Vandalism damages a school district’s physical plant, has a negative impact on student learning, and demoralizes hard-working staff and students. Every taxpayer dollar spent on repairing vandalism is a dollar a school district cannot invest in textbooks, teachers or technology.
In 2003, the Alaska Legislature took the first step by modestly increasing the amount school districts can recover from either parent, both parents, or the legal guardian of an un-emancipated minor under the age of 18 years, who, as a result of a knowing or intentional act, destroys real or personal property belonging to a school district.
The 2003 measure was a step in the right direction, but we believe the liability limits remain unnecessary and counter to good public policy. An artificial ceiling is unfair to the taxpaying public. We believe school districts will reasonably evaluate when to seek full recovery, and courts will reasonably weigh circumstances in which full recovery is inappropriate due to family or financial circumstances.
| The Anchorage School Board urges the Legislature to allow a school district to recover, with appropriate judicial protections, the full amount of damages to school property from an un-emancipated minor and from either parent, both parents, or the legal guardian of the minor who, as a result of a knowing or intentional act, destroys real or personal property belonging to a school district. |
|
The creation of, and long-term commitment to, a plentiful Alaskan workforce — educated and skilled for the
occupations of the future –- is a key to economic vitality.
Workforce development is a lifelong process of preparing
and placing people into jobs. Workforce development
and economic development require quality and relevant
education from preschool through technical/vocational
training or college.
There is no quick fix. Key stakeholders must develop
a plan based on a shared vision that can be implemented
over time.
The Anchorage School Board supports the establishment
of a statewide task force to plan for improving workforce development opportunities and training statewide.
The Anchorage School Board also supports adequate and
equitable funding for career development opportunities for students at all grade levels, while meeting the requirements
of the High School Graduation Qualifying Exam
(HSGQE) and demands of the No Child Left Behind Act
(NCLB) and the Individual With Disabilities Act (IDEA). |
|
