MINUTES OF THE

SENATE Committee on Human Resources and Facilities

 

Seventy-First Session

May 11, 2001

 

 

The Senate Committee on Human Resources and Facilitieswas called to order by Chairman Raymond D. Rawson, at 12:47 p.m., on Friday, May 11, 2001, in Room 2135 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada.  Exhibit A is the Agenda.  Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster.  All exhibits are available and on file at the Research Library of the Legislative Counsel Bureau.

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

Senator Raymond D. Rawson, Chairman

Senator Randolph J. Townsend

Senator Mark Amodei

Senator Bernice Mathews

Senator Michael Schneider

Senator Valerie Wiener

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:

 

Senator Maurice Washington, Vice Chairman (Excused)

 

GUEST LEGISLATORS PRESENT:

 

Assemblywoman Sandra J. Tiffany, Clark County Assembly District No. 21

Assemblywoman Christina R. Giunchigliani, Clark County Assembly District

            No. 9

Assemblywoman Debbie Smith, Washoe County Assembly District No. 30

 

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

H. Pepper Sturm, Committee Policy Analyst

Joan Polichio-Palm, Committee Secretary

 

OTHERS PRESENT:

 

Craig Kadlub, Lobbyist, Clark County School District

Susan E. Scholley, Senior Research Analyst, Research Division, Legislative Counsel Bureau

Rose E. McKinney-James, Lobbyist, Clark County School District

Patrick L. Herron, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent, Facilities Division, Clark   County School District

Elton Dale Scheideman, Director, Planning and Engineering Department/Facilities             Division, Clark County School District.

Steve Williams, Lobbyist Washoe County School District

Dotty L. Merrill, Lobbyist, Washoe County School District

Randy Robison, Lobbyist, National Association of School Boards, Rural Alliance

 

Chairman Rawson opened the hearing on Assembly Bill (A.B.) 364, and introduced Assemblywoman Sandra J. Tiffany, Clark County Assembly District No. 21.

 

ASSEMBLY BILL 364:  Requires annual reporting by regional subdistricts in certain school districts. (BDR 34-1163)

 

Assemblywoman Tiffany testified the annual reporting will be by regional subdistricts within school districts, and the genesis of S.B. 364 was fairness and equity.  She gave the committee examples of the areas of concern that would be reported, such as: how many administrators were within each region; what types of teachers existed; the number of substitute teachers utilized; and any additional training teachers obtained.  Assemblywoman Tiffany explained the pupil demographics such as race, ethnicity, gender, special talents or skills, and free lunches. 

 

Chairman Rawson requested information on the fiscal note.

 

Craig Kadlub, Lobbyist, Clark County School District, testified S.B. 364 would redefine the reporting issues by regions rather than districtwide.  He said the change in reporting would not incur a great increase in funding. 

 

Chairman Rawson questioned whether S.B. 364 was an unfunded mandate.  Mr. Kadlub stated the Business and Finance Division of the Clark County School District indicated the additional reporting would cost $40,000.  He explained the rationalization for the bill is to improve services to the population in the school district.  Mr. Kadlub said the additional expense would be caused by the additional time necessary to gather the data and generate the reports.  Chairman Rawson commented, in essence, S.B. 364 is codifying the actions of the school district.  Mr Kadlub agreed.

Chairman Rawson closed the hearing on S.B. 364 and asked for a motion.

 

            SENATOR AMODEI MOVED TO DO PASS S.B. 364.

 

            SENATOR SCHNEIDER SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

            THE MOTION CARRIED.  (SENATOR WASHINGTON WAS ABSENT FOR    THE VOTE.)

 

*****

 

Chairman Rawson opened the hearing and invited testimony on Assembly Bill (A.B.) 499. 

 

ASSEMBLY BILL 499:  Revises provisions governing policy for renovation or reconstruction of schools and authorizes use of money from fund for capital projects for continuation of pilot program for replacement of schools in certain school district. (BDR 34-861)

 

Susan E. Scholley, Senior Research Analyst, Research Division, Legislative Counsel Bureau, testified on Assembly Bill 499, saying she was speaking on behalf of Assemblyman Wendell P. Williams, Clark County Assembly District   No. 6.  She said A.B. 499 had two components.  Ms. Scholley stated the first part of the bill amends Assembly Bill 368 of the Seventieth Session.

 

ASSEMBLY BILL 368 OF THE SEVENTIETH SESSION:  Requires annual audit of         certain expenditures by certain school districts and development of policy             to renovate or reconstruct certain school facilities by certain school             districts.             (BDR 31-179)

 

Ms. Scholley told the committee A.B. 368 of the Seventieth Session provided a pilot program for school replacement in the Clark County School District.  She pointed out A.B. 499 would change the completion deadline for the school replacement project. 

