The Alaska Superintendents Association issued a formal statement after meeting with Gov. Mike Dunleavy. The superintendents publicly urged the governor to not veto House Bill 57, legislation that he has indicated he plans to veto because it contains none of the education reforms he has asked for.
House Bill 57 is spending for schools without any real expectation from the schools for improving results.
The letter emphasized a unified stance among superintendents in support of HB 57, a bill that started out as a ban on cell phones in schools, but which became the Legislature’s vehicle for funding schools at a much higher rate.
Gov. Dunleavy informed superintendents during the meeting that he intends to veto HB 57 unless two policy provisions are included: Open enrollment between school districts and additional charter school expansion measures.
He also raised concerns over literacy incentive funding being tied to a separate bill, Senate Bill 113, indicating a preference for those funds to be handled independently. SB 113 is the tax on internet businesses.
The superintendents also praised the Legislature for the quick passage of SB 113, the Etsy Tax, which raced through the House and Senate with no analysis.
Valley Republican Women of Alaska responded to the unfolding drama by posting a clever meme showing Gov. Dunleavy with a big veto stamp in his hand, shown above on this page. Soon, other Republican women’s clubs around the state were sharing the same meme.
Rep. Jamie Allard also posted a meme on Facebook.
In the Must Read Alaska newsletter, the Question of the Week survey asked readers if they think the governor should veto HB 57. The response was 89% “Yes” from 640 participants in the three-day poll of Alaska conservative activists:
Yes. The people actually responsible for our children’s instruction rejected Dunleavy’s war on public education, and made it clear that if Dunleavy wants public education cut, Republicans will get just that and can face the music about no athletics, no charter school or home school support, no open parking lots, at the next election. If Dunleavy wants to play chicken with the future of Alaska, bring it on.
School superintendents are not responsible for our children’s instruction, they are responsible for managing and administrating the business of the school district.
Actually, they rejected not getting fuller wallets. All they want is the money, they don’t care about the measurables and accountability. Look no further than how much money actually gets to the student in the classroom, about 4%.
I find it strange that information and education is far more accessible now than ever before, yet schools need more and more money every year and the kids still aren’t getting educated. Ever go to a walmart and try to get help from someone there? The teenagers can’t even operate the cash register properly in some cases. Something is terribly wrong with the minds of many and more money is not going to solve it. Something different must be done!
On a very large and expensive scale, the people you claim to be responsible for public education in our state have failed at every turn.
Teachers I’ve talked to know better than the superintendents. Clearly.
Of course they going to want the governor to sign the union’s tax and spend BS bill. They won’t have to make any improvements to the quality of the children’s education. More money and same sh///y results. Please governor, veto this BS.
How many state taxes are you paying Andrew?
Erickson, In Alaska, property taxes are a significant source of funding for local governments, including schools. Not to mention fuel, and sales tax. Don’t be fooled, we are taxed!
How much $ do you want to pay for NOTHING in return?
Doncha hate it when democracy doesn’t provide you the result you hoped for?
Dunleavy, you lost. Now get over it.
What democracy? This is oligarchy.
I think we have too much admin for school districts. How many people does it take to run a school district? Each has a title and a job description, I assume, but WHY are there ~100 cars parked at the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District admin building daily? We have a management problem. We have a structural problem. We have a union problem. And Johnny can’t read.
Money can’t fix stupid.
You should see the number of cars at the Anchorage school district building!
“House Bill 57 is spending for schools without any real expectation from the schools for improving results.”
Dunleavy wants school choice and due process for charter schools. Neither are a real expectation for improving academic results…merely policy changes.
I find it hard to believe that these two changes will make a significant impact across Alaskan school districts.
Maybe the administration should consider REAL solutions.
Real solutions would include accountability, less admin, money going more directly where needed, and unions making some changes, including teachers getting merit-based raises.
We need a DOGE department to investigate the Alaska Education system. I am 100% sure they will find millions in fraud. Time for accountability. Sad that the state has done such a poor job educating our children at such an exorbitant cost to tax payers.
I was literally just going to say that but ya beat me to it Tim!👍 DOGE needs to investigate!
Did you know that we pay over three times the amount per inmate as we do per student?
It is $71370 per inmate while only $20100 per student.
It is sad that criminals are better taken care of than our students
Absolute veto! The governor gets the final say. We elected Dunleavy to do this. Full statutory PFD, governor. $3900 for EVERY Alaskan.
The days of the gold plated fixture for their offices are over when students who are handed out diplomas struggle with reading a tape measure on the job site.
It just doesnt get any simpler than literacy.
That is not too much to ask for and they have been on a downward path for years.
Do it, just do it! VETO HB 57, Governor! The Legislature is trying to sell you a pig with lipstick.
Not surprised that the (D)ems are filling the trough and then lining up to slop from it. Also not surprised that RINOs are not going full scorched earth on them since many have decided they want to caucus with the (D)ems and not be the Republicans for which their constituents voted. The only winner here will be the NEA-AFT. Not much of the increases will reach the students and be converted into higher test scores and achievement.