”Alaska Governor Sarah Palin [on May 15, 2009] signed two bills that will provide a grace period for charter schools experiencing decreased enrollment and authorize the state to enroll in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children” (Charter Schools, 2009, ¶1).
Governor Palin addresses Academy Charter School students in Palmer, AK prior to signing SB-57 into law.
”Senate Bill 57, sponsored by State Senator Joe Thomas provides” the grace period, which helps charter schools in two ways. First, it restores eligibility for “separate school” status, a term which refers to among other things the higher levels of funding these schools receive. The grace period also reduces the number of students required for a charter school to qualify for “separate school” status, which helps schools that have suffered enrollment declines (Charter Schools, 2009, ¶3).
Under the grace period, these schools have a year to “increase enrollment, integrate with another school, or close” (Charter Schools, 2009, ¶4).
Charter schools are public schools open to all children, free of charge. They must comply with state laws governing public schools, and they employ state-certified teachers. Charter schools are managed by a parent-elected board of directors that determines the school’s curriculum and teaching methods, within the guidelines of state statutes. Governor Palin signed SB 57 at Academy Charter School in Palmer (Charter Schools, 2009, ¶5).
Governor Palin signs SB-57 into law, executing the bill in the presence of Academy Charter School students in Palmer, AK.
Governor Palin sits with the students of Academy Charter School in Palmer, AK. Notice the McCain-Palin tee shirt on one happy student…
House Bill 137, sponsored by Representative John Coghill, allows Alaska to join other states in an interstate compact intended to develop uniform rules that provide for the educational needs of military dependents. The compact eases enrollment, portability and acceptance of school transcripts and other education records, student class placement, and on-time graduation, and allows collaborative information-sharing among state educational systems. Governor Palin signed HB 137 at Aurora Elementary School on Elmendorf Air Force Base (Charter Schools, 2009, ¶6).
Governor Sarah Palin addresses PK-6 grade students at Aurora Elementary School on Elmendorf Air Force Base prior to signing HB 137, Military Students Compact.
Governor Sarah Palin greets military families at Aurora Elementary School after signing HB 137, Military Students Compact.
Governor Sarah Palin is presented with a special award of appreciation from the students of Aurora Elementary School by Principal Gary Webber.
Governor Sarah Palin, First Gentleman Todd Palin and Principal Gary Webb stand by a sign of appreciation made for the governor by the Aurora PTA.
Commentary
Any legislation that improves education of our children is a good thing, as is giving parents a choice as to where their children will ultimately be educated. Further, children of our service people have educational needs above and beyond that of the general student population. …their parents tend to move around a lot. Her signature upon that bill ensures that Alaska is part of a uniform system in which these children can receive a quality education. Governor Palin consistently focuses on legislation that improves the lives of her constituents and has little use for some of the nonsensical bills that tend to cross a governor’s desk from time to time.
A unique aspect to this is in situ bill signings. Governor Palin did not sign these bills in either of her gubernatorial offices. Instead, she signed them in the actual locations that they will affect. At the signings, she addressed those who will benefit by the bills, explained it to them in terms they could understand, and signed each one in their presence. She bonded with the students and knelt to their level, blending in with them in a group photo. All these actions are hallmarks of a transformational leader.
Notice one student who made her support known via the McCain-Palin tee shirt and the ear-to-ear smile she wore….”
References
Governor Palin Signs House and Senate bills. (2009, May 15). State of Alaska, Governor. Retrieved May 16, 2009 from: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=1847.
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