 

Ms. Scholley noted the second part of A.B. 368, which needed to be revised was the estimate for the cost of the school replacement, due to the omission of demolition costs and expenses.  In addition, she explained A.B. 499 would raise the cap in A.B. 368 of the Seventieth Session from $15 million to $18 million. 

Ms. Scholley commented the second component would continue the pilot programs for school reconstruction only in the Clark County School District.  She said there would be eight school replacement projects to be completed by July 2003, and A.B. 499 authorizes up to $200 million to be used from the Capitol Improvement Fund in chapter 387 of Nevada Revised Statutes.          Ms. Scholley noted A.B. 499 requires the policies for school replacement and reconstruction to include consideration of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  She stated A.B. 499 would raise the number of school replacement projects from five to eight, and the funding would increase from $90 million to        $200 million.

 

Chairman Rawson questioned whether the authorization for the pilot program ends with the biennium.  Ms. Scholley replied the Clark County School District would be able to proceed with a school replacement program, but the  representatives from the  Clark County School District would be able to answer the question.  Chairman Rawson asked whether the authorization from         $15 million to $18 million is per school.  Ms. Scholley responded the authorization only applies to the school replacement project that was mandated by A.B. 368 of the Seventieth Session.  She remarked the eight programs would be funded by the $200 million as proposed in A.B. 499.

 

 Chairman Rawson expressed concern about the impact A.B. 499 would have if not passed, and asked whether a school would be omitted if the $18 million were not approved.  Ms. Scholley answered the proposal was increased on the Assembly floor, and she declined knowledge of Clark County’s position. 

 

Chairman Rawson requested a member of the Clark County School District respond to his concerns about the funding issues.  Chairman Rawson reiterated his confusion about whether A.B. 499 replaces the existing program, and the number of elementary schools that normally would be built.

 

Rose E. McKinney-James, Lobbyist, Clark County School District, introduced Patrick L. Herron, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent, Facilities Division, Clark County School District, and Elton Dale Scheideman, Director, Planning and Engineering Department/Facilities Division, Clark County School District.

 

Dr. Herron testified the pilot project applied to the replacement of the first school; thereafter, it became the school replacement program.  He said the district was required to create and implement a policy for school replacement.  Dr. Herron stated through the building program, 15 new schools a year are built. 

 

Chairman Rawson asked what the average cost was per school.

 

Mr. Scheideman answered the average cost was $12.5 million per elementary school, $22 million for a middle school, and $38 million for a high school.  Chairman Rawson asked what type of school was used in the pilot project.    Mr. Scheideman replied an elementary school was used in the pilot project. 

 

Chairman Rawson questioned the reason for the increase to $18 million for an elementary school.  Dr. Herron responded the project would be site-specific, not a generic school project.  He mentioned that building a new school while school is in session adds to the cost.  Referring to the “Studies on the Impact of Daylighting in Schools” (Exhibit C.  Original is on file in the Research Library.), Mr. Herron stated the new school would be energy efficient with daylighting and solar energy, and the cost would be paid back in 2 years.  He stressed the Legislature extended a challenge to the Clark County School District during the last legislative session to make the pilot project a model for the entire state. 

 

Chairman Rawson iterated his concern that for every three schools at the increased cost, one less school can be built.  He opined it would equate to the loss of 5 for every 15 schools that could be built.  Dr. Herron claimed the goal for the Clark County School District was to build a school “fast, cheap, and do it right.”  He reiterated that site conditions affect the building costs. 

 

Chairman Rawson asked whether the school was open for viewing.  Dr. Herron replied the drawings of the school are 95 percent completed, then there would be the bid date, and the opening would commence in the autumn of 2002.      He noted the cost of the new school would be $16.5 million, and therefore    $18 million will guarantee a cushion. 

 

Chairman Rawson questioned the expense of the planning portion of the project.  Mr. Scheideman responded the normal fees are 8.5 percent.  He said an additional investigation of the site concerning the soil, groundwater, and utilities was required because of the location, but the costs were not unusual.  Chairman Rawson queried whether authorization, not actual funds, had been used.  Mr. Scheideman answered in the affirmative.  Chairman Rawson opined $1.5 million was used for the design process.  Mr. Scheideman agreed with the figure. 

 

Ms. McKinney-James called attention to line 7, page 3, of A.B. 499, and proposed language to limit the total number of schools to five.             Chairman Rawson asked for the identity of the schools.  Mr. Scheideman replied that the study would be completed shortly.  Chairman Rawson questioned the impact of cutting the number of schools.  Ms. McKinney-James said the cost of including the additional schools would be prohibitive.  She emphasized the number of schools would be fewer, but the quality of effort would remain the same. 

