2024-03 School District, Federal & State News

Anchorage – After education bill veto override fails, major cuts to Anchorage schools back on table – Annie Berman, ADN

Anchorage – Voters to decide on Inlet View Elementary replacement, security upgrades on Anchorage school bond – Tim Rockey, Alaska Public Media

Anchorage – Junior-senior high school on Eielson Air Force Base will be closed for good – Jonathan Snyder, Stars and Stripes

Anchorage – ASD budget recommendations include closure of school, putting $28M in district funds toward deficit – Paul Choate, KTUU

Anchorage – OPINION: The impacts of Gov. Dunleavy’s education veto and next steps for Anchorage schools – Jharrett Bryantt and Margo Bellamy – ADN

Anchorage – OPINION: Fixing Alaska schools begins with overturning the education veto – Andy Holleman, ADN

Anchorage – Anchorage School District seeks to hire retired teachers to help fill hundreds of vacancies – Annie Berman, ADN

Anchorage –

OPINION: Alaska House Republicans endanger language immersion – Francis McLaughlin, Chantal de Alcuaz, Jessica Simonsen, Lara Nations, Megan Collie and Jason Bockenstedt

Anchorage – Anchorage teacher put on administrative leave after post by prominent right-wing social media account – Annie Berman, ADN

Anchorage – Anchorage voters asked to consider $62M school bond package – Lauren Maxwell, KTUU

Anchorage – Dimond High School employee placed on administrative leave, district says – Matthew Simon, KTUU

Anchorage – ASD passes it 2024-25 school year budget – Georgiana Fernandez, KTUU

Anchorage – Anchorage School Board reinstates most classroom budget cuts after passage of bipartisan education bill – Tim Rockey, Alaska Public Media

Cordova – The sixth graders of Cordova may be gearing up for a big change – Kasandra Kruithof, The Cordova Times

Dillingham – Following override fail, school district looks to tough budget choices – Riley Board, KDLL

Dillingham – How Dunleavy’s decision on the State’s education bill could impact Dillingham, Bristol Bay Borough – Christina McDermott, KDLG

Fairbanks – Ben Eielson Jr./Sr. High School to be closed this year – Robyne, KUAC

Fairbanks – School board approves recommended budget for next school year – Carter DeJong, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Fairbanks – School board discusses budget, school closures – Carter DeJong, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Fairbanks – Fairbanks reacts to Gov. Dunleavy’s veto of SB 140 – Adrian Peterson, KTVF Fairbanks

Fairbanks – School board to vote on closing Ticasuk Brown, Eielson Jr./Sr. High – Carter DeJong, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Fairbanks – School on Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks may be shuttered due to funding shortfall – Jonathan Snyder, Stars and Stripes

Fairbanks – How did the school district get into this budget mess? – Carter DeJong, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Fairbanks – Permanent principal named for North Pole Elementary – Staff, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Juneau – School board passes budget that cuts staff 12%, hopes for BSA increase that will save some jobs – Mark Sabbatini, Juneau Empire

Juneau – Juneau School Board decides to keep previously approved school closure plan – Katie Anastas, KTOO Juneau

Juneau – School board sticks with consolidation plan for one high school after eight-hour debate of two-school alternative – Mark Sabbatini, Juneau Empire

Juneau – Proposed school district budget for next year cuts 12% of employees, increases class sizes – Mark Sabbatini, Juneau Empire

Juneau – Juneau School Board to reconsider school closure plan – Katie Anastas, KTOO

Juneau – School board votes 4-3 to reconsider consolidation plan merging high and middle schools – Mark Sabbatini, Juneau Empire

Juneau – City approves funding to help close Juneau School District’s budget gap – Katie Anastas, KTOO

Juneau – Assembly approves $9.7M bailout package for school district – Mark Sabbatini, Juneau Empire

Kenai – Some KPBSD schools could benefit from internet bill passed by House, an additional six KPBSD schools would be eligible for the state’s grant program – Ashlyn O’Hara, Peninsula Clarion

Kenai – School district committee builds multiple budget scenarios amid uncertain state funding – Ashlyn O’Hara, Peninsula Clarion

Kenai – Education debate draws state attention to peninsula charter schools – Ashlyn O’Hara, Peninsula Clarion

Kenai – Students report mixed responses from lawmakers in education discussions – Delegates from the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District lobbied the Alaska Legislature for more state funding and other education priorities – Ashlyn O’Hara, ADN

Kenai – Borough, state at odds over best path forward for Kachemak Selo school – Ashlyn O’Hara, Homer News

