CSHB 99(HES)-SCHOOL DISCIPLINE AND SAFETY PROGRAMS  REPRESENTATIVE LESIL MCGUIRE, sponsor of HB 99, informed the committee that CSHB 99(HES) was unanimously supported by the House. She explained that CSHB 99(HES) is simple: it asks school districts to put policies in place to address non-violent means of resolving conflicts. The problem of school violence is nationwide. Alaska schools have experienced a shooting, stabbings, baseball bat fights and other violent acts. These acts are not only occurring in urban areas. She has done extensive research on non-violent resolution policies in schools and there is no question that they make a difference. HB 99 has the support of school districts, NEA-Ak, and the Division of Juvenile Justice. She noted that Debbie Ossiander, a member of the Anchorage school board, has testified in the past in support of CSHB 99(HES). An incidental benefit of CSHB 99(HES) will be to help districts that want to develop full-fledge conflict resolution programs to receive grant funding. She believes the state should be one of many partners needed to help eradicate school violence. MR. BUTTCANE, Division of Juvenile Justice, DHSS, stated support for CSHB 99(HES). He pointed out that in the course of an ordinary year, the division receives between 800 and 1,000 misdemeanor assault referrals statewide. Most of those referrals are related to interpersonal conflicts between students at our schools. The division believes that conflict resolution is a preventative option that can be implemented to reduce the number of assaults and conflicts between students. The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention has developed such a program and in its guide states that the tenets of conflict resolution present a new model of interacting with and thinking about other people, one that challenges us to go beyond stereotypes, to consider the other's point of view, and to reach mutually satisfactory agreements in which all parties win. The results of this approach for society could be profound. The division supports the sponsor's effort to implement this as a next step in a direction that will create a better society. VICE-CHAIR LEMAN asked if any of the five large high schools in Anchorage have a greater amount of conflict than the others. MR. BUTTCANE said in his experience, cycles occur in high schools in which one school may have high levels of conflict one year, which subsides after staff implement various programs. Some schools do not seem to have those problems. He pointed out the Chugiak High School has implemented a conflict resolution program that is showing tremendous success. East High School had a number of conflicts a few years ago but staff found new ways to teach students to resolve conflicts without using physical violence. The Division of Juvenile Justice is working with both middle and high schools around the state but not every school has the interest or resources to participate. VICE-CHAIR LEMAN said he asked because the legislature is looking at putting some resources into pilot programs. SENATOR DAVIS said most high schools in Anchorage have some form of conflict resolution program in place and those programs are now being established in middle schools. Wendler Middle School is taking the lead. MR. VERN MARSHALL, NEA-Ak, expressed appreciation to the sponsor for introducing HB 99. He noted that prior to 1996, NEA-Ak was primarily concerned about classroom discipline. It has now absorbed a new program and budget concept to deal with the issue of making schools safer. NEA-Ak has trained staff and developed programs designed to work with teachers and support staff to address the issue of making the school environment safe and functional. NEA-Ak realized that the incident in Bethel was a critical issue and it was the first entity to provide crisis counseling. TAPE 01-36, SIDE A MR. MARSHALL pointed out that it is costly to shut schools down because of bomb threats that must be taken seriously. We can either pay later or incorporate programs to deal with non-violent resolution of problems. NEA-Ak supports CSHB 99(HES) and urges its passage. With no further discussion or questions, SENATOR DAVIS moved CSHB 99(HES) from committee with individual recommendations and its accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, the motion carried.