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Legislative House Candidate Questionnaire
Campaign 2006
Candidate: Aaron Isaacs, Jr. House District: 5
Candidate responses exceeding 30 words have been truncated.
ADEQUATE FUNDING
1. Presently three methods are recognized by experts and the courts as reliable means to determine adequate funding: resource cost, best schools, and professional judgment. Do you support the use of a recognized, research based study to determine the adequate funding level of K-12 schools?
Yes
Explain:
Only through the use of recognized research based information can adequate funding for education be determined.
If you support an adequate funding study, how would you accomplish this?
Fully implement the area cost difference study.
2. Do you support the use of area cost differential factors to provide equity in school funding?
Yes
Rationale
See the reason stated above.
3. The recent changes in funding for pupil transportation have had negative impacts in a number of school districts. How would you address this issue?
Reinstate the state program that funded student transportation.
4. Will you commit to working with NEA-Alaska and other groups in developing a long-range plan to supplement current funding levels and achieve adequate funding for schools within a decade?
Yes
Rationale
I would support working on a long range fiscal plan for the state of Alaska that includes adequate funding for education.
5. Would you support adequate funding of Alaska’s public schools to meet the constitutional mandate prior to funding of any other programs not constitutionally mandated?
Yes
Rationale
LONG-RANGE FINANCIAL PLAN
The 23rd and 24th Legislatures identified several revenue sources for consideration: alcohol tax, cruise ship tax, fuel tax, income tax, sales tax, and use of the Permanent Fund earnings.
Please list, in priority order, the sources you would utilize to create a long-range fiscal plan.
alcohol tax, cruise ship tax, fuel tax, income tax, sales tax, and use of the Permanent Fund earnings.
PERS/TRS
1. What percentage of their salary at retirement do you believe public employee retirees should have to retire with dignity?
66%-75%
2. Given that most public school employees will not be able to collect Social Security benefits due to the federal law (GPO/WEP), the employees’ retirement income must come from their pension plan and personal income. Do you believe a defined contribution plan with a 15% of salary contribution will generate a pension that will provide a retirement with dignity?
No
If not, what do you propose to do to provide public employees access to a pension plan that provides a retirement with dignity?
Go back to the Defined Benefit Plan.
3. Would you support returning to a defined benefits retirement plan as a means of attracting and retaining quality educators?
Yes
Rationale
Alaska has one of the best teacher retirement programs in the
4. According to recent actuarial reports, PERS and TRS have unfunded liabilities. How do you see the state eliminating these unfunded liabilities to meet their financial obligations to retirees?
Use some of the state reserves to pay down the unfunded liabilities.
5. Will you commit to consulting with NEA-Alaska and other employee organizations whose members are participants in TRS and PERS when changes to the retirement plans are being considered?
Yes
Rationale
I believe it is essential that all of the major stakeholders are at the table for any major decisions.
ATTRACTING & RETAINING QUALITY EDUCATORS
The #1 factor in student achievement is a quality teacher supported by quality administrators and support staff. It is well known that Alaska is facing a teacher shortage. The legislature held several hearings on the matter, but has done little to address the issue.
1. What do you believe are the three essential factors in recruiting and retaining quality teachers?
1)Provide a pension plan that allows for retirement with dignity.
2)Provide Alaska professionals with an adequate salary and benefits.
3)Provide for adequate long term financial support for educators.
4)Provide adequate …
2. As a legislator, what will you do to address these factors?
Assure that education is a top priority and that programs that support education are funded, not just for one year, but for years to come.
3. Fiscal uncertainty has caused many “new to the profession” educators to leave Alaskan school districts and even leave the state. According to Commissioner Roger Sampson, the out-of-pocket cost to a school district of losing a teacher is $12,000. What would you do to eliminate this annual turnover that has cost our state so many valuable educators?
Assisting school districts with the necessary resources to fund an in-depth orientation to Alaska and its diverse cultures. Continue the state mentoring program.
4. Would you work to amend state statute to make sure that district claims of financial shortfalls are verified by independent third parties when dealing with the layoff of tenured teachers?
Yes
Rationale
CLASS SIZE
An important factor in student achievement is small class size. Bills were introduced in the legislature, but little has been done to address the issue. Would you support a bill that sets recommended class size by grade level and provides for additional funds to schools that meet the standards.
No
Rationale
I would suggest that small class sizes are desirable and increased funding for education would allow this to happen, however, by providing additional funds for those districts that already meet
If yes, would you introduce such a bill and seek co-sponsors?
Rationale
SAFE SCHOOLS
1. Students and staff must feel safe and secure in our schools for learning to take place.
Would you support funding for programs/staff that have been demonstrated to increase student and
staff safety?
Yes
Rationale
A safe and secure school is essential for learning and it is the responsibility of the legislature to make certain that districts can provide for a safe environment.
2. A safe learning environment is a key factor in student achievement. Would you support the use of restraining orders for individuals who threaten or endanger students or public school employees in the public school environment?
Yes
3. Would you support legislation to make a school-related assault on an education employee an aggravating factor in sentencing?
Yes
HIGH STAKES TESTING
1. For the past three years, some students did not receive diplomas for the sole reason they did not pass the High School Graduation Qualifying Examination (HSGQE.) Would you support amending the law to allow schools to assess student knowledge and abilities through a variety of means and not just through a single test?
Yes
2. Would you support categorical funding for district-developed remedial programs for students who do not meet standards on Alaska’s benchmark exams?
Yes
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT
What additional ideas do you have to improve K-12 education in Alaska?
Teach students the value of a good work ethic. Teach them leadership skills. Teach them proper public speaking. Me, as an Alaska Native, teach them to be proud of their …
