OPINION: Dunleavy’s budget falls short of what Alaska schools need to succeed

On Thursday, Gov. Mike Dunleavy released the State of Alaska’s fiscal year 2025 budget. While I appreciate the governor’s desire to create a balanced budget and manage state resources prudently, I am disappointed in the lack of emphasis placed on education funding. His budget contained no increase to the BSA, which has not been adjusted since 2017, and does not address the numerous challenges faced by districts across Alaska.

Underfunding of public education in our state is reaching crisis levels. Districts across Alaska are struggling to attract and retain teachers and classroom support positions due to wages and benefits that cannot compete with those offered in the Lower 48. This directly results in lower student outcomes and larger class sizes. ASD has hundreds of open positions that it struggles to fill because of how prospective educators view current conditions of the profession in Alaska.

For example, the last time ASD was forced to issue layoff notices to teachers, one-third of those certificated professionals left Alaska altogether — taking with them their talents and families. This is how a community fails. I know we can and must do better.

The quality of education that districts are able to provide is being eroded by inflation and the state shirking its constitutionally mandated duty to maintain a system of schools that thrives. ASD is doing its part to produce a balanced budget for FY 2025. However, the choices we are faced with making will likely result in larger class sizes and fewer programs for students.

It is my hope we can reverse the current trends and show the nation that Alaska values public education and children of our future. Communities that invest in education are those that thrive and grow, and that is what I want for Anchorage.

Jharrett Bryantt, Ed.D., is the superintendent of the Anchorage School District.

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