 

Assemblywoman Christina R. Giunchigliani, Clark County Assembly District   No. 9, said she authored the amendment, and agreed to include five rather than eight schools in A.B. 499.  She stated Virgin Valley and Sunrise Acres were among the schools to be built.  Assemblywoman Giunchigliani expounded on the ways the Americans with Disabilities Act component had been strengthened. 

 

Senator Wiener asked whether building a new school versus rehabilitating an old school is more cost effective.  Mr. Scheideman referred to page 4 of the document titled, “Clark County School District, School Facility Replacement Survey” (Exhibit D), in response to the question.  He explained the underground utilities and foundations are not replaced, but page 5 of Exhibit D includes an evaluation of the cost to bring a facility up to standard.  Continuing,             Mr. Scheideman stated the three phases to the study of replacing a school are depicted on page 5 of Exhibit D.  He said page 6 of Exhibit D shows the replacement cost would be 63 percent; therefore, the decision was made to replace the school.  Mr. Scheideman called attention to pages 8 and 9 of   Exhibit D, explaining the trading of land and relocation of an existing ball field needed to be made to accommodate the new school. 

 

Ms. McKinney-James remarked many facilities that were originally schools could be used for other educational purposes. 

 

Dr. Herron asked to present budget information.  He commented on the school’s completion date requirements in A.B. 368, and pointed out that a letter from Senator Raggio (Exhibit E) recommended a bill be proposed to the 2001 Legislature amending the July 1, 2001, completion date.  Chairman Rawson assured Dr. Herron there is a willingness on the part of the Legislature to cooperate. 

 

Dr. Herron pointed out the turnover of teachers is a critical problem toward having, a successful instructional program.  He remarked that instituting a day-care center in schools is an enticement for teachers and staff.  Concluding his remarks, Dr. Herron emphasized the usefulness of the pilot project.

 

Senator Wiener asked for clarity on the pilot project, and the priority of the expenditures.  Mr. Scheideman said the project referred to was ”the 1994 Bond Fund,” which updated technology and upgraded the conditions of the school.  Senator Wiener questioned whether the “50 year philosophy,” as depicted in (Exhibit D), is a new way of “doing business.”  Mr. Scheideman replied every school is different and every school requires an in-depth study. 

 

Senator Amodei closed the hearing on A.B. 499, and opened the hearing on Assembly Bill (A.B.) 318.

 

ASSEMBLY BILL 318:  Provides for development and distribution of certain information relating to high school proficiency examination.         (BDR 34-1301)

 

Ms. Scholley testified on behalf of Assemblyman Williams and the Assembly Committee on Education.  She noted A.B. 318 requires the State Department of Education to create a pamphlet on the high school proficiency examination, which would provide needed information to parents and students.  Ms. Scholley said that included in the pamphlet would be recommended courses of study to ensure students are taking the necessary courses to pass the proficiency examination.  She stated it also would require the State Department of Education to initiate a statewide program to prepare students for the proficiency examination.

 

Senator Wiener commended the concept of A.B. 318.  She questioned whether there was a fiscal impact on the state.  Ms. Scholley declined knowledge of a fiscal impact. 

 

Steve Williams, Lobbyist, Washoe County School District, spoke in favor of Assembly Bill 318.  He said A.B. 318 makes a logical step in the Nevada educational process, and it is important high standards are established and achieved.  Mr. Williams stated it is equally important for students and parents to be made aware of the expectations well in advance of the testing. 

 

Senator Wiener suggested the information process start prior to middle school or junior high school. 

 

Dotty L. Merrill, Lobbyist, Washoe County School District, responded A.B. 318 was crafted to provide information to students in a timely manner as they enroll in middle school or junior high school.  She emphasized the problem arises because in one instance the information would impact grades 6, 7, and 8; but the other instance it would impact grades 7, 8, and 9.  Ms. Merrill stated the concept was students would “start off on a track that is going to enable them to be academically and attitudinally ready, so that the culture prepares them to succeed.”

 

Randy Robison, Lobbyist, National Association of School Boards, Rural Alliance, voiced support of A.B. 318. 

 

Assemblywoman Debbie Smith, Washoe County Assembly District No. 30, testified as the Chairwoman of the Counsel to Establish Academic Standards, and said she was in favor of A.B. 318.  She explained the counsel has been discussing the need for a method of communicating to parents and students, the information necessary to allow students to succeed in proficiency testing. Assemblywoman Smith stated A.B. 318 would achieve that goal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senator Amodei adjourned the meeting at 1:41 p.m.

 

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

 

Patricia Vardakis for Joan                         Polchio-Palm

Committee Secretary

 

 

APPROVED BY:

 

 

 

                       

Senator Raymond D. Rawson, Chairman

 

 

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