The Republican-led House Rules Committee on Saturday advanced an education bill to the house floor which comes with moderate teacher bonuses and only a $300 increase to the base student allocation (BSA) despite school districts, across the state facing large deficits, pleading for substantially more.
Not only have school districts and local governments asked for a larger increase (the Anchorage School District has asked for more than a $1,000 bump), but more than five hours of public testimony dominated the committee meeting Saturday, the vast majority of which asked committee members to focus on a larger increase to the BSA. Instead, the bill focuses more on teacher bonuses, which constitute approximately $58 million of its provisions, increasing the number of charter schools in Alaska, beefing up homeschool funding with at least $23 million designated for homeschooled students, and an estimated $40 million set aside for increasing internet speeds across the state.
The committee room was packed to overflowing with parents and teachers from all over Alaska who came to object to the bill. A line of those who wished to testify stretched out the committee room door and down the hallway. For more than five hours public testimony was given, which overwhelmingly objected to the bill’s content, particularly the $300 base student allocation increase.
Some teachers even testified that they would gladly forego a bonus in favor of a larger BSA increase, which they believe will increase teacher retention in the state and alleviate the burden many educators face due to the rapid turnover of school staff.
Education funding continues to headline the current legislative session. In a joint House and Senate session last week, legislators failed to override Governor Mike Dunleavy’s veto of half of the one-time funds passed by the legislature for schools last year. Senator Jesse Bjorkman of Nikiski, who was one of those who voted to uphold the veto, said the focus on education funding needs to took at what is ahead, not what is behind.
“I’m looking forward,” said Bjorkman in a prepared statement. “I did not want veto fights every year, and we’ll be working with my fellow legislators and Governor Dunleavy for a BSA increase that works for students. And as part of a balanced budget. It’s important that K12 funding is inside of the BSA formula so that districts will know what funding to expect and can budget accordingly. BSA increases need to be made in consideration of accountability measures so that we can ensure additional funding is improving outcomes.”
Legislators will continue to meeting in session this week.