Alaska Lawmakers Boost School Funding by $158M

On March 17th, here's the latest out of Anchorage.

Alaska lawmakers are pushing House Bill 374 to boost funding for public schools.

The plan would raise the base student allocation by $630 per student, lifting it from $6660

to $7,290.

That adds up to $158,600,000 more for schools next year.

This comes right after last year's big funding jump, which followed a tough fight with the

governor's 3B toes and two legislative overrides.

Sponsors base the new amount on budget shortfalls in the state's five biggest districts,

like Anchorage and Fairbanks, where schools face cuts to, teachers, bigger classes, and

even closures.

Earlier this week, dozens of students, parents, teachers, and superintendents testified before

the House Education Committee for two hours.

Everyone supported the bill, with no one speaking against it.

Kids shared stories of losing programs like art, music, and sports, plus fears of 40 student

classrooms.

Superintendents from places like Kodiak highlighted ongoing cuts to counseling, special education,

and maintenance, warning of more school closures, without help.

They stressed that inflation has outpaced funding, leaving no room for more belt tightening.

The committee is now reviewing the bill, and with four casts of higher oil prices from

global tensions boosting state revenues, House leaders are, talking about even more school

spending in the weeks ahead.

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