Kenai – Seward custodial worker nominated for national award – Hunter Morrison, KDLL

Kenai – School board bets on state funding increase, issues teacher contracts – Ashlyn O’Hara, Peninsula Clarion

Kenai – Amid uncertain state school funding, KPBSD labors to assemble a budget plan – Ashlyn O’Hara, Homer News

Kenai – KPBSD revises proposed graduation adornment policy – Ashlyn O’Hara, Peninsula Clarion

Kenai – Amid uncertain state school funding, KPBSD labors to assemble a budget plan – Ashlyn O’Hara, Peninsula Clarion\

Ketchikan – Alaska Reads Act bears hidden costs; District estimates at least $800k – Sam Stockbridge, Ketchikan Daily News

Ketchikan – House Speaker Tilton explains votes on SB140, AMHOB with KDN during Ketchikan visit – Sam Stockbridge, Ketchikan Daily News

Ketchikan – Without BSA increase, Ketchikan schools expect 10% deficit – Michael Fanelli, KRBD

Ketchikan – Ketchikan considers renaming school. But who was the man behind the name? – Jack Darrell, KRBD

Kodiak – “I had a few tears” KIBSD faces another year of flat funding after Dunleavy vetoes education bill – Brian Venua, KMXT Kodiak

Kuspuk – As their public school deteriorates, Sleetmute residents worry their community isn’t far behind – Emily Schwing, KYUK Bethel

Lower Kuskokwim – From baking cakes to blasting off rockets, LKSD students share their science fair experiments – Gabby Salgado, MaryCait Dolan, Sage Smiley, KYUK

Mat-Su – Mat-Su schools face $30 million deficit unless state funding is increased, Supt. Trani says – Tim Bradner, Frontiersman

Mat-Su – 2 school funding bonds worth $85 million could be headed to Mat-Su voters – Amy Bushatz, ADN

Nome – Potential teacher layoffs spark community response – Anna Lionas, The Nome Nugget

Sitka – ‘Kids are not stupid’: Sitka board members warn of repercussions following gov’s veto of education bill – Robert Woolsey, KCAW.

Sitka – Seeking a new model of higher education, Sitka school draws from Alaska and national inspirations – Bryden Sweeney-Taylor, Alaska Beacon

Unalaska – Unalaska superintendent hopes Legislature’s education bill sticks – Sofia Stuart-Rasi, KUCB Unalaska

Unalaska – Unalaska elementary school to house fifth grade class starting next year – By Maggie Nelson, KUCB

Yupiit – Former Akiachak teacher sentenced to 86 years in prison for child sex abuse – Evan Erickson, KYUK

Alaska House education proposal reveals rifts and still-evolving policies – Sean Maguire and Iris Samuels, ADN

Dunleavy signs bill increasing internet speeds at many Alaska public schools – James Brooks, Alaska Beacon

Senate passes fast-tracked rural school broadband bill, Dunleavy promises quick signature – Eric Stone, Alaska Public Media

Rural internet bill approved by Alaska Senate; Gov. Dunleavy plans to sign it – Sean Maguire, Anchorage Daily News

House spending plan includes funding for experimental Alaska reading institute despite lawmakers’ misgivings – Iris Samuels, Anchorage Daily News –

$2,272 vs. $1,360 PFD debate develops as lawmakers draft operating budgets – Steve Kirch and Matthew Simon, KTUU

Legislature relaunches Alaska Children’s Caucus – Wesley Early, Alaska Public Media

Alaskans voice concern for parental, teacher rights bill – Haley Lehman, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Factoring in cost of living, Alaska teacher salaries not competitive compared to national average, UAA study finds – Annie Herman, ADN

Alaska House’s draft budget has a $2,272 dividend, $175 million in extra school funding – Sean Maguire, ADN

With hope fading for additional state education funding, Alaska’s rural school districts prepare to make difficult cuts – Annie Berman, Alena Naiden, ADN

To attract more teachers, lawmaker proposes repealing Alaska law that caps compensation for out-of-state experience – Claire Stremple, Alaska Beacon

AKLEG Day 67: ‘Establish and maintain’ – Matt Acuña Buxton, The Alaska Memo

OPINION: A devastating vote for rural schools – Robyn Burke, ADN

Alaska senators consider constitutional amendment easing some veto override votes – James Brooks, Alaska Beacon

Alaska Senate panel advances resolution to lower threshold for overriding governor’s budget vetoes – Iris Samuels, ADN

Murkowski Announces Significant Investments for Alaska in Final FY 2024 Appropriations Package – Press Release

