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Legislative House Candidate Questionnaire
Campaign 2006
Candidate: Mike Pearson 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:
Professional, well recognized, easily understood by everyone.
If you support an adequate funding study, how would you accomplish this?
More time for research needed.
2. Do you support the use of area cost differential factors to provide equity in school funding?
Yes
Rationale
All students deserve an excellent education no matter where they live. Buildings need to be safe and well maintained. Materials need to be current.
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 need to look into this issue further. It is a complex issue. Student safety can not be compromised
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
Absolutely!
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
Constitutionally mandated programs need top priority. While other programs may be important, we must fulfill our constitutional obligation.
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.
Not use the public employee/teacher retirement funds! The alcohol tax, cruise ship tax, and fuel tax are not a stable source of income to fund education. Let’s think out of …
PERS/TRS
1. What percentage of their salary at retirement do you believe public employee retirees should have to retire with dignity?
36% - 50%
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?
This is a complex issue. I need more time to research this subject. I do believe in a defined benefit plan, not 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
Alaska is quickly falling behind in wages. Now no retirement plan that guarantees a retirement with dignity. Why come here? Way stay? Educators can learn more with better benefits in …
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?
Money spent on “pet” programs by legislators needs to stop and be put back into the PERS/TRS fund. Legislators need to stop buying votes e.g. Rep. John Harris just gave …
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 important to discuss retirement plans and issues with professional organizations. They represent the people who are retiring.
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) Qualified, professional, knowledgeable administrators with curriculum knowledge
2) Salary and benefits packages
3) Safe work place and adequate supplies and materials that are current and up-to-date
2. As a legislator, what will you do to address these factors?
Work closely with professionals and professional organizations to properly fund education.
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?
see the answers to questions 1 & 2 above. Alaska must provide these and be competitive in salary and benefits packages.
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
Tenured teachers should not ever be laid off without positive proof of financial shortfalls. Let’s review the number of administrators reporting the shortfalls and make cuts in the central office.
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
The actual class size needs to be considered. Most school districts take the number of students and divide the number of (total teachers) teachers into the total student count. This …
If yes, would you introduce such a bill and seek co-sponsors?
Yes
Rationale
Smaller classroom sizes – student count; more individual attention for students. Example: 3rd grade, 32 students-one teacher; teacher give each student 1 minute of individual attention; over a half an hour
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
My wife’s classroom was on the second floor of the building with only one door for exiting. If that door was blocked there wouldn’t be anyway out of the classroom….
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?
Improved play grounds with a portion covered.
No more out sourcing of jobs.
Improve funding for extra activities.
Take advantage of free programs the organizations offer such as the Lions
