands-on training. He
advised junior high participants enter high school with a 21
percent advantage over those who haven't participated at a
younger age (slide 10).
8:46:05 AM
DR. WALRATH explained each training strand offers a student both
dual credit, certification, or a value-added element. For
example, the Healthcare strand includes the foundational course
of first aid and CPR, and then guides students to more senior
courses such as Introduction to Health Careers (slide 11).
Therefore, students who graduate from the Healthcare strand may
continue to postsecondary training in nursing and healthcare
fields, return to their villages as trained, employable
certificated workers, and attain a higher level of employment
than previously available. He gave an example of a student's
successful career path from healthcare aide to practitioner and
described further training available to students and adults at a
local health provider (slides 12-13). Within the strand of
Construction, he detailed and provided several anecdotal stories
of "real world" projects between 2010 and 2015; for example,
construction students built a 12-foot by 16-foot safety shelter
in the village of Solomon, and students use a heavy equipment
student simulator that was converted from a recreation area in
2009-2010 with funds sourced through the Alaska Education Tax
Credit (slide 14). He directed attention to information
provided in the committee packet, and further noted real
experiences with heavy equipment for the students trained on the
simulator ranged from moving snow to asphalt paving (slides 15-
17). The Hospitality and Tourism strand has a Native
Arts/Business, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship focus on topics
such as bone carving, skin sewing, and traditional kayak
construction and use, which are topics that attract interest
from students (slides 18-19). In fact, in 2016, the students -
guided by an elder - built a King Island style kayak, the first
built in 30 years, and additional information was included in
the committee packet (slides 19-20). Also, students learn from
elders the arts of skin sewing hats and mittens and ivory
carving, and the marketing thereof (slide 21). Included in the
Hospitality and Tourism strand is earning a food worker
certification and learning aspects of food service in commercial
settings (slide 22). The Transportation strand is highlighted
by aviation, driver education for autos, and boater safety
certifications; he acknowledged many students attend NACTEC for
driver education because they may not have driving opportunities
in their villages, and a diploma and a driver license are
prerequisites to enter the world of work (slides 23-24).
[NACTEC] is a Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Department of
Administration, approved third-party road test examiner and
thereby in FY 16 tripled the licenses and permits attained by
students and adults (slide 25). Finally, within the
Transportation strand, aviation training includes [airframe
and/or powerplant (A&P)] mechanic training and he noted students
are in the process of rebuilding a 1962 Piper Colt, from the
frame to the engine. He advised there is private industry
support for aviation training (slide 27). Students were also
recently involved in assisting a visiting historical
organization disassemble a World War II era B25 bomber (slide
28). The last training strand he discussed was Seafood
Harvesting and Processing programs which are supported by Norton
Sound Seafood Products, the Norton Sound Economic Development
Corp., and other partners. Slide 30 illustrated students in
various related activities, such as egg collecting and capturing
fish. Also included in the aforementioned strand is a water-
and land-based Arctic survival element (slide 30).
9:11:05 AM
DR. WALRATH directed attention to slide 31, which illustrated
three of fifteen students who have begun classes at the Alaska
Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC) in Seward in a "handhold"
transitions program; the transitions program was instituted to
increase students' chances for success when enrolling at AVTEC
or another postsecondary program. In order to document NACTEC's
impact on its region, four graphs provided supporting data,
beginning with slide 32, which illustrated increased enrollment
on a trimester schedule from 2003-2004 through 2015-2016. The
first six years enrollment at NACTEC averaged 241 students and
when compared to BSSD graduation rates, he concluded that BSSD
graduation rates increased after NACTEC was founded. As NACTEC
attendance increased, graduation rates at affected school
districts - as a whole - steadily improved, and the dropout
rates decreased from an average of double-digit rates. As an
aside, he advised studies show "the cost of a dropout is
$292,000..." thus reduced dropout rates have made a difference
of $8.5 million per graduating class over a lifetime of
earnings. Further, EED and NACTEC data from 2011-2014 shows
students who have attended NACTEC have a graduation rate 22
percent higher than the BSSD population of students as a whole
(slides 33-35). Dr. Walrath directed attention to additional
documents in the committee packet and showcased a student who
became a UAF scholar in construction management, as well as a
student who became a certified BSSD teacher (slides 36-37).
9:23:45 AM
DR. WALRATH closed with recommendations for continued success at
NACTEC, which include: Alaska Education Tax Credit, currently
under a 2018 sunset, needs to be extended; increase to Carl D.
Perkins vocational funding; legislation promoting collaborative
approaches between school districts (slide 38). Further, he
pointed out NACTEC high school and junior high programs are
operating at 93 percent of capacity; in fact, the center
receives almost twice the number of applications than can be
accommodated.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSTON noted NACTEC showed a decrease in
enrollment in 2016 and asked what occurred.
DR. WALRATH explained NACTEC lost nearly 30 percent of its
undesignated general fund (UGF) funding over 2015-2016;
therefore, a teaching position was lost as well as two training
programs. As a result, new and existing partnerships with
Native corporations supplemented funding, school district funds
were redirected, and about one-fourth of the lost funding was
offset. However, a loss of 50 students resulted. In further
response to Representative Johnston, he said gun hunter
education has been taught and may be again within the strand of
Arctic survival and outdoor leadership and guiding.