Alaska House of Representatives Passes Midnight Bill to Secure Funding for Rural Schools – Sarah Swartz, KNOM

Alaska House passes rural-school internet bill on fast-track timeline after education veto – James Brooks, Alaska Beacon

House rushes to pass rural schools internet bill after veto of comprehensive education bill – Ashlyn O’Hara, Peninsula Clarion

After failed override vote, what’s next in the fight over Alaska education funding? – Eric Stone, Alaska Public Media

‘The ball is now very clearly in their court’ Senate looks to House on next steps for education funding – Ashlyn O’Hara, Peninsula Clarion

Time is running out for legislators to increase internet speeds for Alaska’s rural schools – Claire Stremple, Alaska Beacon

Alaska lawmakers see no clear path to a new school funding bill – Sean Maguire & Iris Samuels, ADN

No Alaska governor has ever so boldly held schools and students as political hostages – Larry Persily, Alaska Beacon

Legislature fails by a single vote of 39-20 to override Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of education bill – Mark Sabbatini, Juneau Empire

Alaska Legislature fails to override Dunleavy’s education veto – Eric Stone, Alaska Public Media

Juneau lawmakers fall 1 vote short of overriding governor’s education bill veto – Matthew Simon & Steve Kirch, KTUU

Alaska lawmakers fail by one vote to override Dunleavy veto of education bill – Sean Maguire & Iris Samuels, ADN

By 1 vote, lawmakers sustain Dunleavy veto of education bill. The bipartisan bill included $680 increase to per-student funding – Ashlyn O’Hara, Peninsula Clarion

By one vote, Alaska Legislature fails to override Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s education veto – Twenty Republicans side with the governor to kill permanent increase for public-school funding formula – James Brooks & Claire Stremple, Alaska Beacon

Lawmakers predict close education bill veto override vote – Joe Cadotte and Matthew Simon, KTUU

BSA bill offers hope for struggling schools statewide – Yarrow Silvers, The Alaska Current

Time is running out for legislators to increase internet speeds for Alaska’s rural schools – Claire Stremple, Alaska Beacon

Education funding standoff creates uncertainty as districts budget for next year – Claire Stremple, Kodiak Daily Mirror

In another unhinged news conference, Gov. Dunleavy tells legislators to ‘move on’ from school bill he vetoed – Matt Acuña Buxton, Alaska Current

Veto override vote on education bill expected to have consequences — and no assurance of extra funds. Retaliation by governor, fractured relationships within Legislature on other issues among concerns – Mark Sabbatini, Juneau Empire

Flaws found in study cited by Dunleavy claiming Alaska ranks second in adequately funding schools – “I’m definitely saying don’t take it at face value,” study’s co-author says – Mark Sabbatini, Juneau Empire

OPINION: Dunleavy stands in the way of Alaska’s education progress – Kevin McGee, ADN

AASB response to governor’s education bill concerns  – The Cordova Times

Association of Alaska School Boards’ Response to the Veto of SB 140 – Alaska Native News

OPINION: Legislators must perform their constitutional duty for education – Howard Trickey, ADN

OPINION: I’m voting to overturn Gov. Dunleavy’s education veto, and I hope my colleagues join me – Alyse Galvin, ADN

After veto, Gov. Dunleavy said he wants to move on from education bill, but vote on override looms – James Brooks and Claire Stremple, Alaska Beacon

Student athlete gender identity bill has first House committee hearing – Casandra Mancl, KTUU

Legislature relaunches Alaska Children’s Caucus – Wesley Early, Alaska Public Media

Alaska Legislature plans to vote Monday on overriding governor’s veto of education bill – Eric Stone, Alaska Public Media

Dunleavy vetoes bipartisan education bill. Senate Bill 140 passed the House by a vote of 38-2 and the Senate by a vote of 18-1 last month – Ashlyn O’Hara, Peninsula Clarion

‘We Have To Move On:’ Dunleavy explains education bill veto – Matthew Simon and Steve Kirch, KTUU

Lawmakers to vote Monday on overriding Dunleavy’s veto of education bill – Iris Samuels, Sean Maguire, ADN

There’s a good reason legislators didn’t rush to meet Gov. Dunleavy’s education demands – Matt Acuña Buxton, Alaska Current

In another unhinged news conference, Gov. Dunleavy tells legislators to ‘move on’ from school bill he vetoed – Matt Acuña Buxton, Alaska Current

Override vote coming, lawmakers say, after Dunleavy vetoes education bill – Steve Kirch and Matthew Simon, KTUU

