News from the Senate Majority
Alaska State Legislature

Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907/465-4582
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540

Legislature Passes Prototype School Measure

Bill Reduces Cost of Building Schools in Alaska

For Immediate Release: March 13,1998 Contact: Senator Gary Wilken at (907) 465-3709.

Juneau – The House Friday passed part of the deferred maintenance package calling for school districts to build prototypical, or identical school facilities to produce savings in the design and maintenance of schools. Senate Concurrent Resolution 19 passed by a vote of 29 to 1.

"I believe the use of prototypical schools will help reduce both short term and long term costs of schools built in Alaska," said Senator Gary Wilken (R-Fairbanks). "From what I have seen in Fairbanks, we could be building eleven schools for the price we currently pay for ten. This means we can serve more children with modern facilities which will improve the educational environment for kids."

The Deferred Maintenance Task Force, after receiving testimony in statewide meetings last year, found that communities realize substantial cost savings by using one floor plan for building multiple, identical facilities.

I’m delighted to see the support this resolution received on the House floor today," said Representative Eldon Mulder, Co-Chair of the Deferred Maintenance Task Force. "This resolution creates a unique opportunity to provide better facilities at reduced costs in both the rural and urban areas. This is the first of several recommendations from the Deferred Maintenance Task Force to receive approval from both Houses."

SCR 19 requests the Department of Education (DOE) and the Bond Reimbursement and Grant Review Committee to develop plans for prototypical schools and incentives to use them. DOE is requested to report to the Legislature by March 1, 1998 if changes in current law are needed to implement this program.

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