A new education funding bill is headed to the governor’s desk after clearing both the House and Senate with strong bipartisan backing on Wednesday. House Bill 57 includes a $700 increase to the Base Student Allocation—Alaska’s per-student funding formula—and adds targeted policy changes aimed at addressing concerns raised by Governor Mike Dunleavy during the last veto.
It’s the second time this session that lawmakers have passed a BSA increase of this size. The governor vetoed the first bill, HB 69, last month, citing the lack of structural reforms. HB 57 attempts to bridge that divide, combining the same $700 funding hike with several changes to public school policy.
“This bill does not fully reverse years of cuts, but it does provide stability and avoids further layoffs going into next school year,” said Rep. Zack Fields (D-Anchorage), who sponsored the bill.
In addition to the BSA increase, the bill adds $14.4 million for correspondence programs and increases transportation funding. Several policy provisions were also negotiated into the final version, including:
- Charter school changes allowing year-round application submissions, faster appeal decisions, and more transparency in non-renewal decisions.
- New classroom size guidelines, with districts required to adopt average class size targets (generally no more than 23 students for PreK–6 and 30 students for grades 7–12), and report them to the state.
- Cellphone restrictions, prohibiting student phone use during the school day unless a district adopts an alternative policy.
- Support for reading and career education, including reading incentive grants and more funding for vocational and technical instruction (both tied to the passage of separate legislation).
- An education task force, established to bring back new funding and accountability recommendations next session.
“In the wake of the HB 69 veto, the legislature has renewed its efforts to address the deepening crisis in Alaska’s schools,” said Rep. Maxine Dibert (D-Fairbanks). “Districts, starved for resources, are making painful cuts—canceling programs, laying off staff, and falling short of meeting our constitutional obligation.”
The final vote in the House was 31–8. In the Senate, it passed 17–3.
“Thirty-one representatives and seventeen senators worked together to find a compromise that takes into consideration the fiscal realities facing the state and advances policy measures to help strengthen all of our schools going forward,” said Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon (I-Dillingham).
Lawmakers and education advocates are now urging Governor Dunleavy to sign the bill quickly, warning that districts are already preparing next year’s budgets.
“HB 57 moves the needle forward on funding and reforms in a meaningful way, and I implore the governor to sign the bill as soon as it hits his desk,” said Rep. Louise Stutes (R-Kodiak). “Our constituents deserve nothing less.”