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Legislative House Candidate Questionnaire
Campaign 2006
Candidate: David Guttenberg 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:
We need the best possible information to determine the needs of our education system. A regularly – updated study involving teachers, administrators, and parents would help the legislative budget process.
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
We should always strive to understand each district and each school’s unique needs and respond specifically to those needs, using every tool available including area cost differentials.
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?
Transportation funding should be separate from classroom appropriations. Students shouldn’t suffer for geographic situations or historical circumstances.
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’ll continue to work with NEA-Alaska and other interested groups. It makes good sense to seek the wisdom of those most passionately dedicated to our kids.
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
I can think of no higher purpose for state funds than preparing Alaska’s kids for promising, productive lives.
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.
Oil and gas tax; cruise ship tax; alcohol tax
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?
A defined benefit package is critical to employees’ ability to plan for their retirements and should be replaced by a defined contribution program. Adequate state funding of a fair pension …
3. Would you support returning to a defined benefits retirement plan as a means of attracting and retaining quality educators?
Yes
Rationale
To attract and retain the best educators, Alaska must offer competitive salaries and benefits, including health care coverage and retirement programs.
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?
First, don’t panic. Regular, steady appropriations applied against the unfunded liability will cure the problem over time. Recent ski-is-falling declarations are inaccurate, unnecessary and counterproductive.
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
Absolutely. Anything less is rude and unfair.
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?
Salary/benefits/retirement packages commensurate with the level of education and dedication we demand of our teachers, and staff; properly supplied and functional school buildings; long-term legislative and administrative support for both.
2. As a legislator, what will you do to address these factors?
As I have done throughout my legislative career, I will continue to remind my colleagues through the budget process of the vital importance of education to Alaska’s future, and use …
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?
Establish fiscal certainty through a long term plan that includes an education trust on endowment to fund education.
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
Laying off tenured teachers for fiscal reasons demands the most accurate assessment possible first.
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.
Yes
Rationale
We should do everything possible to encourage appropriate class size and reward those districts that find innovative and effective ways to reduce class size.
If yes, would you introduce such a bill and seek co-sponsors?
Yes
Rationale
I would seek the assistance of NEA-Alaska and others in drafting a bill and attracting cosponsors.
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
Whenever a school district hits a winning combination for school safety or any other aspect of a healthy education environment, the state should facilitate the distribution of those methods across …
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?
