75th Legislative Session -- 2000

Committee: House Appropriations

                                            P - Present
                                            E - Excused
                                            A - Absent

Roll Call
P      Cerny
P      Burg
P      Sutton (Daniel)
E      Derby
P      Clark
P      Pummel
P      Klaudt
E      Wudel
P      Putnam, Vice-Chair
P      Richter, Chair


OTHERS PRESENT: See Original Minutes

Mr. Dale Bertsch, LRC, staffed the meeting.

The meeting was called to order by Chair Richter

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Secretary Ray Christensen appeared before the committee to answer concerns regarding the $10.3 million that is left in his budget.

Mr. Todd Vik, Director Finance Management, explained that the $10.3 is leftover Average Daily Membership (ADM) funds and the underestimation of assessed valuation. Ms. Susan Woodmancy, Director Data Collection and Technical Support, added that in the switching of tracking students by name they found a duplication of 1500 students, which played a part in the leftover funds.

Secretary Christensen, told the committee that the Governor has designated those excess funds to be used for technology in the schools. In his update Secretary Christensen said that all schools have been wired and they are finishing up connecting the pipes and the ATM's. He said some of the funds would also be used to upgrade the present RDT to VTEL.

When asked about ongoing costs Mr. Vik responded that once the infrastructure is complete there would be requests for funding for such things as telephone expense which he estimated to be about $4 million per year spread among all the telephone companies throughout the state.

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Representative Clark posed the question of the Youth at Risk Funds and Mr. Vik responded that they contract with Department of Military & Veterans affairs for $108,000 for maundering and have contracts with 9 foster care families for $20 to $25 thousand per family for corrections.

Secretary Christensen explained the need for an additional $1 million to be used along with $5.5 million for training of 1200 teachers and administrators this summer. He explained that some of the funds are designated for training of Network Administrators.

A brief discussion followed on the need for grant writers and curriculum developers and Secretary Christensen advised the committee that there is the need but they do not have the available funds.

MOTION:      TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF January 28, 1999

Moved by:      Representative Sutton (Daniel)
Second by:      Representative Burg
Action:      Prevailed by voice vote.

MOTION:      ADJOURN

Moved by:      Representative Pummel
Second by:      Representative Burg
Action:      Prevailed by voice vote.

Jeanette Black

Committee Secretary