Legislature(2023 - 2024)DAVIS 106
02/13/2023 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Overview(s): Division of Library, Archives, and Museums | |
| Overview(s): Mt. Edgecumbe High School | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
February 13, 2023
8:01 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Jamie Allard, Co-Chair
Representative Justin Ruffridge, Co-Chair
Representative Mike Prax
Representative CJ McCormick
Representative Tom McKay
Representative Rebecca Himschoot
Representative Andi Story
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
OVERVIEW: DIVISION OF LIBRARY, ARCHIVES, AND MUSEUMS
- HEARD
^OVERVIEW(S): MT. EDGECUMBE HIGH SCHOOL
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
SABRINA JAVIER, Director
Administrative Services
Department of Education and Early Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the presentation
on the Division of Libraries, Archives, and Museums.
AMY PHILLIPS-CHAN, PhD, Director
Division of Libraries, Archives, and Museums
Department of Education and Early Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-presented a PowerPoint, titled "Division
of Libraries, Archives and Museums."
LACEY SANDERS, Deputy Commissioner
Office of the Commissioner
Department of Education and Early Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the presentation
on the Division of Libraries, Archives, and Museums.
SUZZUK HUNTINGTON, Superintendent
Mt. Edgecumbe High School
Sitka, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented a PowerPoint, titled "Mt.
Edgecumbe High School."
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:01:00 AM
CO-CHAIR JAMIE ALLARD called the House Education Standing
Committee meeting to order at 8:01 a.m. Representatives Prax,
McKay, Himschoot, Ruffridge, and Allard were present at the call
to order. Representatives McCormick and Story arrived as the
meeting was in progress.
8:01:31 AM
^OVERVIEW(S): Division of Library, Archives, and Museums
OVERVIEW(S): Division of Library, Archives, and Museums
CHAIR ALLARD announced that the first order of business would be
a presentation by the Division of Library, Archives, and
Museums.
8:02:33 AM
AMY PHILLIPS-CHAN, PhD, Director, Division of Libraries,
Archives and Museums (LAM), Department of Education and Early
Development (DEED), co-presented a PowerPoint, titled "Division
of Libraries, Archives & Museums" [hard copy included in the
committee packet]. She introduced herself and proceeded to
explain LAM's mission, vision, and purpose, as seen on slide 2.
She explained that for fiscal year 2023 (FY 23), LAM is working
in partnership with DEED to advance the strategic priorities, as
seen on slide 3, to heed Alaska's education challenge. She
stated that for this a new position has been created, titled
"Early Literacy Children's Coordinator." She explained that the
function of this position is to coordinate with Alaska's youth
service librarians.
8:04:32 AM
DR. PHILLIPS-CHAN moved to slide 4 which showed a chart of
DEED's budget, and she pointed out LAM's budget, which is
divided into seven main components: library operations,
archives, museums operations, online with libraries, live
homework help, Andrew P. Kashevaroff (APK) facilities
maintenance, and broadband assistance grants. On slide 5, she
provided information on the APK facilities. She addressed the
resources the state library provides, including the availability
of materials in various formats. She detailed the grants which
support various programs. She also noted the library provides a
statewide summer reading program which helps promote literacy
and mitigate summer learning loss.
8:07:15 AM
DR. PHILLIPS-CHAN moved on to slide 6 and discussed the archives
component of LAM, which is located in the APJ building. She
explained that one of the priorities of the state archives is to
preserve and provide access to government records that document
Alaska's history. She noted the number of researchers who use
this resource, and the materials and digital records accessed.
She addressed the new acquisition the state archives received
over the last year. She proceeded to slide 7, addressing the
LAM's museum operations. She pointed out that the state
operates two museums: The Alaska State Museum in Juneau and the
Sheldon Jackson Museum in Sitka. She described the museums'
strong cultural ties, their collaborative partnerships, the
development of exhibits and educational programs, and research
projects.
