Legislature(2023 - 2024)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/12/2024 03:30 PM Senate EDUCATION
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| Presentation: Association of Alaska School Boards Legislative Fly-in | |
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
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+ teleconferenced
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ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
February 12, 2024
3:32 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Löki Tobin, Chair
Senator Gary Stevens, Vice Chair
Senator Jesse Bjorkman
Senator Jesse Kiehl
Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION: ASSOCIATION OF ALASKA SCHOOL BOARDS LEGISLATIVE
FLY-IN
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
DAVE JOHNSON, President
Kodiak Island Borough Board of Education
Kodiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of increasing the BSA.
TESSA DAVIS, Student
Kodiak Island Borough School District
Kodiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of increase the BSA.
GWYNETH EGGLESTON, Student
Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 24.
MAGGIE COTHRON, Student
Anchorage School District
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 65.
COLTON PENETAC, Student
Anchorage School District
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 65.
ACA UTICA, Student
Frontier Charter School
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of school choice.
MARGO BELLAMY, President
Anchorage School Board
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of students.
KELLY LESSENS, Member
Anchorage School Board
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of increasing the BSA.
JARRON NASH, President
Soldotna Student Council
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of increasing the BSA.
SHAY NASH, Principal
River City Academy
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of increasing the BSA.
MAGGIE GREINER, Student
Nikiski Middle-High School
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Nikiski, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of increasing the BSA.
PENNY VADLAR, Member
Kenai School Board
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of increasing the BSA.
KERRY MAHONEY, Member
Unalaska School Board
Unalaska, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of increasing the BSA.
AMANDA SCHAMAHL, Member
Unalaska School Board
Unalaska, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of increasing the BSA.
JASMINE WOLFE, Student
Sitka School District
Sitka, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 65.
AUBREY LARUE, Student
Sitka School District
Sitka, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 65.
KYLIE ORLANDO, Student
Sitka School District
Sitka, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 24.
EDWARD RICHARDS, Student
Sitka School District
Sitka, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of increasing the BSA.
NEAL STANFORD, Student
Sleetmute School
Kuspuk School District
Aniak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of increasing the BSA.
KAYLA, NLN, Student
Sleetmute School
Kuspuk School District
Aniak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support Sleetmute.
KILEY HAYDEN, Student
Sleetmute School
Kuspuk School District
Aniak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of increasing the BSA.
ELSIE SIMON, Member,
Kuspuk School Board
Aniak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of an increase to the
BSA.
LAUREY THOMAS, President
Yukon Flats School Board
Fort Yukon, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of increasing the BSA.
MARLIN JIMMY, Member
Yukon Flats School Board
Fort Yukon, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of increasing the BSA.
LON GARRISON, Executive Director
Association of Alaska School Boards
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of increasing the BSA.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:32:33 PM
CHAIR LÖKI TOBIN called the Senate Education Standing Committee
meeting to order at 3:32 p.m. Present at the call to order were
Senators Gray-Jackson, Bjorkman, Stevens, Kiehl, and Chair
Tobin.
^Presentation: Association of Alaska School Boards Legislative
Fly-in
PRESENTATION:
ASSOCIATION OF ALASKA SCHOOL BOARDS LEGISLATIVE FLY-IN
3:33:10 PM
CHAIR TOBIN announced the consideration of a presentation by the
Association of Alaska School Boards (AASB). She stated that
school board members and students from across Alaska would
testify by district. The meeting is held in conjunction with the
Legislative Fly-in, Leadership Academy, and Youth Advocacy
Institute, which is sponsored by AASB.
3:34:20 PM
CHAIR TOBIN stated that representatives from Kodiak Island
School District would start the presentation.
3:34:34 PM
DAVE JOHNSON, President, Kodiak Island Borough Board of
Education, Kodiak, Alaska, testified in support of increasing
the BSA. DAVE JOHNSON testified that he came to Juneau last year
and shared his life story, highlighting his journey from a
lower-middle-class background in Seward, Alaska, to a 20-year
career in the U.S. Coast Guard. He expressed concern over the
ongoing funding crisis in the education system, noting that
despite previous warnings, little has changed. He criticized the
state for neglecting teachers, who have seen their pay drop from
the highest in the nation to the middle, and for using poor
educational outcomes to justify further cuts. He said the
argument that the State spends the most per student is a false
narrative and opined that when healthcare, fuel and
transportation are eliminated from the equation, the spending on
students is not where it needs to be. He urged the Legislature
to take meaningful action, condemning the reliance on charter
schools as a solution and stressing the importance of preserving
programs like Career and Technical Education (CTE) that are
vital to Alaska's future. He concluded by calling on those who
benefited from public education to address the crisis rather
than offering empty platitudes.
