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Legislative House Candidate Questionnaire
Campaign 2006
Candidate: Dave Watts House District: 7
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:
The funding levels must consider the amount of money available in the budget for education and the needs of other portions of the educational system.
If you support an adequate funding study, how would you accomplish this?
2. Do you support the use of area cost differential factors to provide equity in school funding?
Yes
Rationale
Costs vary significantly in different parts of our state.
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?
It should be addressed as part of the budget process.
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?
No Response
Rationale
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?
No
Rationale
There are many programs vital to Alaska that are not mandated by the Constitution. All State funded activities must compete for the available funds.
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.
I would not favor the creation of additional taxes or use of the Permanent Fund as new revenue sources.
PERS/TRS
1. What percentage of their salary at retirement do you believe public employee retirees should have to retire with dignity?
51%-65%
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?
We need to revisit PRES/TRS with a goal of returning to a defined contribution plan.
3. Would you support returning to a defined benefits retirement plan as a means of attracting and retaining quality educators?
Yes
Rationale
Defined contribution plans are appropriate supplements to a defined benefit plan. They are not adequate replacements.
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?
Whether or not PERS/TRS have unfunded liabilities will require an impartial actuarial analysis. After review we can begin designing a plan based on available resources.
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
The employee organizations are the legitimate representatives of plan participants.
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?
Pay, benefits, and working conditions
2. As a legislator, what will you do to address these factors?
They must be addressed as part of the budget process.
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?
First would be an outplacement survey to find why they are leaving. Given that data we could begin searching for solutions.
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?
No Response
Rationale
I am not aware of the issues involved.
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 Response
Rationale
Class size is not the only factor in student achievement. The local school districts should determine appropriate class size.
If yes, would you introduce such a bill and seek co-sponsors?
No
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?
No Response
Rationale
Not familiar with the issues involved.
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?
No Response
3. Would you support legislation to make a school-related assault on an education employee an
aggravating factor in sentencing?
No Response
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?
No Response
2. Would you support categorical funding for district-developed remedial programs for students who do not meet standards on Alaska’s benchmark exams?
No Response
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT
What additional ideas do you have to improve K-12 education in Alaska?
