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Legislative House Candidate Questionnaire
Campaign 2006
Candidate: John Harris House District: 12
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:
Different studies have been done ISER, etc. A study that take into account all the different aspects of cost in different regions needs to be used.
If you support an adequate funding study, how would you accomplish this?
The legislature must work with the Department of Education , the school boards, the educators to develop a fair and effective study.
2. Do you support the use of area cost differential factors to provide equity in school funding?
Yes
Rationale
Yes the different areas of the state have dramatically different cost factors. There is no way that Petersburg has the same cost of doing business as Anchorage for instance.
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?
I believe the pupil trans law needs to be revisited. Needs to be funded more on route than per pupil.
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
Have been doing so for the last eight years. I believe I have been a very strong supporter of 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
Education is our number one priority.
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 believe that the state is going to need a three legged approach to a long range fiscal plan. Income, and sales tax and the prudent use of some of …
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 still believe a defined benefit plan should be revisited. A fix for the large $7 Billion dollars deficit must be addressed first.
3. Would you support returning to a defined benefits retirement plan as a means of attracting and retaining quality educators?
Yes
Rationale
After fixing the growing deficit problem.
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?
We have been working on this issue. Maybe some use of the windfall on oil taxes. Maybe some use of permanent fund earnings. May be some obligation bonding.
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
Have done so in the past.
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?
Better pay, better working conditions, better retirement and health benefits.
2. As a legislator, what will you do to address these factors?
Increase funding, re-look at PERS/TRS
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?
We must establish a solid fiscal system that addresses the ups and downs of the oil industry.
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.
Rationale
I believe smaller class size is very important and is achieved by more funding. I am concerned about one size fits all in many parts of Alaska, thus pitting one …
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
Every student and every teacher must be safe in their school.
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?
Better parental involvement with the schools. Greater discipline for abusive students. Greater protection for students, teachers and administrators.
