JANUARY 31, 2014  

Back-to-School Edition

Rep. Tarr reading to first-graders at Williwaw Elementary School.

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

As many of you are aware, public education is a #1 priority for me. I have been teaching for 15 years and my experience spans many levels of education, from first grade through college. So when Governor Parnell said in his State of the State speech that this year is the year of education – I wholeheartedly agree!

I spent the interim visiting all of the schools in our area and met with students, teachers, administrators, and principals. It was fantastic to spend the time in our schools.

I did everything from read books to kindergartners to presenting in the Social Studies class at the Alaska Native Cultural Charter School to using my skills as an anatomy & physiology professor to teach to the Healthcare Academy at Bartlett High School.

Central Middle School has an elective programming course where students were learning how to make their own computer games. All of the codes on the right are required to move through the maze on the left and on to the next level!

I saw state support in action with equipment in use, students playing musical instruments, and students learning about technology upgrades (see photo on the left).

I also spent time learning about the security upgrades funded through last year’s capital budget.

There are so many great things happening in our schools and I have great confidence in our administrators, teachers, staff, and students. While I remain optimistic about meeting our goal of 90% graduation by 2020, I am greatly concerned about the predicted layoffs due to budget cuts in the coming years.

What I learned is that with predicted budget cuts:

• Grade schools will lose 2-3 teachers and class sizes will increase;
   
• The middle school model will go away;
   
• Each high school will lose 3-4 full time teachers.

This is unacceptable and I will do everything in my power to achieve additional classroom funding this year.

Legislation that will affect education:

• Base Student Allocation (BSA):
   
  • H.B. 95 would increase the BSA by $286 for each student. Right now it is held in the House Education Committee.
     
• Vouchers: H.J.R. 1/S.J.R. 9 are resolutions.
   
  • They would allow the public to vote to change the Alaska Constitution to allow public K-12 funding to be directed to private and religious schools.
     
• Governor’s Bill: H.B. 278
   
  • Only increases the BSA funding by $201 over the next three years;
     
  • Eliminates the High School Graduation Exam, which we have been encouraging for years;
     
  • Creates a tax credit for scholarships and school construction.
     
• Promoting early reading:
   
  • SB 107 establishes a reading program for public school students from kindergarten through third grade.

For more information on bills that affect education, click here.

Please get in touch with our office if you have any questions about this legislation and to add your voice to the list of supporters of the great public education system in our State.

Visit an Anchorage School

February is Visit Our Schools Month for the Anchorage School District, and you do not have to be a parent to visit the schools. Community members and parents alike are invited on school tours every Tuesday in February at 9:30 a.m. For those of us who cannot make a 9:30 a.m. tour, the schools will also be offering a 6:00 p.m. tour on Tuesday, February 25th. Come and learn more about the many local education opportunities the schools offer!

More information is available at: www.asdk12.org/visit

What: SOS - Save Our Schools Public Education Rally   Where: Steps of the Capitol   When: Monday, February 17 at Noon

For those of you who have friends and relatives in Juneau or are planning on being in town, I would love to see people here for the Education Rally!

BP Teachers of Excellence – Nominate your favorite teacher.

Every year, BP recognizes Teachers of Excellence in the community with a $500 gift card for the teacher and a matching $500 to the teacher’s school! BP is accepting nominations across Alaska for the BP Teachers of Excellence program. Nominate your favorite teacher at bpteachers.com by February 14th, 2014, and follow their search for great teachers at facebook.com/bpteachers.

More information is available by calling:

1-888-530-8962 or 1-907-564-4001

Sincerely,

Representative Geran Tarr