Governor Mike Dunleavy’s recent veto of an increase to school funding has reignited frustration among educators across Alaska, who express deep concern over the long-term implications for student resources and community support.
The veto, announced on Thursday, rejects the proposed House Bill 69 which aimed to boost the base student allocation by $1,000.
Dunleavy characterized the bill as too expensive and lacking necessary policies aimed at enhancing school choice and improving student performance.
In response, he has proposed a much smaller funding and policy package, setting the stage for continued tensions between the governor’s office and state lawmakers who have sought to address the educational funding crisis for years.
Frustration was palpable among school leaders statewide.
Kim Hansich, the superintendent of the Unalaska City School District, expressed disappointment with the governor’s decision, stating, “I think frustration is the word I’m going to choose here.”
Rick Dormer, principal of Ketchikan High School, echoed these sentiments, labeling the situation as “frustrating and a little bit confusing.”
Terri Walker, the superintendent for the Northwest Arctic Borough School District, emphasized that “It’s our students that are going to lose out.”
Walker, who oversees 12 schools in her district, described the vital role these institutions play in their communities, noting that schools are often used for various gatherings, including weddings and funerals.
“With the ongoing uncertainty around funding, our ability to serve as community hubs is at risk,” she cautioned.
Walker highlighted how rising costs are straining her budget, with utilities consuming at least 38% of funding.
“The cost of buying fuel, the electricity bill, and water and sewer has skyrocketed in recent years,” she said.
Although some one-time funding has been allocated in the past, the absence of a long-term financial solution leaves districts like hers navigating severe budget cuts, with questions looming over core programs and vital services for students.
In Fairbanks, Superintendent Luke Meinert foresees difficult choices ahead, indicating that even maintaining status quo funding would result in slashing staff and closing schools.
Meinert mentioned that Fairbanks has already endured devastating cuts, including the closure of seven schools last year, and anticipates that three elementary schools and 160 staff positions might face elimination in the coming year.
Local economic leaders are expressing alarm over the connection between educational funding and community stability.
Jomo Stewart, president of the Fairbanks Economic Development Corp., stated that a lack of investment in education jeopardizes the area’s economic future.
“If you have the choice of living in a place that has a high quality educational system or one that does not, you will choose the better one,” he warned.
Stewart’s organization reports troubling demographic trends: while Fairbanks experienced a slight population increase from 2019 to 2023 due to an influx of seniors, school enrollment has declined and fewer working-age adults and children reside in the area.
As educators await the repercussions of Dunleavy’s veto, Anchorage School District board president Andy Holleman articulated the anxiety surrounding the district’s funding.
Holleman remarked, “We’re starving a little bit, and there’s not much food on the table to begin with.”
The stalled negotiations have become a point of frustration, with Dunleavy shifting from previous discussions toward new proposals tied to policy reforms instead of straightforward funding increases.
Although Democrats in the Legislature desire to pass a stand-alone bill for increased funding, Dunleavy insists that any funding rise must coincide with reforms to enhance educational quality.
However, with the governor declaring a prior legislative version a “joke,” he effectively thwarted attempts to find common ground.
Many observers, including Holleman, are skeptical about the prospects for overriding the veto, given the narrow margins by which the original bill passed.
“There’s an understanding of confusion,” he remarked, summarizing the sentiments of various stakeholders.
In contrast, Dunleavy’s proposed plan includes an incremental funding increase and emphasizes new policies for charter schools and student assessment measures.
However, questions loom around the implementation and impact of these policies.
Deidre Jenson, superintendent in Sitka, raised concerns about the proposed funding model, pondering how districts would be assessed based on performance metrics.
She remarked, “It’s just, what does it mean?”
Compounding these uncertainties is the timing of funding allocation, as historical one-time boosts have often come too late for districts to adequately plan their budgets.
School leaders face the challenge of predicting funding amidst fluctuating political winds, leading to often speculative budgeting regarding future allocations.
As educators like Dormer implore policymakers to reimagine the approach to funding, the notion of comparing educational budgeting to the business sector arises.
“How can we justify running a business model that doesn’t allow for stable, predictable funding each year?” Dormer questioned, reflecting on his experiences in the corporate world.
With the legislative session narrowing, Dormer expressed urgency in achieving a collaborative solution, citing the deteriorating condition of school facilities as a pressing concern.
“We have leaky roofs and broken boilers. It’s just degrading,” he noted, urging leaders to prioritize educational investments to align with community expectations.
The repercussions of Dunleavy’s veto extend beyond fiscal constraints; they foster a climate of uncertainty concerning educational quality across Alaska, pushing school leaders to reassess their strategic plans against a backdrop of inadequate support.
As constituents look on, there remains hope that as the final days of the legislative session approach, some consensus can be reached to navigate this ongoing funding conundrum.
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