SENATE BILL NO. 105 "An Act determining the facilities constituting a school for purposes of public school funding; and providing for an effective date." CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 105(HES) "An Act determining the facilities constituting a school for purposes of public school funding; and providing for an effective date." MEL KROGSENG, staff to Senator Robin Taylor was invited to join the committee. JOHN KIMMELL, staff to Senator Robin Taylor was invited to join the committee and gave a brief commentary on the sponsor statement. He apologized for the Senator not being present saying he was in Washington D.C. In response to a question by Senator Phillips, Ms. Krogseng said the bill would affect only Petersburg and Wrangell schools. Senator Parnell asked about fiscal notes but Co-chair Torgerson cautioned that perhaps the committee should hear from the department. Ms. Krongseng responded regarding the fiscal note. Petersburg will be in trouble if the bill does not pass and the Wrangell school was in trouble last year. She noted that the fiscal note from Department of Education dated 4/22/99 was the correct one. Senator Wilken asked if the schools were single site schools. Co-chair Torgerson advised that they were. EDDY JEANS, School Finance Manager, Department of Education was invited to join the committee. He explained the fiscal note attached to the HES version of the bill. He advised the committee that the department opposed the bill. There were problems as far as the department was concerned last year with SB 36. There are districts affected by this situation. Another school would be Dillingham. Co-chair Torgerson query. Mr. Jeans reiterated that the department was opposed to the bill and anything to do with the foundation formula. He explained the adjustment per school size depending on student enrollment. Mr. Jeans said he would get actual dollar amount back to the committee, in response to a request from Co-chair Torgerson. Senator Adams said he did not bring his amendments to this bill. He noted problems with SB 36. Co-chair Torgerson said he would always have time for any amendments from Senator Adams. Senator Kelly asked if there was any specific statistics regarding Dillingham school and Wrangell school. Mr. Jeans explained as best he could but indicated he would provide further information to the committee. Senator Phillips asked about the three-school situation in Wrangell. Mr. Jeans responded that it would have depended on the population at the time the schools were built. BOB ZORICH, testified via teleconference from Petersburg. MARY FRANCIS, Superintendent of Schools, testified via teleconference from Petersburg. She explained the projected enrollment for next year was about $350,000 difference between SB 36 and SB 105. SHARLA COON, testified via teleconference from Petersburg and said she supported the bill. KAREN SEVERSON, testified via teleconference from Petersburg and said she supported the bill. ELIZABETH BACOM, testified via teleconference from Petersburg and said she was concerned with cuts in educational funds. The cost of education is not appreciated until the student leaves the system. Education should remain a priority for Alaskans. She supported the bill. TRACEY REID, testified via teleconference from Petersburg and asked the committee to support and pass SB 105. WOODY WILSON, Superintendent of Schools, testified via teleconference from Wrangell. He explained the tragic situation in their community and urged the committee to pass the bill. PAUL ANDERSON, Mayor pro tem, City of Petersburg, was invited to join the committee. He said a commitment was made last year to consider SB 105 upon the passage of SB 36. He said the situation was the same in Wrangell. He explained cuts in the community due to deficit budget. Everything has been closed down in their community. "Let's get real and get our kids to the university." Co-chair Torgerson said he would set the bill aside pending receipt of information from the Department of Education. SB 29, SB 133 and possibly SB 128 would be taken up tomorrow morning. ADJOURNMENT Co-chair Torgerson adjourned the meeting at approximately 10:30 a.m. (Tape number 113, side B, log 255.) SFC-99 (1) 04/28/99