REPRESENTATIVE PARISH praised the increases in graduation rates
and asked whether long-term outcomes are known.
DR. WALRATH expressed hope a longitudinal study could be
undertaken; in fact, the certified nursing assistant (CNA)
training program was tracked locally on a limited basis, and two
years ago, of 40 students who have completed the CNA training
program, 58 percent were working at Norton Sound Health
Corporation and\or were involved in scholarships for higher
education. Further, records at UA Fairbanks Northwest Campus
showed 67 percent of the trainees continued to postsecondary
education.
9:32:22 AM
CHAIR DRUMMOND clarified NACTEC seeks research to follow former
students into their careers; EED does not provide data.
DR. WALRATH affirmed NACTEC would benefit from reporting by an
outside agency [on related data].
CHAIR DRUMMOND recalled a longitudinal study to develop a
database and follow Alaska school system students through
postsecondary education and into the work world was suspended.
She expressed concern that flat funding has caused a loss of
instructors at NACTEC. She reviewed a current proposal in the
legislature that would cut $69 million from the base student
allocation and would further impact NACTEC programs.
DR. WALRATH acknowledged cuts to UGF led to impacts on programs;
funding of the Carl Perkins Career and Technical Education
Improvement Act was new to NACTEC this school year, and Norton
Sound Economic Development Corporation and other Native
corporations are utilizing the Alaska Education Tax Credit
program to leverage support. However, student enrollment will
go up based on students' interest, but cuts may not allow the
expansion of opportunities to NSD students in a nonresidential
setting.
CHAIR DRUMMOND surmised NACTEC facilities are not used as fully
as they were in the past.
DR. WALRATH clarified last year NACTEC scaled back and Sitnasuak
Native Corporation provided funds for a driver education
position; however, it is a time-consuming process to seek
additional funding sources as the amount of funding shrinks. In
further response to Chair Drummond, he acknowledged more of his
time is devoted to grant writing and partnership outreach.
CHAIR DRUMMOND agreed the Alaska Education Tax Credit program is
critical and she pledged to introduce a bill to extend the
sunset date. She asked for the percentage of students in NPS
and BSSD that NACTEC can "reach."
DR. WALRATH said BSSD last year had 63 percent in high school
training programs; 82 percent including junior and high school.
[BSSD] represents 15 villages and 89 percent of the population
in the region.
CHAIR DRUMMOND questioned whether NACTEC could have served more
students given sufficient funding and instructional capacity.
DR. WALRATH returned attention to the committee handout
entitled, "2016-2017 NACTEC Training Calendar," and pointed out
the training calendar is "very packed, throughout the year."
9:40:29 AM
CHAIR DRUMMOND returned to driver's education and asked where
students take driver permit tests.
DR. WALRATH related NACTEC is working to set up village proctors
so the permit test can be provided in villages in the future.
In further response to Chair Drummond, he said NACTEC is a
third-party examiner, so it can administer road test
examinations in addition to DMV in Nome.
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP said the program is inspiring and provides a
needed model for education in Alaska, especially as NACTEC
partners with the private sector to advance local residents'
employability in rural communities of the state, supported by
funding through the Alaska Education Tax Credit program.
DR. WALRATH related the Southwest Alaska Vocational and
Education Center (SAVEC) is a [Rapid Response Training Center
for Training and Workforce Development located on the King
Salmon Air Force Base in Bristol Bay]; regional training centers
are also supported by Alaska Technical and Vocational Education
Program (TVEP) funding. He agreed industry funding has
established workforce development in many areas of Alaska; in
addition, education at the local level costs less and "we can
develop the folks who will care for others in our regions ...."
9:45:16 AM
CHAIR DRUMMOND recalled her visit to NACTEC and to the Alaska
Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC), and suggested the committee
organize a similar tour over the upcoming interim. She asked
about the funding of the boarding school and whether the idea
was originally conceived and funded by NPS and BSSD school
districts.
DR. WALRATH explained [residential] school stipends became
available around 2013-2014. [NACTEC's] application was accepted
for residential school stipends through EED, which offset
students' living expenses. Currently, NACTEC has three primary
funding sources: residential school stipends, TVEP funding, and
the education tax credits that are a mechanism by which NACTEC
can solicit funding [from private sources]. He advised NACTEC
previously had four funding sources, including UGF funds, but
now is left to three sources, all of which are critically
important. In further response to Chair Drummond, he confirmed
UGF funds disappeared entirely on June 29, [2016].
DR. WALRATH further explained TVEP grants are provided by the
Department of Labor & Workforce Development and are funded by
unemployment insurance contributions. In further response to
Chair Drummond, he said some other middle and high school
facilities similar to NACTEC include the Voyage to Excellence
program, Chugach School District; Star of the Northwest Magnet
School, Northwest Arctic Borough School District; EXCEL Alaska,
Kuspuk School District.
9:50:35 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Education Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 9:50 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB189 Sponsor Statement 3.24.17.pdf |
HEDC 4/5/2017 8:00:00 AM |
HB 189 |
| HB0189A 3.24.17.PDF |
HEDC 4/5/2017 8:00:00 AM |
HB 189 |
| HB189 Fiscal Note EED 3.31.17.pdf |
HEDC 4/5/2017 8:00:00 AM |
HB 189 |