By REP. SARAH VANCE
As your representative, I want to cut through the confusion surrounding education funding. You deserve the truth. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of misinformation out there—some of it intentional, some due to misunderstanding. Either way, I want to set the record straight.
I understand the concerns of parents who want the best education for their children. Every parent hopes to see their child thrive academically and have the opportunities they need for a bright future—I want that for my own children, too. We must find a way to achieve this. Quality education is essential, and with smart choices and meaningful reforms, we can make it a reality for every Alaskan child.
Last year, we debated increasing the Base Student Allocation (BSA) in the Foundation Funding formula. The governor vetoed a bill that proposed a $680 increase because it did not include the necessary reforms to improve education outcomes for Alaskans—I supported that veto.
However, I worked with my colleagues in the Republican Majority to pass a balanced budget with the largest education funding increase in Alaska’s history, which included transportation funding and $175 million as a one-time BSA increase of $680.00—the amount in the bill that was vetoed.
This year, I am open to supporting additional educational funding and raising the BSA—but only if it comes with real reforms and accountability. Simply throwing more money at a broken system is not the answer. We owe it to parents and students to ensure every dollar is spent effectively.
The question isn’t just how much we’re spending but whether we’re getting the best results for our investment. Despite significant funding, Alaska’s public schools continue to struggle. In 2024, Alaska’s fourth and eighth-grade students showed no significant progress in reading and math compared to two years ago, according to “The Nation’s Report Card.” Our students ranked 51st out of 53 U.S. jurisdictions in three of four categories, continuing a downward trend over the last 20 years. This is unacceptable.
Education is about educating our kids—our future. The institutions and activities are tools to achieve that goal, but they are not the goal. I hear the concerns of parents who want better resources and a safe learning environment for their children. I share those goals, and that’s why I’m advocating for meaningful reforms and accountability. Alaskans deserve to know: Are we getting the best outcomes for the money we spend? What reforms will actually improve student achievement? We cannot spend our way out of this crisis.
Alaska’s fiscal outlook is challenging. In the 2025 fiscal year, we’re facing a $987 million deficit within a $14.1 billion budget. By 2026, that deficit is projected to grow to $1.5 billion out of a $16.8 billion budget. Some suggest covering these shortfalls by drawing from our savings accounts, but that is not a sustainable solution. Declining oil production and prices have severely impacted our revenues, and while the state is doing what it can to control costs, we must acknowledge our financial limits.
Right now, Alaska spends more on K-12 education as a percentage of taxpayer income than any other state, with per-student spending ranked sixth highest in the nation at $22,000. In total, we’re spending $2.88 billion annually on public education—equivalent to 5.35% of taxpayer income. Despite this significant investment, our schools are facing financial challenges, with current spending exceeding funding by $106.1 million, or about $810 per student. The proposed education funding plan would add an additional $1.4 billion to the state budget over the next three years, with automatic increases tied to inflation.
In my district, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD) spends approximately $18,744 per student to educate its 8,500 students and is facing a $17 million budget deficit. This is unsustainable. The district is confronted with difficult choices, including the potential consolidation of some schools. I understand that parents are concerned about the impact this could have on their communities—I share those concerns.
School funding is based on a “Foundation Funding” formula set in statute, which includes a Base Student Allocation (BSA) that districts receive annually per student. Each year, the legislature fully funds the BSA, giving districts a reliable amount to budget around. However, uncertainty arises from one-time funds, like those allocated last year. While these additional funds provide temporary relief, districts should not depend on them when making long-term financial plans.
These decisions directly impact your family—especially when it comes to potential cuts to the Permanent Fund dividend (PFD) and the possibility of new taxes. Some are arguing that we can solve our education challenges by imposing substantial new taxes or further cutting the PFD. I strongly disagree. Alaskans are rightly proud of their PFD, and I am committed to protecting it.
Without meaningful reform, however, the proposed education spending increases would eliminate the PFD altogether and still leave a budget deficit. To be honest—if we continue to increase spending without accountability, new taxes will be inevitable. That’s just how the math works.
Life is expensive right now. For many families, the PFD check is not just a bonus; it’s a lifeline. It may be what allows them to catch up on rent, make necessary car repairs, or fill their pantries. That is their money, their dividend as joint owners of the state’s interests and investments, and taking that relief out of their hands is not an acceptable option.
New taxes would also dampen our economy by reducing disposable income for families and increasing operating costs for businesses. This would lead to decreased consumer spending, slower economic growth, and could even drive businesses to relocate to more tax-friendly states.
At a time when Alaska’s economy is already facing significant challenges, imposing new taxes would only make things worse.
These are not easy conversations, but they are necessary. We must strike a balance—investing in our children’s future while safeguarding the financial well-being of Alaskan families. This is about more than numbers on a budget sheet; it’s about the future of our state and our children.
