School superintendents across Alaska are breathing a sigh of relief following the historic override of Governor Mike Dunleavy’s veto on House Bill 57, which introduces a long-awaited increase in school funding. The new legislation is expected to provide an additional $184 million annually for the state’s 53 school districts through a 12% boost in the Base Student Allocation (BSA), a crucial component of the state’s funding formula for education.
Despite the optimism surrounding this funding increase, school administrators express growing concerns over the adequacy of this boost in light of the rising costs and inflation that have troubled the sector for nearly a decade. Many, especially in rural and underserved communities, highlight that the current increase still falls short of addressing the financial challenges they have faced in previous years.
Superintendent Randy Trani of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District articulated the sentiments shared across the state, noting that while the BSA boost is appreciated, it is still viewed as a step backward when factoring in overall costs. “When you account for all the costs, we’re going backwards under House Bill 57,” he argued, emphasizing that the district has already been forced to make extensive cuts due to previous funding stagnation.
In the current fiscal landscape, the Matanuska-Susitna district has slashed funding to educational programs that have proven successful, including the 4Cs program aimed at helping struggling high school students achieve graduation.
With the approved funding, districts like Kenai Peninsula have informed their communities of impending cuts, with dozens of positions on the chopping block despite the funding increase. The situation is equally precarious across urban districts in Anchorage and Fairbanks, where administrators find themselves in a limbo, preparing for cuts from an uncertain budget.
Recently, Anchorage school leaders had to reverse cuts to various programs based on optimistic projections of funding increases. Should the governor decide to exercise his line-item veto power, these carefully crafted plans would be thrown into chaos.
Clayton Holland from the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District echoed the concern, noting that his district assumed steady funding while planning the budget. “The funding in HB 57 is preventing us from basically having a fire sale on everything,” he remarked, indicating the dire situation local districts face. With 116 positions still set to be cut, every dollar allocated is paramount.
Fairbanks Superintendent Luke Meinert described the extreme difficulty his district faces after making $16 million in cuts, leading to the closure of three schools and increased class sizes. He warned that further cuts would jeopardize educational quality in the district, representing a dire threat to students’ futures.
Conversely, in less urban settings, such as Kodiak and Tok, localized districts anticipate significantly different outcomes from the funding increase. Cyndy Mika, superintendent of Kodiak schools, greeted the $3.4 million boost as a lifeline, yet cautioned against viewing it as comprehensive relief, asserting it will not save the district from the ongoing cuts witnessed over the years.
The Alaska Gateway School District, too, shares the struggle, with Superintendent Patrick Mayer indicating that while the $700 BSA boost could equate to an additional million dollars in revenue, it still does not allow for significant improvements, only the maintenance of current staffing levels and programs.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Yupiit School District in Akiachak stands at a critical juncture. Superintendent Scott Ballard conveyed the stark reality faced by the district: without the $700 BSA increase, layoffs would be inevitable, putting student safety at risk with less capacity for essential repairs and maintenance. He articulated the absurdity of holding schools accountable for declining outcomes without adequate funding to facilitate necessary educational improvements.
The overall sentiment in the Alaska education landscape is one of cautious optimism coupled with a significant apprehension toward the governor’s potential budget cuts. The legislature’s recent action represents a monumental step after years of stagnation, yet the challenges of declining academic performance, high inflation, and rising operational costs present a relentless challenge.
As Alaska enters a new phase in school funding, the stability provided by the hydrogen-approved BSA increase in HB 57 is critical. Yet schools remain concerned about future funding cuts and the unpredictable nature of state finances, which have been exacerbated by diminished oil revenues. The hope is to keep the funding that was desperately needed and avoid further cuts that could devastate educational institutions across the state.
Superintendents across the state, including those in large urban centers to rural districts, have emphasized the need for predictable and reliable funding that keeps pace with inflation and operational costs, affirming their stance that any further reductions would be devastating.
Legislators have rallied around the overriding vote as a historical milestone, showcasing bipartisan support for education funding. Lisa Parady, the executive director of the Alaska Council of School Administrators, noted the collective relief felt among superintendents and the appreciation for the stability that this funding bill represents.
The path ahead for Alaska’s educational institutions remains fraught with uncertainty as Governor Dunleavy deliberates on his potential vetoes and considers the broader fiscal implications of the state’s budget amid declining oil revenues. While the recent funding increase is a welcome change, educators remain vigilant and concerned about their ability to provide quality education amidst ongoing financial uncertainties.
In a state where educational outcomes have lagged significantly behind national averages for years, the narrative among superintendents illustrates an urgent and ongoing struggle to not only obtain adequate funding but to ensure a broad array of educational programs that serve the diverse needs of Alaska’s students.
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