is limited to DOTPF, does statute usage of the word “schools” include the University of Alaska?
For purposes of AS 35.27, “‘building’ or ‘facility’ means a permanent improvement constructed by the department; the term . . . includes, but is not limited to, . . . schools, . . . .” AS 35.27.030(1), in relevant part (emphasis added). The term “schools” is not defined for purposes of AS 35.27. The term was added to AS 35.27 in 1977. Ch. 96, SLA 1977. In that year the legislature amended AS 35.27 to provide for the manner of selecting artists who execute works of art for public schools (sec. 1, ch. 96, SLA 1977), to reduce the portion (from one percent to one-half percent) of the construction cost of a rural school facility that must be reserved for works of art (sec. 2, ch. 96, SLA 1977), and to define “public facilities” to include schools (sec. 3, ch. 96, SLA 1977) [see Note 7]. On a number of occasions the Department of Law has considered the meaning of the term “school” in AS 35.27. In each case the Department of Law considered the term only in the context of local primary and se
