Legislator sees challenges during school visit

November 18, 2005

JOEL DAVIDSON/Frontiersman reporter

PALMER - After strolling down hallways, talking to teachers and popping in and out of classrooms at Palmer High School, Mat-Su Rep. Bill Stoltze took a few moments Tuesday to talk about what he learned in a full day back at high school.

Stoltze, R-Chugiak and Mat-Su, joined 30 other state legislators in visiting schools across the state this month. Fellow lawmaker Carl Gatto, R-Palmer, visited Pioneer Peak Elementary on Thursday. The school appearances were part of the Alaska Legislators Back to School program. Sponsored by NEA-Alaska, the goal is to provide legislators a close-up look at current education concerns.

&#8220When you actually come and see a school for yourself, you're more apt to believe what you see,” said Stoltze's host, Kent Hermon, a special education teacher at Palmer. &#8220If all you ever see and read is some written report, you're only getting one dimension and it's sort of like old Doubting Thomas.”

Hermon guided Stoltze around the school, giving him a real-time experience of the high school scene.

Stoltze saw crowded hallways, packed classrooms, overloaded band and music programs and hundreds of what he described as well-behaved students.

&#8220We definitely need to build more schools,” he said after a day negotiating bustling hallways. &#8220We have such an exploding school population in the Valley.”

The elected representative was quick to add that he does not criticize Mat-Su voters for rejecting school bond propositions in October, which would have approved construction of three new area elementary schools.

&#8220The voters are never wrong,” he explained. &#8220We just need to do a better job of showing them why we need more schools. We have to make a better case for new schools.”

Stoltze was particularly impressed by how crowded the music programs were at Palmer, where jazz, choir and other music activities are popular with students. He said more attention should be paid to the needs of programs that encourage the arts and humanities.

&#8220Usually when you go to cut programs, those always seem like the first to go,” he said. &#8220The music classes were packed. Some people may call those frills, but I think the humanities side is an important part of the curriculum.”

Stoltze also witnessed firsthand the growing concern in special education programs such as Hermon's, which work with students with behavior problems that keep them from learning alongside regular education students.

Hermon said he doesn't have enough staff to deal with the number of kids with behavior problems who come his way.

&#8220We are hurting for support staff,” he said. &#8220These kids need support to be with the regular ed kids.”

Herman's request for more staff and money is a common element that runs through most education projects, problems and program needs.

From individual parents and teachers, to administrators, unions, school boards and borough officials, the request for school funding is a perennial major issue during legislative sessions, Stoltze said.

With high oil prices and a projected surplus at the state level, Stoltze said Gov. Frank Murkowski's recent request to increase education funding by $90 million next year will be a dominant topic in the coming session.

&#8220It will be a big issue for both caucuses,” he said, &#8220but a sustainable budget has to be in the back of everyone's mind when thinking about how to use a surplus budget. Murkowski's proposal is not just for $90 million but $90 million every year.”

Mat-Su is expected to receive $9.2 million, but that amount could shift if enrollment numbers change.

In less than two months, Stoltze heads back to Juneau for another round of legislative work. After his Palmer High stop, he said he has now visited every school in the Mat-Su district.

&#8220This is an ongoing process of seeing at the ground level of what's happening in schools,” Stoltze said.

Just how that translates back to Juneau, when he's rubbing shoulders negotiating bills with his colleagues in the House and Senate, remains to be seen.

Hermon isn't keeping his fingers crossed, but said appreciated a visit by a state representative.

&#8220Maybe they can help, maybe they can't, but it is good to see they are concerned,” he said. &#8220It also gives us a chance to see why and how things work at the state level.”

Contact Joel Davidson at

352-2266 or joel.davidson@

frontiersman.com.