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Legislative House Candidate Questionnaire
Campaign 2006
Candidate: Jason Crawford House District: 8
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:
Absolutely. We need to invest in the future of Alaska by investing in future Alaskans and their education and intellectual/cognative development. Our children deserve the best facilities and teachers, and our ….
If you support an adequate funding study, how would you accomplish this?
I favor a study using the "best schools" or even "best classrooms" approach--find out what works and implement those same factors in other schools and classrooms around the state….
2. Do you support the use of area cost differential factors to provide equity in school funding?
Yes
Rationale
The educational experience should be similar for all students, whether they live in Angoon or Anchorage -- cost differentials are a step in that direction.
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?
A complex problem for which there are probably a number of potential solutions. I believe it will require some brainstorming and a "think outside the box" approach, for instance seeking ….
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
As mentioned previously, our children deserve the best education based on proven techniques and stat-of-the-art facilities--we need to step up to the plate ASAP!
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
While I agree wholeheartedly that schools need adequate funding, there are other critical programs which may not be constitutionally mandated but which are nonetheless equally important---to place one at .…
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.
While I generally oppose any new or increased taxes, instead choosing to focus on encouraging and developing growth in the tax base through resource development and business development and growth, …
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?
I believe there should be a generous employee-contribution matching provision for employers, and additional safeguards to protect invested contributions.
3. Would you support returning to a defined benefits retirement plan as a means of attracting and retaining quality educators?
Yes
Rationale
Providing a specific and fairly predictable pension can be very attractive to those teachers looking to working/teaching in Alaska. I would however adjust the compensation schedule to encourage longevity (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?
I would like to see the state use more the "windfall" tax revenue to begin funding PERS/TRS liabilities, with the goal of total funding within 8-12 years.
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
It is YOUR retirement plan and I would be YOUR Representative; this is every elected officials charge -- to listen to their constituents -- and they should honor it!
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?
We must increase demand through 1) increased teacher pay, and 2) increased funding for facilities and resources. Then we increase the supply of teachers through 3) expansion of the University's ....
2. As a legislator, what will you do to address these factors?
I would sponsor legislation to full fund an expansion of the Teacher Development Program, providing funding for additional scholarships and grants to the top high school graduates who continue to…
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?
I believe it is necessary to approve an advanced budget specifically for education funding to give some additional time between the end of the legislative session and the start of ….
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 support a bill that sets recommended class size, but I believe providing additional funds just because a class is smaller is not the most appropriate method of encouraging…
If yes, would you introduce such a bill and seek co-sponsors?
No Response
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
As long as the programs/staff do not impose overt restrictions on a parent's legitimate right to confront teachers and staff for inappropriate behavior toward their student, and open communication is …
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?
While the state is required to provide adequate public schools, ALL Alaskans in all communities to need to participate in providing for education funding. I would also like to foster …
