Alaska Education Advocates Fear Funding Boost Will Not Happen This Year
Education advocates in Alaska express concerns over potential funding increases amid legislative challenges
Alaska, Funding, Legislature, School Districts, Governor Dunleavy
Juneau: So, Alaska’s education advocates are feeling pretty down about the chances of getting a big funding boost this year. They’re gearing up for another round of trying to get more money for schools, but it’s looking tough with the legislative gridlock.
Last year was a real mess. The Legislature and Governor Mike Dunleavy couldn’t agree on a solid education package, and they ended up one vote short of overriding his veto on a significant funding increase. It was frustrating for everyone involved.
They did manage to get a one-time boost of $176 million last May, which helped a bit, but it was just a temporary fix. School leaders say it didn’t really solve the ongoing issues.
Now, Dunleavy is hinting at a new $200 million education package, but with oil prices down, it’s unclear what that will look like or when it’ll be announced. Advocates are saying they really need a $500 million annual increase just to catch up with inflation over the last 15 years.
Conservative lawmakers usually want to tie any funding increases to reforms aimed at improving Alaska’s poor test scores. While advocates are open to discussions about policy changes, their main focus is on securing a permanent funding increase. But honestly, they’re feeling pretty pessimistic about it.
Lon Garrison, who heads the Association of Alaska School Boards, shared his worries, saying they’re just so far behind and it’s causing a lot of stress.
In Anchorage, the school district is facing a whopping $111 million deficit. Class sizes are getting huge, with some high school classes hitting 40 students. Without more funding, things are only going to get worse.
Andy Holleman, the president of the Anchorage School Board, said they really want those numbers to be lower. Meanwhile, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is looking at a $16 million deficit, which could lead to cuts in programs and activities.
Superintendent Clayton Holland from Kenai said they’re facing some tough choices ahead. The Juneau School District has also been in a tight spot, dealing with budget issues and declining enrollment.
Superintendent Frank Hauser mentioned they’ve had to close schools and make some big changes just to stay afloat. Other districts are feeling the pinch too, with rising costs and crumbling facilities adding to the stress.
Rebecca Himschoot, an independent representative from Sitka, called it an “absolute crisis.” Last year, they did get a one-time funding boost, but it came too late to really help. Many districts are still dipping into their savings to make ends meet.
In September, Anchorage Senator Löki Tobin asked for a report on how inflation has impacted education funding since 2010. The findings showed that the state’s per-student funding formula hasn’t kept up with inflation, and they’d need to increase it significantly to catch up.
Some lawmakers are skeptical about just throwing more money at the problem without making changes to improve outcomes. They want to see real results before agreeing to any funding increases.
Palmer Senator Shelley Hughes echoed that sentiment, saying any funding boost needs to come with meaningful reforms. She’s also a proponent of school choice, wanting to expand how public funds can be used.
But time is running out for the legislators to act. Last year, the Coalition for Education Equity even threatened to sue the state over funding levels, claiming they don’t meet constitutional requirements.
Executive director Caroline Storm said they’re waiting to see if the legislators will approve a funding increase this year, but the clock is ticking.
After some tough negotiations last year, the Legislature did approve a historic funding increase, but Dunleavy vetoed it, which frustrated many lawmakers. They’re hoping for a better outcome this time around.
With a divided House and Senate, it’s going to be a challenge. Some members haven’t agreed on what kind of funding increase they’ll support this year.
Hughes mentioned that any funding boost would need to come with reforms to get enough support. She’s clear that they’ll uphold the governor’s veto if they don’t see meaningful changes.
This year’s discussions might include expanding charter schools and making it easier for students to enroll in different districts. There’s also an ongoing lawsuit about how public funds are being used for private school tuition.
Interest groups are gearing up for another tough legislative battle. The teachers’ union is pushing for a significant funding increase that adjusts for inflation, while also wanting to bring back pensions for teachers.
Tom Klaameyer, the union president, said they want to find common ground with Dunleavy, but teachers might not support a funding increase if it comes with policies they don’t agree with.
Many advocates are worried that Dunleavy might hold funding increases hostage for reforms that could lead to voucher programs. They’re not too optimistic about being able to override his veto power.
Americans for Prosperity, a conservative group, supports using public funds for private schools and has been vocal about their stance. They believe funding should directly support students rather than just going into district funds.
For those who have been in the education advocacy game for a while, this fight feels all too familiar. But they’re saying the stakes are higher than ever.
Garrison summed it up well, saying it feels like “Groundhog Day” and that if things don’t change soon, the whole system could collapse. That’s a scary thought for everyone involved.