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 13, 2007

--AASB BOARDSMANSHIP ACADEMY & FLY IN SET FOR APRIL 21-24

--EDUCATIONAL FUNDING MAY ARRIVE EARLIER

--BUSH: NCLB NOT MEANT TO PUNISH SCHOOLS, BUT TO HELP THEM

--EDUCATION BILLS SCHEDULED FOR HEARINGS NEXT WEEK

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AASB BOARDSMANSHIP ACADEMY & FLY IN SET FOR APRIL 21-24

With the Legislature approaching the 90-day mark in session, interest is building in the Spring Boardsmanship Academy and Legislative Fly-in, scheduled for April 21-24 at Juneau’s Baranof Hotel. On Saturday, the 21^st, school board members will be briefed on a variety of special education issues, including students identified as having intensive needs. Darrell Sanborn, superintendent of the Unalaska City School District, and Eddy Jeans of the Department of Education & Early Development will lead the discussion, followed by presentations on the advancement of digital learning in Alaska Schools.

The next three days, from Sunday through Tuesday, will be devoted to key education issues before the 25^th Alaska Legislature. Guest speakers from both sides of the aisle in the House and Senate will speak. If you plan to attend and have not contacted members of your legislative delegation for an appointment on Monday or Tuesday, please do so. For a more detailed schedule of the Boardsmanship Academy and Legislative Fly-in, click here:

http://www.aasb.org/Calendar/sprflyin.html

EDUCATIONAL FUNDING MAY ARRIVE EARLIER

Leaders of the Alaska House and Senate said Wednesday that they have agreed on a plan to forward-fund public education using $1 billion in surplus state revenues. The cash deposit from the general fund would be part of the fiscal year 2009 state operating budget, which begins in July 2008. See full story here:

http://www.adn.com/news/education/story/8786844p-8688259c.html

BUSH: NCLB NOT MEANT TO PUNISH SCHOOLS, BUT TO HELP THEM

President Bush, acknowledging public frustration over his No Child Left Behind Act, said Thursday the point of the law is not to punish schools that fall short, but to help them. Bush suggested the White House and its allies must do a better job of explaining the goal of holding schools accountable. See full story here:

http://www.cnn.com/2007/EDUCATION/04/12/bush.education.ap/index.html

EDUCATION BILLS UP FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS NEXT WEEK

Wednesday, April 18, Senate Special Committee on Education

8:00 a.m. SB 14 Raise Compulsory School Attendance Age

Wednesday, April 18, Senate Finance Committee

9:00 a.m. &

1:00 p.m. SB 53 Capital, Supplemental and Other Appropriations

(Administration testimony only)

Thursday, April 19, Senate Finance Committee

9:00 a.m. SB 53 Capital, Supplemental and Other Appropriations

(Administration testimony continued)

Thursday, April 19, House Finance Committee

1:30 p.m. SB 123 Public Emp./Teachers/Judges Employee Benefits

Thursday, April 19, House Health, Education & Social Services Committee

3:30 p.m. HCR 6 Civics Education Citizens Task Force

Friday, April 20, Senate Special Committee on Education

8:00 a.m. SCR 5 Civics Education Citizens Task Force

Friday, April 20, House Judiciary Committee

1:00 p.m. HB 181 Traffic Offenses: Fines/School Zones

Friday, April 20, House Finance Committee

1:30 p.m. HB 13 Retirement System Liability/Bonds/Corp.