Alaska Legislature could vote soon on $700 per-student funding increase with ‘compromise’ education reforms added, lawmakers say

With state funding still uncertain, Sitka School Board rolls back staff cuts for next year

Sitka School Board members were satisfied with the efforts of district Business Manager Kathrynn Hollis-Buchanan and Superintendent Deidre Jenson (seated at left) in revising next year’s budget to minimize staff cuts. But much remains up in the air, including the exact amount of the increase — if any — in state funding next year. Next to Jenson is board president Phil Burdick, and members Tom Williams, Steve Morse, Paul Rioux, and executive admi…

Alaska Senate plans to vote Monday on new education bill with $700 funding boost

Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, center, huddles with fellow co-chairs of the Senate Finance Committee — Sen. Donny Olson, D-Golovin, left, and Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel — during a committee meeting on April 24, 2025. (Eric Stone/Alaska Public Media) The Alaska Senate is planning to vote Monday on a new education funding bill, even as Gov. Dunleavy is calling for changes. That’s after a state Senate committee approved a new version of a bill calli…

Alaska Senate committee advances education bill, with per-student formula boost and policy changes

Members of the Alaska Senate gather before a floor session on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)With school funding still uncertain, and less than a month to go in the Alaska legislative session, the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday advanced a reworked bill that would increase the base of the state’s funding formula by $700 per student. Members of the committee also included some policy proposals suggested by Go…

Alaska Legislature could vote soon on $700 per-student funding increase with ‘compromise’ education reforms added, lawmakers say

Gov. Mike Dunleavy has already signaled his opposition to the new education measure unless his policy priorities are added.

Alaska Senate committee proposes $700 per-student school funding formula increase

Five days after Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoed a major increase to Alaska’s per-student public school funding formula, a Senate committee has proposed a smaller increase.