Education is a proven path out of poverty. Yet many years of zero increase to the Base Student Allocation has contributed to the achievement gap and seriously hinders the success of many minority, rural, and urban students.
A near-unanimous majority of legislators voted to pass the $680 increase to the BSA. It was their commitment to students; I see this as their support to override a governor’s veto of education bill SB140.
School districts are proud of their progress and are extremely concerned about how the schools can maintain the classroom progress they have achieved without continued funding. Funding outside of the BSA helps, but it’s not reliable from year to year and only covers basic classroom funding at best.
We are not asking for an increase for frills, but are asking for an increase for the essentials, keeping teachers and covering the day-to-day expenses necessary for materials needed for learning.
An increase in the BSA is an investment in education, which will help districts continue to make advancements in education for our students and Alaska’s future workforce.
— Charlene Arneson
Former 22-year member of the Chugach School District school board, retired
Whittier
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