I am committed to working with parents, educators, and community leaders to find solutions that prioritize student achievement and fiscal responsibility. I want to hear your concerns and ideas, and I encourage every Alaskan to stay informed and engaged. Together, we can make a real difference.
I am ready to do the hard work of finding solutions that make a real impact. Let’s work togetherto ensure Alaska’s future remains bright for generations to come.
Rep. Sarah Vance serves in the Alaska House of Representatives for House District 6.
I like the Milei/Trump approach. Time for the chainsaw, not more money for an already bloated budget for an angry, obtuse education industry. This is especially so for the University of Alaska system. Slash their appropriation by at least 50%.
I agree Reggie money should be directly tied to improved outcomes in literacy with no money allowed for DEI training just teach reading writing and arithmetic. Maybe constitution and US history courses too,
I AGREE WITH YOU REGGIE.
The math is simple, the CPI has increased about 24% since the BSA was last adjusted. Our school kids are being short changed
Yes by a broken education system. How exactly will more money improve our schools? It won’t, paying for more administration is not.the answer. Why is it always the teachers who are fired? Why not over staffing in the office first.
I remember back many years ago in San Francisco the Catholic schools had 40,000 students and 2 principals where we think we need one princiale and an assistant for each school. We should start cutting there.
By the incredibly poor quality of education they are given.
You equate more money with better educated students. This is a falsehood pushed by the teachers unions.
We need to be cutting BSA not increasing it. Force the school districts eliminate layers of useless administrators, close underutilized schools, etc.
We have been increasing the money for schools regularly for decades, but the students are graduating with worse scores.
Perhaps money is not the issue.
Everybody is avoiding the 800# elephant in the room. That elephant is the curriculum choices taught across the spectrum of public education. For the most part, teachers of today were raised on the same failed curriculum in reading of “Whole Language” or picture reading, if you choose. The bases of these curriculum revolve around the child being or not being “Ready”. IF not today, maybe tomorrow, but if not, pass the child along as a potential reader next year. A formula for failure as if the child is not reading at grade level exiting the third grade (learning to read) entering the fourth grade, (Reading to learn) will struggle or fail.
Solution: Introduce a structured phonic curriculum where repetition and sounding will soon within that K-3 age grouping produce the progress that will serve to produce so much improved academic results.
Were you to research schools, private,or charter for success one that would give you incentive to champion in discussions would be:
‘https://k12.hillsdale.edu/Curriculum/Overview/
Access it and review the curriculum, then wonder why Alaska public schools are captive of poor classroom curriculum, often favored by educators due their ease and lack of structure.
This said as all the conversation about “Improvement” never has any example of the current “Poor” curriculum being exposed with the introduction of established result proven models.
We will never see improvement doing the same thing over and over and over again with the same poor outcome. Money is not the problem with poor academic results, it is the system ignoring their failure and bent on defeating any outside efforts to introduce rewarding curriculum..
Cheers, A.M (Al) Johnson- Ketchikan (Recalled School board member for this level of effort) Alaska
Not another penny more until we revamp the entire system, after we see how much the Feds are going to cut when they eliminate the Department of Education.
53 Districts cut too ten or less, eliminate the duplicity of failed administrators.
Then hit the hit the States single largest section of employment, the university. We only need one chancellor and one board of regents…
Flat fund them all.
Alaskan politicians do not get it. The government school system in Alaska is broken and throwing more money into it will not result in a better outcome.
Why are charter schools and homeschoolers running so far ahead? Their mission is about educating students opposed to the unions taking more money from the taxpayer to accrue more power – with educating students a mere afterthought at best. The outcomes of the unions speak for themselves. They union bosses, politicians and useful idiots who run this grift are awful people. Call them out.
So, we’re paying $22,000 per student NOW?!? And they want more? This is insane! As a single parent, I raised my three kids on about $40,000 per year. If as a parent, I’d been provided $66,000 for my three kid’s education, I believe I could pay for the best private tutor in town! So, working six hours a day, to teach three kids? What private tutor wouldn’t jump at the chance? Honestly, people! At what point do we stop accepting this insanity, and demand changes?
A note to Sarah Vance. If you keep increasing funding, you are rewarding incompetence.
Any rewarding this incompetence you tell the educational industrial complex you are ok with status quo.
You should know this.
It’s time to seriously consider consolidating some of Alaska’s 50+ school districts, many of which have less than 100 students. Molly Hootch has done more harm than good (a school in every small village). In a very small school (10-15 students) a single teacher must teach several subjects, some which s/he may not be qualified to teach.
Rep. Vance. What is the difference in a cut to your dividend or a state tax. that you state you state, “These decisions directly impact your family—especially when it comes to potential cuts to the Permanent Fund dividend (PFD) and the possibility of new taxes.” Also “by imposing substantial new taxes or further cutting the PFD.” Government taking money from its people, that they have earn or was owed to them. Is a TAX!
