As parents watch their children embark on their first year in elementary school, an overwhelming sense of anxiety pervades the experience. Kindergarten, which should be a joyous time of firsts like performances and field trips, is instead overshadowed by concerns about the state of public education in Alaska.
Parents like Rachel Blakeslee feel the pressure and exhaustion from ongoing advocacy efforts aimed at defending public schools against what they believe is a systematic dismantling by state leaders. The rhetoric expressed by politicians distorts the reality of the education system, leading to feelings of fatigue among advocates.
“We are tired of watching education be weaponized for political infighting,” stated Blakeslee, emphasizing that parents across the political spectrum value and rely upon a well-resourced public education system.
This crisis, according to many, is not an accident, but rather the consequence of policy choices made over the past decade, primarily under the leadership of Governor Mike Dunleavy. The governor has a history of undermining public education, starting in 2014 when he sponsored legislation allowing state funds meant for correspondence schools to be used for private school tuition.
Such moves have diverted public resources from public schools, leading to a continuous undermining of their capabilities. Once in office, Dunleavy began flat-funding public education by freezing the Base Student Allocation (BSA).
As public schools struggled with dwindling resources, politicians have increasingly scapegoated the education system for its shortcomings. Many education advocates argue that this narrative is disingenuous, as schools have not failed students; rather, they have been failed by the government’s lack of support.
The recent passage of HB 69 through the Senate, followed by its disappointing fate in the House, serves as a stark example of the ongoing struggle. The bill, which aimed to address education funding, passed with a slim margin but was met with opposition from Rep. Julie Coulombe, a former supporter.
Now, the bill is set to be vetoed by the governor, who has demonstrated an unwillingness to prioritize education funding repeatedly.
Educators and parents alike express frustration at legislators for not treating education as a necessary priority. Blakeslee emphasizes that relying solely on oil revenue to fund public services is unsustainable and outdated.
A clear message was conveyed: if lawmakers believe they cannot adequately fund education, it is their responsibility to explore new revenue-generating solutions.
The discussion of public education extends beyond students and encompasses the entire state’s economy. Families should have the freedom to choose the educational path that suits their children, whether through public schools, charter schools, private schools, or homeschooling.
However, Blakeslee asserts that public investment must be substantial enough to support the broader system. A proposed increase in the BSA of $1,000 would benefit all students, regardless of their educational settings.
“Prioritizing selective educational models does not expand genuine choices, as claimed by the governor,” she remarked.
The reality remains that not all families can afford private education—despite any state allotments—and many cannot access resources such as charter schools or afford to homeschool their children.
These limited options do not represent real choices for most Alaskans; instead, they create illusions of choice that fail to encompass the needs of the entire population.
Looking towards the future, there’s palpable concern among education advocates regarding the behavior of lawmakers who flip their support for education funding during critical votes. Last year, lawmakers who initially supported funding proposals ultimately reversed their positions, a betrayal that parents remember vividly.
Describing the ongoing situation as political gamesmanship, Blakeslee and other parents are adamant that education should be prioritized unequivocally.
“If lawmakers fail our students and communities again, we won’t forget who stood with us — and who didn’t,” she concluded.
image source from：https://www.adn.com/opinions/2025/04/16/opinion-in-alaska-we-see-whos-failing-our-kids-and-we-wont-forget/