3:38:25 PM
TESSA DAVIS, Student, Kodiak Island Borough School District,
Kodiak, Alaska, testified in support of increase the BSA. She
expressed support for HB 65. She shared that her family moved to
Kodiak because of the diverse opportunities and clubs offered by
Kodiak High School, which had greatly enhanced her educational
experience compared to her previous school in Wyoming. Tessa
emphasized how much she enjoys participating in extracurricular
activities like jazz band, chess club, cheer, and swim, which
make learning more engaging. She expressed concern that flat
funding is causing these programs to disappear, jeopardizing
both her education and future opportunities. She continued by
questioning how Alaska can expect to produce the next generation
of professionals if programs such as Certified Nursing
Assistant, welding, and woodshop are not funded. She emphasized
the importance of investing in quality teaching positions to
sustain arts and technical education, which are essential for a
well-rounded education. She argued that raising the Base Student
Allocation (BSA) is not optional but essential for the well-
being of students and the state's future. She noted that the BSA
hasn't been increased in eight years, and the consequences are
now visible, urging that the time to act is now. The BSA has not
increased in eight years. She stressed that raising the BSA
would not only enhance education quality but also encourage
students like her to remain in Alaska. She highlighted the
disheartening effects of budget cuts and appealed to legislators
to pass the bill, emphasizing that students are only asking for
the bare minimum and trusting lawmakers to make the right
decision.
3:41:23 PM
CHAIR TOBIN invited members of the Anchorage School District to
testify.
3:42:04 PM
GWYNETH EGGLESTON, Student, Bettye Davis East Anchorage High
School, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SB 24, which
advocates for mental health education for students and teachers.
She shared that her family moved to Kotzebue, Alaska, due to the
community's need for her mother, a therapist, highlighting the
severe lack of mental health education in rural areas. Now
living in Anchorage, she noted that the issue persists even in
urban settings, where many students struggle with mental health
issues, often resorting to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as
isolation, lashing out, or self-harm. The speaker emphasized the
alarming statistic that 90 percent of people who die by suicide
have a diagnosable and treatable mental or substance abuse
disorder, underscoring the urgent need for better mental health
education and resources. She argued that SB 24 is crucial in
providing students with the tools to understand and manage their
mental health and enabling staff to support students
effectively. She questioned whether any alternative legislation
would address the growing youth mental health crisis in Alaska,
stressing that students cannot focus on education if their
mental health is neglected.
3:44:34 PM
MAGGIE COTHRON, Student, Anchorage School District, Anchorage,
Alaska, testified in support of HB 65. She emphasized the
critical need to increase the Base Student Allocation (BSA). She
reflected on the difficulty of imagining what a fully funded
school district looks like, noting that she has never
experienced it herself. Sharing her personal story as a dyslexic
student who only received the necessary support in upper
elementary school, she highlighted that many students do not
share her success. She warned that without a BSA increase, the
district could face the largest class sizes in 20 years, which
would further strain teacher retention and hinder meaningful
student-teacher connections.
3:46:18 PM
COLTON PENETAC, Student, Anchorage School District, Anchorage,
Alaska, testified in support of HB 65. He stated schools need
the Base Student Allocation (BSA) raised to $1413. He warned
that if this bill doesn't pass, class sizes will increase
significantly, citing a projected rise from 27.4 to 32.18
students per teacher for grades 6-12. He noted that services
will diminish, user fees will rise, and the district's emergency
reserve is nearly depleted. He highlighted the potential loss of
36 teaching positions, cuts to immersion programs, and increased
counselor ratios, totaling over $8 million in necessary funding.
He stressed that passing this HB 65 would reverse these cuts and
emphasized the importance of stable teacher-student
relationships, sharing how his teachers helped him, but many
have since left. He urged support for the bill, especially for
his sister, who is struggling and would benefit from improved
educational resources.
3:48:23 PM
ACA UTICA, Student, Frontier Charter School, Anchorage, Alaska,
testified in support of school choice, emphasizing its
importance for Alaska's diverse needs. He highlighted that
students involved in sports or those with special needs often
struggle to get the right education in traditional brick-and-
mortar schools, citing his special-needs cousins who benefit
from Family Partnership's tailored program. Utica noted that
charter and correspondence schools in Alaska offer a more
efficient student-teacher ratio, allowing for personalized
education. He shared his success as a lifelong charter school
student, dual-enrolled at the University of Alaska, and
mentioned his sister, who graduated from Family Partnership with
significant college credits and is now Miss Alaska. Utica argued
that school choice empowers parents and students to make the
best educational decisions, leading to more successful outcomes
for the state.