8:12:56 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT questioned the Sheldon Jackson Museum's
stance on holding collections which are important to the local
Indigenous people.
DR. PHILLIPS-CHAN replied that the team at the Sheldon Jackson
Museum has fostered a great working relationship with Indigenous
community members in Sitka and across Southeast Alaska. She
described how the Native communities have access to the
collections on display and those stored. In response to a
follow-up question, she stated that, regarding space and
collection storage areas, the museum is currently at capacity.
8:15:24 AM
DR. PHILLIPS-CHAN, in response to Co-Chair Ruffridge, answered
that there is only one state library, and this is in Juneau.
8:16:17 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCORMICK asked about LAM's repatriation efforts
for artifacts currently housed out of state or even
internationally.
DR. PHILLIPS-CHAN replied LAM does not have control over these
items. She stated that LAM only functions as an educational
resource for community members.
8:17:28 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked how many Alaska museums and cultural
centers LAM helps support.
DR. PHILLIPS-CHAN answered there are around 100 museums and
cultural centers in Alaska that are all eligible to participate
in LAM's main grant program, Grant-In-Aid (GIA). She stated
that last year GIA allocated $100,000 in grants.
8:19:06 AM
DR. PHILLIPS-CHAN continued the presentation on slide 8,
addressing the Online with Libraries (OWL) program. She
explained the OWL project offers grants to Alaska public
libraries to help with Internet costs, a Zoom account for
training, and story times for children. She proceeded to slide
9, addressing the Live Homework Help, which is an online
tutorial program for students in grades K-12 and intro level
college students. In addition to tutoring, she explained users
can receive help preparing materials for finding employment.
8:21:04 AM
DR. PHILLIPS-CHAN, in response to Representative Story, stated
that there were 12,883 students served by live homework help
during the 2021 to 2022 school year.
DR. PHILLIPS-CHAN continued to slide 10, addressing the
maintenance of the APK facilities. She stated that the budget
of this component supports construction, maintenance, contracts,
and opportunities to promote LAM to diverse audiences. She
proceeded to slide 11, addressing the Alaska School Broadband
Assistance Grants (BAG), which was developed to assist schools
increase Internet download speeds.
8:24:37 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX, concerning BAG, questioned whether LAM is
working with any other government departments, specifically the
Alaska Broadband Office.
DR. PHILLIPS-CHAN responded that BAG does not directly interface
with the Alaska Broadband Office.
8:27:32 AM
LACEY SANDERS, Deputy Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner,
Department of Education and Early Development, addressing the
question, explained that DEED is working on a broader level
[than LAM], as it has a seat at the statewide broadband council
and participates in the conversation on the education piece
concerning the need of broadband across the state.
8:28:40 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE asked what other entity held the OWL program
previously.
DR. PHILLIPS-CHAN explained that the program originally was
funded federally through the American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act of 2009. She stated that in 2013, the state took over
funding for the program, which is now managed by the Alaska
State Library, under LAM.
8:30:31 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT requested information concerning
services for the needs of the visually impaired.
DR. PHILLIPS-CHAN responded there is the Alaska Talking Book
Center in Juneau. She expressed uncertainty concerning the
number of users of this resource. She offered to provide data
on the number of users at a later date. In response to a
follow-up question regarding additional services for the
visually impaired, she recommended that DEED be contacted with
the exact needs.
8:32:37 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX noted a requirement in the Executive Budget
Act to ask about specific missions and goals. He questioned
where to find the information on LAM.
SABRINA JAVIER, Director, Administrative Services, Department of
Education and Early Development, stated the information can be
obtained on the Office of Management and Budget's website by
searching DEED's link to FY 24.
8:33:57 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY questioned whether 25 megabits per second
should be the minimum Internet speed for rural school districts,
and she questioned whether better broadband access statewide has
been discussed.
MS. PHILLIPS-CHAN responded that LAM would follow whatever is
signed into law by the governor.