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoes major public education funding increase – James Brooks, Alaska Beacon

No compromise between Alaska legislators and Gov. Dunleavy on day before education veto deadline – Claire Stremple, Alaska Beacon

New charter school bill emerges hours before Dunleavy’s veto deadline – Steve Kirch and Matthew Simon, KTUU

‘We don’t have an agreement’: All eyes on Dunleavy on the eve of education veto deadline – Sean Maguire, ADN

Alaska’s rural schools languish on capital improvement lists and an increase in Base Student Allocation won’t help – Emily Schwing, KYUK

AKLEG Day 56: ‘I don’t want to teach on the Titanic.’ Turns out there may have been a reason the governor was trying to rush everything through with little to no scrutiny – Matt Acuña Buxton, The Alaska Memo

Alaska House debuts new first-draft budget, but PFD and school funding are question marks – James Brooks, Alaska Beacon

Bipartisan Alaska education package in limbo with veto deadline fast approaching – Sean Maguire, Iris Samuels, ADN

Legislature kills most of Dunleavy’s executive orders in rare joint session. Giving governor full control of Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board among orders rejected – Ashlyn O’Hara, Peninsula Clarion

Alaska on-base school may be shuttered in May due to funding issues – Jonathan Snyder, Stars and Stripes

Should Alaska have more charter schools? The answer is yes and no – Rebecca Palsha

Alaska legislators balance widespread opposition to Dunleavy policy, veto threat as deadline nears – Claire Stremple, Alaska Beacon

Tight deadline for Legislature, governor in veto decision on education bill – Tim Bradner, Frontiersman

OPINION: Teacher bonuses won’t solve the real problems in Alaska schools – Frank Jeffries, ADN

Dunleavy seeks to remove decades-old boards overseeing Alaska parks – Iris Samuels, ADN

Alaska lawmakers to consider overturning 12 executive orders issued by Gov. Dunleavy – Iris Samuels, Sean Maguire, ADN

Disagreements between Alaska House Republicans stalled education work for three weeks – James Brooks, Alaska Beacon

New poll says Alaskans support ‘large’ education funding increase, child care bill, federal trawling ban – Eric Stone, Alaska Public Media

Mental health education bill backed by Senate; headed to the House – Georgina Fernandez, KTUU

Many Alaska charter school principals oppose Dunleavy’s plan for state approval option – Tim Rockey, Alaska Public Media

Lawmakers concerned Dunleavy’s PFD proposal could mean deficit spending – Steve Kirch, KTUU

Alaska is last in the nation at FAFSA completion, leaving millions in college aid on the table – Katie Anastas, KTOO

Alaska school administrators warn of serious consequences without a substantial funding boost – Sean Maguire, ADN

New legislation does not have to pass by Thursday education bill veto deadline, Dunleavy spokesperson says – Steve Kirch and Matthew Simon, KTUU

Alaska Senate OKs mental health education in schools bill – Claire Stremple, Alaska Beacon

Alaska Senate advances bill to add mental health classes to school curriculum – Sean Maguire, ADN

Education funding standoff creates uncertainty as districts budget for next year – Claire Stremple, Alaska Beacon

Legislative budgeters say Dunleavy’s proposed 2024 Permanent Fund dividend is a no-go – James Brooks, Alaska Beacon

With Dunleavy veto threat looming, lawmakers work toward common ground on education – Eric Stone, Alaska Public Media

Some lawmakers ‘really concerned’ Dunleavy education funding veto could still happen – Steve Kirch, KTUU

OPINION: Dunleavy is no authority on what’s best for schools – Tina DeLapp, ADN

Education funding standoff creates uncertainty as Alaska districts budget for next year. Class sizes, jobs and school closures hang in the balance – Claire Stremple, Alaska Beacon

Veto threat unresolved as legislative leaders meet with Dunleavy on education priorities – Sean Maguire, ADN

Senate hears support, concerns for proposal for school staff to carry handguns – Haley Lehman, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

OPINION: Charter-school boosterism could exacerbate Alaska’s student achievement gap – Larry Persily, ADN

Education bill veto threat is a disservice to students – Sarah Masterman, Ester, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

EDITORIAL: Should any governor get to wield this much power? – Anchorage Daily News editorial board

OPINION: Education bill provides a path forward for Anchorage schools – Margo Bellamy, Carl Jacobs and Kelly Lessens, ADN

Alaska’s education board sends a $500M wish list for construction and maintenance to lawmakers – Claire Stremple, Alaska Beacon