3:51:40 PM
MARGO BELLAMY, President, Anchorage School Board, Anchorage,
Alaska, testified in support of students. She emphasized the
urgency of addressing the needs of students, highlighting that
these are critical times that require immediate attention. She
acknowledged the financial challenges facing the community,
stating that the situation affects not only Anchorage's 43,000
students but also the entire state of Alaska. She underscored
the importance of listening to the voices of students, thanking
everyone for taking the time to consider their perspectives.
3:52:56 PM
KELLY LESSENS, Member, Anchorage School Board, Anchorage,
Alaska, testified in support of increasing the BSA and shared
that a girl in fourth grade was reading, "Don't Let the Pigeon
Drive the Bus," noting her concern that this book is typically
for younger children, while the girl's peers were reading more
advanced material. She also recounted an interaction with
another fourth grader who urged her to save the Ignite program
and suggested solutions to the district's financial challenges.
She highlighted the wide range of student needs and stressed
that current funding levels are insufficient to support all
students, especially with a pupil-teacher ratio of 28 in fifth
grade, the highest it has been in 20 years. She asked her
colleagues for support to help students reach their potential.
3:55:30 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON expressed appreciation for support of SB 24
and asked that Ms. Eggleston provide her testimony in writing.
MS. EGGLESTON replied she would submit written testimony.
3:56:10 PM
SENATOR STEVENS commented that he was pleased to hear Ms.
Eggleston attend Betty Davis High School, as she was a powerful
woman who served as chair of the Health and Education Social
Services Committee before there was an education committee.
3:57:07 PM
JARRON NASH, President, Soldotna Student Council, Kenai
Peninsula Borough School District, Soldotna, Alaska, testified
in support of increasing the BSA. He emphasized that an increase
is necessary to preserve communities and schools. Nash, who
aspires to become a teacher in Alaska, shared his experience
teaching a lesson to elementary school students and the joy he
felt in creating a safe space for learning. He highlighted the
importance of education in fostering growth and capability in
students. Nash urged for support in funding schools, stressing
that it impacts future generations of Alaskans. He asked what
could be done to ensure that when he tells people he will be
teaching in Alaska, they respond with the same excitement he
feels.
3:59:09 PM
SHAY NASH, Principal, River City Academy, Kenai Peninsula
Borough School District, Soldotna, Alaska, testified in support
of increasing the BSA. He shared a personal anecdote as the
father of Jarron Nash. He explained that River City Academy had
a mentor for students in the middle college program, which his
son participated in. He expressed concern over a comment made by
a legislative representative to his son, stating that the
mission of schools is limited to reading, writing, and
arithmetic. He questioned the value of these subjects if they
don't lead to student success. He then recounted how the
mentor's support helped his son during a critical moment,
ultimately leading to life-saving medical intervention. He
emphasized the importance of roles like this mentor's, which go
beyond traditional academics, and urged support through a BSA
increase to preserve such essential positions. He noted that the
position no longer exists due to budget constraints.
4:01:21 PM
MAGGIE GREINER, Student, Nikiski Middle-High School, Kenai
Peninsula Borough School District, Nikiski, Alaska, testified in
support of increasing the BSA. She said she is the student
representative of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
and shared her recent experience with a middle school student
council class. She was impressed by the sixth and seventh
graders' understanding of complex ideas like compromise and
empathy, which they were applying in their student government.
Greiner noted that such outcomes, while valuable, are difficult
to measure. She expressed concern about the impact of current
education funding levels, stating that her school stands to lose
various programs and positions, including student councils,
advanced classes in world languages, music, art, CTE, middle
school musical theater, sports, and several staff members.
Greiner emphasized that these losses reflect just one Alaskan
school out of 500 and likened the situation to cutting branches
from a tree until it dies. She warned that without increased
funding, Alaska risks losing not only current students but also
future generations who wish to contribute to the state's
communities. Greiner concluded by urging the committee to
consider the importance of empathy and compromise, as
exemplified by the middle schoolers, when deciding on an
increase in the Base Student Allocation (BSA).
