Alaska Schools Face Cuts, Parents Protest

0:00It's April 13, I'm Cory with the story, this is Anchorage News Today, driven by AI. In the Alaska House Finance Committee, Representative Jamie Allard proposed an amendment to House Bill 263 that would wipe out new inflation. Adjustment funding for schools, the original bill aimed to help districts keep up with rising costs, but Allard argued some schools just need to close. Her push failed by a close 5-6 vote. The funding bump was meant as a short-term fix, while pushing for bigger long-term increases to the base student allocation. Without it, districts like those in Anchorage face tough cuts right now. Parents and teachers in Eagle River and Chugiac are sounding the alarm, saying larger class sizes could turn classrooms into chaos, especially for young kids. They're already juggling cuts to nurses, counselors, sports, music, and shop classes that keep students engaged. The amendment went down thanks to reps like Elise Galvin and Nelly Jimmy, who heard please from families and school leaders.

1:02But the debate highlights ongoing budget pressures on education. As local voices keep pushing back, Alaska schools hang in the balance, waiting for real stability to protect kids' futures.