Legislature approves large increase in school funding formula

Legislature approves large increase in school funding formula

For the third time in two years, the Alaska Legislature has approved a bill to increase long-term state funding for the state's K-12 public schools. On April 30, the state Senate voted 17-3 and the House voted 31-8 to approve House Bill 57, which would permanently increase the base student allocation, the core of the state's per-student funding formula, by $700 per student, almost 12%,...

Potential increase in state funding provides hope to districts

By Anna Lionas It’s coming down to the wire to get Alaska schools the meaningful increase to education funding districts have been asking for, with just over two weeks left in the regular legislative session. Last week, the Alaska Legislature passed a compromise education bill that increased the base per-student funding formula by $700, among other policy provisions. Now it’s in the Governor’s hands. The policy in the bill is what might allow it…

Sen. Hughes weighs in on hated PFD scheme, school funding bill, Alaska’s dire fiscal reality

The following column is excepted from Sen. Shelley Hughes’ (R-Palmer) May 5 email to constituents. It addresses controversial PFD proposals, a less than ideal school funding bill, and the dire fiscal reality that the state now faces after years of irresponsible spending.