4:03:28 PM
PENNY VADLAR, Member, Kenai School Board, Kenai Peninsula
Borough School District, Soldotna, Alaska, testified in support
of increasing the BSA. She gave a brief history of her work in
education and said predictable, equitable, and reliable funding
is needed to maintain high quality education in Alaska. She
reflected on her years teaching when Alaska's schools flourished
but noted that, without adequate financial support, options have
diminished. Numerous positions, programs, and activities have
been cut due to lack of funding, including interventionists,
counselors, and other staff.
MS. VADLAR highlighted the strain on the Career and Technical
Education (CTE) program, which is now managed by one person
responsible for a wide range of duties that were once
distributed among several staff members. She also pointed out
the thinning of central office staff, leading to burnout and
overextension among those remaining. She stressed that this
overextension impacts students, teachers, administrators,
families, and communities.
MS. VADLAR emphasized that if there were adequate Base Student
Allocation (BSA) funding, schools could continue pursuing their
goals and strategic plans effectively. She urged support for a
$900 increase in BSA, agreeing with a previous speaker who
suggested an even higher amount, to ensure student success and
positive outcomes. She concluded by thanking the committee for
their advocacy and attention to education, particularly
appreciating the voices of students.
4:08:11 PM
KERRY MAHONEY, Member, Unalaska School Board, Unalaska, Alaska,
testified in support of increasing the BSA. She said she is in
her third year on the school board and has lived in Unalaska for
30 years. She asked that the BSA be raised to a minimum of
$1413. She emphasized the importance of an increase in the Base
Student Allocation (BSA) for improving teacher retention and
reducing burnout among staff. She described the challenges faced
by their school, including significant staff turnover and the
overwhelming demands placed on remaining staff members. As a
parent, she recounted an experience where the principal, who
also serves as the special education and testing coordinator,
was found in a scene of chaos doing lunchroom duty due to a lack
of substitute teachers. The principal's workload was so
extensive that she ultimately chose not to renew her contract,
highlighting the impact of burnout.
MS. MAHONEY stressed that an increase in BSA is crucial not only
for retaining staff but also for building trust and stability
within the school community. Additionally, she advocated for the
implementation of a defined benefit system to make Alaska's
schools more competitive with those in the lower 48 states,
encouraging staff to settle in and become integral parts of the
community.
4:10:47 PM
AMANDA SCHAMAHL, Member, Unalaska School Board, Unalaska,
Alaska, testified in support of increasing the BSA. She spoke
about the financial challenges faced by teachers and school
staff, particularly classified staff. She noted that a recent
compensation study conducted by the city council revealed that
city employees are grossly underpaid, and the results showed a
significant disparity between the current pay and what should be
paid. Amanda highlighted the large difference in compensation
between city employees and school employees, which makes it
difficult for schools to compete. She expressed concern that
qualified school employees might leave for better-paying city
jobs, stressing the importance of schools being competitive not
only with external opportunities but also with local businesses
within the community.
4:11:56 PM
BRIAN RANKIN, Member, Unalaska School Board, Unalaska, Alaska,
testified in support of school funding. As a newly elected
school board member and nearly lifelong Unalaska resident, he
shared his concerns about the impact of funding cuts on
educational programs in Alaska. He has lived in Alaska since
1975 and attended the state's school system from preschool
through graduation. He noted that both of his children have also
gone through the system. He highlighted the loss of the local
Native language teacher due to funding cuts, a vital cultural
program that was eventually reinstated but lost again because
the school could no longer afford to maintain it. He also
mentioned that his daughter, who is passionate about art, lost
access to the art program before her junior year due to similar
financial constraints. He emphasized that these programs, though
sometimes seen as non-essential, are critical to students'
quality of life and mental health. He urged for adequate funding
to ensure that students can enjoy a well-rounded education and
be happy and successful.
4:15:05 PM
JASMINE WOLFE, Student, Sitka School District, Sitka, Alaska,
testified in support of HB 65. She shared her personal
experience from the past fall, where in just four months, ten
individuals confided in her about having suicidal thoughts, and
she tragically lost a dear friend around a year ago due to
mental health struggles. She explained that her education and
awareness of mental health issues enabled her to recognize the
signs and direct these individuals to seek help from adults.
However, when she brought these concerns to school staff,
including two teachers, the vice principal, and a school
counselor, the situation was not taken seriously, and
appropriate actions were not taken. As a result, she later found
herself comforting a friend in crisis. She stressed that
adequate training for school faculty is crucial and can be the
difference between life and death.