8:35:36 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:35 a.m. to 8:36 a.m.
^OVERVIEW(S): MT. EDGECUMBE HIGH SCHOOL
OVERVIEW(S): Mt. Edgecumbe High School
8:36:28 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD announced that the next order of business would
be a presentation on Mt. Edgecumbe High School.
8:37:04 AM
SUZZUK HUNTINGTON, Superintendent, Mt. Edgecumbe High School
(MEHS), provided a brief personal background. She began the
PowerPoint presentation, titled "Mt. Edgecumbe High School,"
[hard copy included in the committee packet] on slide 2, titled
"Mission, Vision, and Purpose." She stressed that MEHS takes
Alaska's education challenge to heart. She moved to slide 3,
titled "Strategic Priorities: Alaska's Education Challenge."
She noted that MEHS fully supports students reading at grade
level. She proceeded to slide 4, titled "Budget Organizational
Chart" and noted that MEHS is a division within DEED but stands-
alone in most areas. She pointed out where MEHS sits in the
organizational chart shown on the slide, and its role with other
divisions.
8:40:04 AM
MS. HUNTINGTON moved to slide 5 which addressed school
enrollment, annual scholarships awarded, courses and class size,
and costs of attendance. She continued to slide 6, which showed
the breakdown of the number of students, communities, and types
of districts involved with MEHS. She noted MEHS's students come
from 38 school districts across Alaska.
MS. HUNTINGTON moved to slide 7 and discussed MEHS's admission
process. She pointed out the application timelines and noted
that MEHS accepts about 50 percent of the roughly 350
applications received each year; criteria and process are also
highlighted on the slide. She continued to slide 8 and
discussed MEHS's aquatic center. She stated that many classes
are offered, including lifeguard training, with student workers
often lifeguarding open swims. She also emphasized that
community partnerships contribute to the center's self-
sufficiency, as fees for the pool cover its expenses.
8:47:47 AM
MS. HUNTINGTON moved to slide 9 and gave a quick highlight of
sports and activities offered at MEHS. The slide showed the
current school year's participation rates in various sports.
She pointed out the many non-sports activities listed on slide
10. She noted that the honor society is not shown on the slide.
She continued to slide 11, pointing out academic highlights at
MEHS. She explained MEHS does not hold to the minimum state
requirements, as it has requirements beyond the minimums in many
areas. She gave a brief synopsis of this. She moved to slide
12 and discussed industry certificates available for students.
She pointed out that these come through partnerships with the
University of Alaska Southeast. She stated that the
certificates offered range from the medical field to those in
construction, such as welding.
8:54:28 AM
MS. HUNTINGTON discussed the numerous activities dedicated to
recreation at MEHS, as seen listed on slide 13. Continuing to
slide 14, she reiterated the emphasis on developing leadership
at MEHS, and she pointed out the opportunities for students to
serve as leaders, as listed on the slide. She proceeded to
slide 15, titled "Mt. Edgecumbe High School (MEHS) Wellness
Highlights." This includes counseling departments, partnerships
with mental health resources, and the proactive responsiveness
to various student needs.
MS. HUNTINGTON concluded with slide 16, titled "Mt. Edgecumbe
High School (MEHS) Cultural Highlights." She stated that Native
Alaska languages are highlighted at MEHS as dual credit courses.
She pointed out that this year there is a new cultural
integration specialist, with a language leadership club designed
to revitalize languages.
9:01:07 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD stated that a question-and-answer meeting on
this subject would be scheduled at a future date.
9:01:35 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Education Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 9:02 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| 1. DEED LAM FY23 School Broadband Assistance Grants (BAG) Districts and Schools.pdf |
HEDC 2/13/2023 8:00:00 AM |
HEC - School Broadband Assistance Grants DEED Presentation |
| 02.13.2023 House Education Committee LAM and MEHS Follow-up Responses.pdf |
HEDC 2/13/2023 8:00:00 AM |