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 27, 2007

--AASB FLY-IN WELL-TIMED, WELL-ATTENDED

--EDUCATION LAW NEEDS CHANGE, SENATOR SAYS

--PALIN SUPPORTS MUNICIPAL REVENUE SHARING

--POLL FINDS ALASKANS LIKE LEADERS

--EDUCATION BILLS SCHEDULED FOR HEARINGS NEXT WEEK

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AASB FLY-IN WELL-TIMED, WELL-ATTENDED

The broad outline of major changes to Alaska’s K-12 education financing laws emerged this week as the member districts of AASB gathered to lobby lawmakers. At least four changes to the foundation funding program are being debated by House and Senate leaders. In addition, bills providing $450 million in retirement cost relief to public employers, including school districts, and $1 billion in funding for K-12 education in FY 2009 moved closer to becoming law.

The basic elements of the education package became generally known as 80 school board members from around the state gathered for the Spring Leadership Academy and Legislative Fly-in, April 21-24. Legislative leaders and a representative of Gov. Sarah Palin told local education officials that they were developing revisions to the base student allocation, the district cost factor, the 4-mill requirement for local contributions to education, and funding for intensive needs students. Details of the changes remain subject to private discussions between the House, Senate and Governor’s Office.

AASB will keep member districts up to date on the changes as they emerge before adjournment of the 2007 session on or before May 16.

EDUCATION LAW NEEDS CHANGE, SENATOR SAYS

Sen. Lisa Murkowski says the federal No Child Left Behind Act is well-intended but must change so public schools in Alaska and Outside have more flexibility to meet the law’s rigid demands. On Thursday, Murkowski introduce legislation called the School Accountability Improvements Act. See full story and interview here:

http://www.adn.com/news/education/story/8831068p-8731715c.html

See Senator Murkowski’s news release on the legislation here:

http://murkowski.senate.gov/pressapp/record.cfm?id=273148

PALIN SUPPORTS MUNCIPAL REVENUE SHARING

Gov. Sarah Palin teamed up with mayors from around the state this week to renew her push for sharing state revenues directly with communities. “I will fight hard for municipal revenue sharing to stay in the budget,” she said. See full story here:

http://newsminer.com/2007/04/25/664

POLL FINDS ALASKANS LIKE LEADERS

While Gov. Sarah Palin is enjoying possibly the highest approval rating for a public official in state history, a new poll shows Alaskans are feeling pretty warm toward their government in general. Pollster Dave Dittman said he does not remember a time when both the governor and the Legislature were viewed so positively by the public. See full story here:

http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=6422411

EDUCATION BILLS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS NEXT WEEK

Monday, April 30, 1:30 p.m. Senate Health, Education & Social Services

HB 2 Vocational Education Account

Friday, May 4 8:30 a.m. House Finance Committee

HCR 6 Civics Education/Citizens Task Force

(NOTE: The Legislature has entered the period of time in its session when it is required to give only 24-hours notice, not five-days notice, before scheduling bills for public hearings. AASB will send more frequent notices of education bills up for public hearing as needed).