4:16:44 PM
AUBREY LARUE, Student, Sitka School District, Sitka, Alaska,
Testified in support of HB 65. She shared her struggles with
mental health issues, which began during her freshman year of
high school after the loss of people close to her. She
emphasized the importance of not bottling up emotions,
recounting an instance where she shouted at her grandfather. She
said she is currently enrolled in Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)
training at the University of Alaska, motivated by a desire to
help others, particularly due to the shortage of nursing staff
in hospitals. She also discussed the challenges of balancing her
responsibilities at home, where she cares for her grandfather,
with her schoolwork and CNA training. She expressed concern
about the lack of mental health resources in schools, noting
that while her school has one counselor for four to five
students, other schools in Alaska lack adequate support. She
stressed that increasing mental health resources in schools
could lead to lower dropout rates and fewer suicides, addressing
Alaska's high suicide rates.
4:20:15 PM
KYLIE ORLANDO, Student, Sitka School District, Sitka, Alaska,
testified in support of SB 24. She highlighted the need for
better education of school staff on student mental health,
citing stories from her district that show current programs are
outdated and ineffective. She mentioned that some teachers
merely click through training and feel unprepared to support
students, leading to missed opportunities to help. Kylie
stressed that students shouldn't have to carry the burden of
supporting their peers and that properly trained staff could
make a significant difference. She expressed support for Senate
Bill 24 and urged the state to fulfill its obligation to fund
schools adequately, emphasizing that protecting students is the
top priority.
4:22:21 PM
EDWARD RICHARDS, Student, Sitka School District, Sitka, Alaska,
testified in support of increasing the BSA. He emphasized that
Alaska's schools have been flat-funded since 2017 and improperly
funded since 2012, with no adjustments for inflation. He
described how this lack of funding has led to suffering among
students and staff. He shared a personal story from last August,
when he nearly lost a close friend who had no access to mental
health support at school. He stressed that this experience is
not uncommon among students and urged for proper funding of
schools, emphasizing that it's not just about money but about
saving student lives.
4:23:44 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON thanked students for their testimony on SB
24 and said she is committed to working diligently to get the
bill passed in both the Senate and House.
4:24:53 PM
NEAL STANFORD, Student, Sleetmute School, Kuspuk School
District, Aniak, Alaska, testified in support of increasing the
BSA. He stated he is advocating for funding for Sleetmute.
4:25:25 PM
KAYLA, NLN, Student, Sleetmute School, Kuspuk School District,
Aniak, Alaska, testified in support of Sleetmute.
4:25:41 PM
KILEY HAYDEN, Student, Sleetmute School, Kuspuk School District,
Aniak, Alaska, testified in support of increasing the BSA. She
highlighted the critical need for assistance in Alaska's
schools, particularly in small, rural areas. She explained that
many schools in remote locations cannot access additional
funding through taxes or bonds. She described her school's
ongoing struggle with severe structural issues, initially
starting with a leaky roof that has gone unrepaired for over 15
years despite being on the state's major maintenance list.
Recent engineering reports revealed that the problem has
worsened to the point where sections of the school, including
the boys' bathroom, shop, gymnasium, and a mechanical room, are
now condemned due to imminent risk of structural failure. She
emphasized that her school district lacks the resources to
address these issues independently without diverting funds from
essential educational services, which would harm already
underserved students. She urged the state to provide the
necessary funding to repair the school and secure the
educational future of the students.
4:27:52 PM
ELSIE SIMON, Member, Kuspuk School Board, Aniak, Alaska,
testified in support of an increase to the BSA. She emphasized
that Sleetmute is just one of the many schools in dire need of
maintenance and upgrades within their district, where most
schools are 40 to 50 years old. She advocated for more funding,
Capital Improvement Project (CIP) requests, and additional
teachers, noting that they are very short-staffed, a common
issue across rural school districts. She clarified that, as a
rural district, they lack a tax base and therefore rely on state
support. She thanked the committee for the opportunity to speak
and expressed hope that they would receive funding this year.
4:29:27 PM
At ease
4:32:07 PM
CHAIR TOBIN reconvened the meeting and invited Yukon Flats
School District to testify.
4:32:22 PM
LAUREY THOMAS, President, Yukon Flats School Board, Fort Yukon,
Alaska, testified in support of increasing the BSA. She
highlighted the severe challenges faced by their district due to
its remote location, where everything must be flown in, making
costs extremely high. She noted that their small district serves
fewer than 200 students, and one school is on the brink of
closure due to declining enrollment.
