Association of Alaska School Boards

Legislative Bulletin

A weekly digest of activity by the Alaska Legislature and U.S. Congress for Alaska’s School Board Members. AASB Tel. 907-586-1083, Fax 907-586-2995. Executive Director, Carl Rose, crose@aasb.org; Editor, John Greely, Review past issues of the Bulletin on the AASB website at http://www.aasb.org. To unsubscribe send an email requesting the same to jgreely@aasb.org

This bulletin is distributed by email only. School districts should copy for board members not online.

April 11, 2008

AASB EXPRESSES APPRECIATION TO 25^TH ALASKA LEGISLATURE

During the AASB Spring Boardsmanship Academy and Legislative Fly-in, school board members from around the state agreed that one of their most important messages to the Alaska Legislature could be conveyed in one word: Thanks.

A statement delivered to many legislative offices read:

“The 25^th Alaska Legislature accomplished an historic change to the way we fund education in the state of Alaska and we need to thank the individuals that have helped schools across the state.

“Elected officials run on promises of helping education. This year, they have shown great integrity by following through with those promises and making Alaska’s youth - their health, safety, education and future - the top priority. The member districts of AASB want to thank them all for the amazing work and dedication they have shown.

“We know that the 2008 session was short, and we appreciate the fact that legislators kept the big picture of K-12 public education in their vision. We are grateful for their time and support. Specifically, we thank them for:

• Making education funding a priority and establishing forward funding for our schools, and doing it early in the session
• Revenue sharing
• PERS/TRS employer rate reduction
• Hold harmless funding

• School transportation funding”

CAPITAL BUDGET PROPOSES MILLIONS FOR EDUCATION

A massive capital budget (SB 221) taking shape in the final days of the 2008 legislative session includes $106.4 million for construction of new schools in four communities, plus $81.4 million for major maintenance projects at 21 other schools. The bill also includes $20.7 million for “energy relief” for school districts and $5 million to expand the Consortium for Digital Learning, AASB’s 1-to-1 laptop partnership with school districts. Dozens of smaller appropriations provide a wide range of repairs, furnishings, equipment and other improvements to K-12 schools in many communities.

The capital budget took shape last week in the Senate, then grew into a near final version last night (Thursday) in the House Finance Committee. It was scheduled for a vote late tonight or tomorrow in the full House. For a closer look at the 228-page bill, click here:

http://www.legfin.state.ak.us/bills/FinalMergedHouseFinance_Version_T.pdf

SCHOOL BOND DEBT REIMBURSEMENT BILL PASSES SENATE

A bill extending the school bond debt reimbursement program for another two years passed the Alaska Senate today (Friday). HB 373 sailed through on a unanimous vote of 20 to 0. The program provides up to 70 percent of the funding for school construction bonds approved by local voters. The reimbursements total $97 million during FY 2009. Here is the latest version of the bill:

http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill_text.asp?hsid=HB0373B&session=25

HB 373 was return to the House for concurrence in amendments.

STUDENT QUESTIONNAIRES AND SURVEYS

A bill loosening restrictions on school questionnaires and surveys of students is dying for lack of support in the Senate. HB 207, by Rep. Peggy Wilson, R-Wrangell, passed the House by a vote of 28 to 12 last week. It would allow school districts to conduct with passive parental permission anonymous youth risk behavior surveys. Those surveys now require active parental permission. The bill was referred to three committees by Senate President Lyda Green, effectively ending its chances of passing before adjournment of the regular session, scheduled by Sunday at midnight.