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Legislative House Candidate Questionnaire
Campaign 2006
Candidate: Darrel B. Behymer House District: 19
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 study will show where the gaps are between what is
currently being funded, and how much is needed to be adequately funded.
If you
support an adequate funding study, how would you accomplish this?
I will work on a budget that would include and support
this study.
2. Do you support the use of area cost
differential factors to provide equity in school funding?
Yes
Rationale
Each school is unique in how it is funded, and
supporting the use of area cost differential factors would provide equity in
school funding.
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 would oppose any cuts to pupil transportation and
support restoring the funds.
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
It is critical for our future success that we reach
adequate funding for schools within a decade.
5. Would you support adequate funding of
Yes
Rationale
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.
1) sales tax 2) alcohol tax 3)
cruise ship tax 4) fuel tax 5) income tax 6) use of the Permanent Fund earnings
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?
Yes
If not,
what do you propose to do to provide public employees access to a pension plan
that provides a retirement with dignity?
3. Would you support returning to a defined
benefits retirement plan as a means of attracting and retaining quality
educators?
Yes
Rationale
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 see that the state procure the services of an
independent actuary to address the issue of eliminating unfunded liabilities.
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
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
1. What do you believe are the three essential
factors in recruiting and retaining quality teachers?
Job security, progressive salary and fair management.
2. As a legislator, what will you do to address
these factors?
I will advocate increase funds for schools. teachers
salaries and teacher training.
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 will push for
dead lines to be set that would clear up any fiscal uncertainty to eliminate
this turnover of losing teachers.
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.
Yes
Rationale
Smaller class size works for students, because it
gives the teacher more time to work with each student.
If yes,
would you introduce such a bill and seek co-sponsors?
Yes
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
Students must be able to learn and teachers to teach
in a safe work environment.
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
Yes
2. Would you support categorical funding for
district-developed remedial programs for students who do not meet standards on
Yes
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT
What additional
ideas do you have to improve K-12 education in
