Alaska Lawmakers Boost School Funding by $158M

0:00This is Cory with the story. Here, with your quick two-minute update from Anchorage News today. Alaska lawmakers are pushing House Bill 374 to boost funding for public schools. The bill would raise the base student allocation by $630 per student, taking it from $6,660 to $7,290. That adds up to $158,600,000 more for schools next year. This comes after last year's big funding increase, which followed heated debates, three vetoes by Governor Mike Dunlevy, and two legislative. Overrides. Sponsors base the new amount on budget shortfalls in the state's largest districts, like Anchorage and Fairbanks, where schools face cuts to. Teachers, bigger classes, and even closures. At a House Education Committee hearing on March 11, dozens of students, parents, teachers, and superintendents spoke up strongly in favor. No one opposed the bill. Kids shared stories of

1:00losing programs, sports, art classes, and facing 40 or more kids per classroom, while families worry about crumbling, buildings, and lost opportunities. Superintendents from places like Kodiak highlighted tough choices ahead, including cuts to counseling, special education, and possibly more school. Closures by 2027 or 2028. They stress that funding hasn't kept pace with rising costs, like inflation, transportation, and new reading laws. The committee is now reviewing the bill, and with forecasts of higher oil prices from global tensions, boosting state revenues, House leaders are, talking about even more school spending in the weeks ahead. This DNN story is thanks to our sponsor details in the description. Your favorite podcasts, music, or sleep sounds coming from your pillow. No ear buds, no distractions. Just listen and relax. S-O-L-I-SoliPillow.com.