Peggy's Corner of the House

Hello and welcome to Peggy’s Corner of the House.

This week I’d like to review a few of the many education bills that are making their way through the Legislature. In the House Education Committee we are continuing an in-depth review of the Governor’s omnibus education bill HB 278. Last week there was attention given to the three sections that included increasing the stipend for boarding school students, repealing the high school exit exam, and technical-vocational educational programs. This week we focused on the education tax credit section.

This bill has many pieces wrapped up in one package. In addition to the omnibus bill, there are over 60 independent bills making their way through committees that address many of the same items that are in the Governors bill. These other bills cover some 30 different educational topics!

HB 220 will repeal the high school qualifying exit exam – we have heard from educators, administrators, students, employers and the Department of Education that it is time to retire this requirement. An amendment to this bill has been introduced that would shorten the timeframe to transition out of the exam which would make the cost to the state much lower.

HB 210 relates to the administration of psychiatric medication to students, crisis mediation training for school personnel and tighter regulation on restraints, escort, and seclusion of students in schools. There has been compelling testimony that pulls at our heart strings. This bill is another one that deserves caution as it seems like many of the school districts already have these types of safety plans in place and I hesitate for the Legislature to burden the local districts with more administrative procedures or unfunded mandates. HJR1 will put the question before the voters to amend our constitution. This amendment opens the door to use state funds to pay for not only public, but also private and religious educational institutions. There are many aspects to this idea that I believe could have a devastating effect on schools, especially rural schools. I believe it is something that needs intense review in the Legislature prior to going out to vote to remove the sentence in our Constitution that currently strictly prohibits it.

HB190 allows high school students to challenge and test out of academic courses while still receiving credit that would be counted toward the Alaska Performance Scholarship. There are options similar to this for students that are involved in vocational coursework and advance placement classes but nothing that addresses traditional classes.

HB 150 is a renewal of a funding mechanism for technical vocational educational programs. I have been working with Southern Southeast Alaska Technical Educational Center in Ketchikan and many legislators to permanently include SSEATEC in the funding formula. The key to economic development in our state is training Alaskan workers to fill the jobs; we cannot have one without the other.

HB 142 removes the sunset provision for stipends to boarding schools. This reimburses approved boarding schools for the costs incurred by the district for operating the program. A per-pupil stipend helps pay for the students’ monthly residential care, including meals and supervision. It also pays for one round-trip between the student’s home community and the school during the school year.

This is a synopsis of just a few of the education-related bills that are moving through the legislative process. Please don’t forget that the deadline to file permanent fund applications is March 31st and a great way to give to one of your favorite non-profit organizations is the Pick. Click. Give option.

That’s all for now from Peggy’s Corner of the House.