MS. THOMAS stressed the urgent need for increased funding and a
higher Base Student Allocation (BSA), particularly given the
exorbitant costs of fuel$8.30 per gallon for gasoline and $6.65
per gallon for heating fuel. She also shared that the district
lost three certified teachers after Christmas due to medical
issues, leaving them without an English teacher, social studies
teacher, and guidance counselor. The community has faced
additional hardships, including a salmon disaster on the Yukon
River, severe flooding that displaced students, and extreme
weather that reached 60 below zero. These conditions have led to
tragic losses, including the deaths of community members and a
board member, putting immense stress on the students.
MS. THOMAS emphasized that the students are still grieving and
currently have limited educational opportunities, with only
basic reading, writing, and math courses available. She
mentioned that while a CTE grant is helping to improve reading
scores, the district is struggling to retain classified staff
due to inadequate pay. She urged for increased support and
funding to address these critical issues.
4:36:03 PM
MARLIN JIMMY, Member, Yukon Flats School Board, Fort Yukon,
Alaska, testified in support of increasing the BSA. He expressed
concerns over the lack of funds, which has forced the school to
let go of paraprofessionals, essential for classroom
organization and engagement. This has increased the burden on
teachers, including his wife, and despite his volunteer efforts,
they continue losing staff to better-paying local jobs. He
highlighted the urgent need for funding, noting that the Fort
Yukon school is now down to one teacher's aide after receiving
resignation letters from the last two remaining
paraprofessionals. Jimmy stressed that adequate funding is
crucial to address these challenges.
4:38:12 PM
LON GARRISON, Executive Director, Association of Alaska School
Boards, Juneau, Alaska, testified in support of increasing the
BSA. He stated he began his school board career in 2007 in Sitka
and started legislative advocacy with Dr. Tom Connolly, a
pediatrician and experienced school board member in both Alaska
and Wyoming, who served as his mentor. Lon mentioned that
despite early progress with education funding, including a brief
period of forward funding that brought stability, the state has
since struggled to prioritize education, often treating it as
secondary to other programs and the Permanent Fund Dividend. He
noted that the day's testimony is more than compelling, and how
emotional it is facing education budget short falls. He
expressed hope that with the committee's support and Senate
coalition, a path can be found to secure necessary funding and
emphasized the urgency of the administration recognizing the
risks of underfunding education. Lon thanked the committee and
senators for their ongoing support and participation in recent
events, expressing his appreciation for their efforts to advance
education funding.
4:43:21 PM
SENATOR STEVENS expressed his pleasure in being part of a caucus
that has supported two major issues: the Base Student Allocation
(BSA) increase and pension changes. He noted that both bills
have passed the Senate and are now in the House, emphasizing
that while the caucus has done its best, further collaboration
is needed with other legislators and the governor to advance
these issues. He said he was deeply moved by comments on suicide
in Alaska, acknowledging it as a significant issue that requires
urgent attention.
4:44:09 PM
SENATOR BJORKMAN thanked everyone who provided testimony, with
special appreciation for the group from Nome who, despite not
being able to attend, provided a clear example of how Base
Student Allocation (BSA) funds would directly benefit their
school district. He highlighted the importance of the specific
breakdown they provided, making it clear what those investments
would achieve. He also addressed the testimonies from Sitka
students, noting that their comments were a strong critique of
their teachers. He urged students to give their teachers a
chance to help, emphasizing that many teachers across the state
are receiving training in Youth Mental Health First Aid.
However, he noted that no training can be effective if students
do not show signs of needing help or ask for assistance.
SENATOR BJORKMAN underscored that more funding in the BSA would
lead to smaller class sizes, allowing teachers to develop
meaningful relationships with their students, which is crucial
for effective learning environments. He concluded by emphasizing
that investing in the BSA enables schools to hire more
educators, resulting in better educational outcomes through more
in-depth and personalized teaching.
4:48:33 PM
CHAIR TOBIN shared that she graduated from Nome Public School,
where the Base Student Allocation (BSA) in today's dollars was
$6,775. She recalled having access to guidance counselors,
mental health counselors, and Advanced Placement (AP) classes,
with her largest class having only eight students. Tobin
mentioned participating in chess club, drama, and sports at no
cost, and emphasized the impact of having teachers who invested
in her. She acknowledged that everyone in the room is working to
ensure that Alaska's teachers can continue to invest in the
future of the state's students.
4:49:37 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Tobin adjourned the Senate Education Standing Committee
meeting at 4:49 p.m.
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