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Legislative Senate Candidate Questionnaire
Campaign 2006
Candidate: Macon Roberts Senate District: P
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:
There needs to be a standard to go by in order to show what is meant by "true adequate funding".
If you support an adequate funding study, how would you accomplish this?
I would request the Commissioner to hire an outside independent source and procure the funding to pay for it.
2. Do you support the use of area cost differential factors to provide equity in school funding?
Yes
Rationale
Different areas of the state require more funding to attract and maintain school staff, the high cost food,fuel,transportation, building material etc.
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 address and adjust for it according to differential operational cost.
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 would like to see an educational endowment established for long range, predictable and permanent planning. I would advocate adding to it without withdrawels for the first five years.
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
Adequate funding for the entire program is important. Not funding the mandated programs could cost the districts more money. This makes prior funding necessary.
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.
Educational Endowment, cruise ship tax, alcohol tax, fuel tax, school 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?
I propose allowing employees an option to return to the social security witholding system. I also advocate for a repeal of SB 141 allowing for reinstatement for TRS/PERS.
3. Would you support returning to a defined benefits retirement plan as a means of attracting and retaining quality educators?
Yes
Rationale
Absolutely! (see above)
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?
The state could partnership with the fund on a matching dollar for dollar investment. When an employee pays into the fund the state contributes until it's solvent.
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 very important to get first hand information from the source when they are assured the can speak freely.
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. Salary & Benefits 2. Working Conditions--security, supportative adminstrations & peers 3. Community--living conditions, quality of community and parental involvement
2. As a legislator, what will you do to address these factors?
Ensure that schools are funded adequately and bring back TRS/PERS
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?
Support the "Grow our own Teachers" concept by encouraging local students to become teachers by offering scholarships and loans.
Reduce the loans for each year tought in-state.
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?
No
Rationale
Financial disclosure is no secret for districts as the public can easily see the budgets at any time. Many districts have independent auditors to verify their finances.
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
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
In many schools there are great programs being implemented i.e. anti-bullying,anger diffusion etc. I would like to see an increase.
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?
As an incentive to attract and maintain teachers in rural Alaska create a retirement bonus i.e. every six months taught earns an extra month towards retirement.
