Sponsor Statement for Senate Concurrent Resolution 19

HES Committee Substitute

Use of Prototypical Designed Schools

The Deferred Maintenance Task Force received testimony on the cost savings and operational advantages of prototypical schools. Several communities use them today. The Task Force found that the savings in design cost and the ease of maintaining several identical physical plants offered the opportunity to fund more schools as the savings are achieved.

One rural school district has expresses great interest in using a prototype for schools in its district. They are currently in discussions with the Fairbanks School District to learn from the Fairbanks experience.

This resolution requests the Department of Education to develop prototype schools and incentives for districts to use them. The Department of Education is requested to report to the legislature by March 1, 1998 any statutory changes that may be needed to accomplish this goal.

The proposed Committee Substitute speaks to several concerns that have been expressed and several technical corrections.

Page 1 line 6

replaces "critical" with "crucial"

Page 1 lines 15 through Page 2 Line 1

corrects the names of the municipalities

Page 2 Lines 2 through 7

These lines were added at the suggestion of representatives of the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District. They refer to the success of prototype designs in reducing maintenance costs and reducing first year operational problems with new schools.

Page 2 lines 8 through 10

notes that designs need to reflect the unique environments found in Alaska

Page 2 line 15

specifies that the development of prototype designs is for elementary grades

Page 2 lines 15 through 18

adds consultation with architects, engineers, and professional organizations familiar with Alaskan climactic conditions and its effect on school design

Page 2 line 20

directs the Department of Education consult with the bond reimbursement and grant review committee on developing designs and on establishing incentives for use of the prototype designs

Page 2 lines 24 through 27

adds a resolve to request that the Dept. of Education identify prototype components when a prototype design might not be appropriate.

Page 2 Line 30

Changes report date to March 15