Education advocates in Alaska express concern over potential funding increases amid legislative challenges
Juneau: Alaska education advocates are feeling pretty down about the chances of getting a big funding boost this year. They’re gearing up for another push, but it’s looking tough with the legislative gridlock ahead.
Last year was a real struggle. The Legislature and Governor Mike Dunleavy couldn’t agree on a solid education package, and they fell just one vote short of overriding his veto on a significant funding increase.
In May, they managed to approve a one-time funding boost of $176 million, which was a nice gesture but not enough to solve the ongoing issues. School leaders said it helped a bit, but it was just a temporary fix.
Now, Dunleavy has hinted at a new $200 million education package, but details are scarce, and the state’s finances are tight due to falling oil prices. Education advocates argue that they really need a $500 million annual increase to catch up after years of inflation losses.
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, though they’re feeling pretty pessimistic about it.
Lon Garrison, the executive director of the Association of Alaska School Boards, expressed his worries, saying, “We’re just so far behind. I worry about that. That’s a lot of stress.”
The Anchorage School District is facing a staggering $111 million deficit, leading to overcrowded classrooms. Some high school classes have 40 students, and elementary classes have 30. Without more funding, class sizes are only going to get worse.
Andy Holleman, the president of the Anchorage School Board, said they want those numbers to be much lower. Meanwhile, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is looking at a $16 million deficit, which could mean cutting school theaters, swimming pools, and extracurricular activities.
Kenai Superintendent Clayton Holland said, “This time around, there’s really no way around significant cuts across the board.”
In Juneau, the school district recently faced a budget crisis due to some accounting errors. Superintendent Frank Hauser mentioned that they’ve had to make tough decisions, like closing schools and consolidating others.
Without more funding, they might have to make deep cuts to staff and programs. Other districts are in similar situations, struggling with hiring and rising costs for power, healthcare, and insurance. Rural schools are dealing with crumbling facilities.
Rebecca Himschoot, an independent representative from Sitka and a former teacher, said, “We are in an absolute crisis.”
Last year, the Legislature did approve a one-time funding boost, but it came too late in the budget cycle to make a real difference. Many districts had to dip into their savings just to stay afloat.
In September, Anchorage Democratic Senator Löki Tobin asked for a report on how inflation has affected education funding since 2010. The findings showed that the state’s per-student funding formula has barely kept up with inflation, and they’d need to increase it significantly to catch up.
Some lawmakers are skeptical about blanket funding increases without policy changes. Anchorage Republican Rep.-elect Mia Costello emphasized the need to focus on outcomes and improvements.
Palmer GOP Senator Shelley Hughes echoed this sentiment, suggesting that any additional funding should be targeted to classrooms and support school choice.
Time is running out for legislators to act, or they might face legal challenges. Last year, the Coalition for Education Equity threatened to sue the state over inadequate funding levels.
Executive director Caroline Storm said they’re waiting to see if the Legislature will approve a funding increase this year, stressing that educators and parents can’t wait much longer.
After some tough negotiations, the Legislature had approved a historic funding increase last year, but Dunleavy vetoed it, citing concerns over local control of charter schools.
Senator Bill Wielechowski, who led negotiations, found the process frustrating, especially after so many legislators initially supported the package. The veto became a hot topic in the recent elections, with many voters wanting their representatives to prioritize education.
Wielechowski believes the Legislature will pass an education measure this year, but if they can’t work with Dunleavy, they might have to try to override another veto.
With a divided House and Senate, there’s no agreement yet on a Base Student Allocation increase. Hughes mentioned that any funding boost would need to come with meaningful reforms to gain enough support.
Policy discussions this year could cover a range of topics, including charter schools and cellphone restrictions in schools. There’s also an ongoing lawsuit about how public homeschool funds are being used for private school tuition.
Interest groups are gearing up for another tough legislative battle. The state’s teachers union is pushing for a significant funding increase that adjusts for inflation and a return to pensions for teachers.
Tom Klaameyer, the president of NEA-Alaska, hopes for a compromise with Dunleavy but warns that teachers might resist any funding increase tied to controversial policies.
Many advocates fear that Dunleavy will use the funding increase as leverage for reforms that could lead to voucher programs. They’re worried that his veto power could stifle any real progress.
Americans for Prosperity, a conservative group, supports expanding how public funds are used at private schools and applauded Dunleavy’s veto last year.
For those who have been in the fight for a while, this legislative battle feels all too familiar. Garrison summed it up well, saying, “It seems like ‘Groundhog Day’ all over again.” If things don’t change soon, the education system could face serious consequences.