Secondly, you state. “their/our dividend as joint owners of the state’s interests and investments, and taking that relief out of their hands is not an acceptable option.” Taxing the personal PFD’s is not and option (your words). By your own op-ed, there are only two options left. How much is the new state tax going to be? Or how much are you going to cut school funding?
Good discussion!
The pride of a secondary school is not in diplomas rather alumni bragging career accomplishment!
The pride of elementary and middle schools are to prepare students based on neurological development capability with effective proven tactile curriculum with students who can read by 3rd grade and do pragmatic math.
The pride of Alaskan families is to have their next generation trade job certified ready at 17 or 18 and professionally ready to graduate college by 20 so they can be financially secure and be able to support their elders.
The pride of Alaska government is to make priority of educational policy expecting outcomes toward long range economic security of its residents and state security.
Require:
– DEED student count at least twice a year
– mimic effective curriculum in less than functioning schools
– allow the state DEED to charter and homeschool if denied at a district level
– the state take ownership of campuses which are being “moth balled” by districts yet paid for by Alaskans so any other educational institution can lease them from the state to provide school choice options
“Right now, Alaska spends more on K-12 education as a percentage of taxpayer income than any other state”
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Right here is where the problem is defined. There needs to be defined, demonstrated, improvements before any increases in funding.
Force communities in the unorganized borough to create class 2 cities and fund their own school districts
Force the Anchorage school district to become an English language only institution
Do those two things and then we can hear about how tough it is to get test scores increased with a $50000 per student funding allocation
It is somewhat misleading decrying the cost per student spent in Alaska schools – it just costs more here, period. BSA funding is also misleading, especially with declining student population. Commentators above have some good ideas, but are missing an important point: Teachers are the most under-appreciated and under-paid profession in the nation. Teachers need significant pay raises. The BSA can’t do this, no matter how we fund it. Throwing more money at school districts will not do a thing but increase spending – on everything but teachers. (Oh Yeah, teachers needing a raise is a great fundraising lever…) Only huge cuts to administration and consolidations and school closings can accomplish what is needed. Yes, we need to make big changes to curricula and eliminate most frills. Get cell phones and special interest groups out of the schools. But only eliminating 2/3 or more of the admin costs will let us balance school budgets.
The future of Alaska public education will be home schooling & education vouchers. Unfortunately, for a lot of low achieving adults, the public education jobs program is coming to an end!
How much money has Rep. Sarah Vance received from the teacher unions? Why does she brag that she balances the budget when she takes our PFD to do it. If Alaska expects to have a nearly one billion dollar shortfall in FY 2025, why is she OK with increasing the FY 2026 budget by nearly 2 billion dollars? Rep Vance is the problem, not the solution. Nowhere does she explain why her special interest group needs more money. The entire state needs a DOGE audit with referrals to a grand jury.
Instead of adding more money to the pot we should cut unnecessary programs to concentrate on the basics. Unfortunately schools have become day camps for children where sports and extracurricular activities seem more important than basic literacy, math, science, technology, etc. it actually takes very little to teach someone these things …if they want to learn. The only thing we should be funding is education not entertainment. But dishonest, pandering politicians and self interested “educators” want to whine constantly about how tough it is and how those poor underpaid administrators and teachers could do so much better if only they could reach deeper into your pockets. Wake up…they’re lying.
Thanks for your insight, Sarah. We get your frustration. You’re outnumbered 7 to 1 by the registered special-interest half of Alaska’s lobbyist-legislator team, but you still talk to us. Appreciate that!
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How could Alaska’s quality of education sink to America’s worst performing and most expensive if so many of your colleagues and all of Alaska’s education-industry officials didn’t dedicate their lives to make it that way?
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Do you really believe: (a) they’re so stupid and incompetent that they can’t do for most of Alaska’s children what Eagle Academy does for some of Anchorage’s children; and (b) they should be rewarded with more taxpayer money, not prison terms, for what they did to generations of Alaska’s children?
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Or, should taxpayer/parents be facing up to the awful possibility that no amount of smart choices, meaningful reforms, and extra taxes can fix our education racket, because it’s protected from state law enforcement and angry voters by corrupted grand-jury and election systems? They’re not corrupted? Is that discussion really necessary?
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Racket? Remember the Anchorage School District Superintendent’s in-your-face words about harboring illegal-alien children or the $724K DEI bonus you”ll give him and his homies? That’s not mob behavior? Care to guess why he suddenly cares so much about DEI bonuses and illegal-alien children?
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Misinformation? “Representative Sarah Vance and a majority coalition of lawmakers realizing a budget is just a piece of paper, passed a law mandating Alaska DOGE full access to all state offices and records, commissioning DOGE-conducted forensic audits of financial and management practices of education, judiciary, public-assistance, and election departments using the same Musk data-analytics which uncovered 300-year old Social Security recipients and corrupted voter rolls, and publishing findings.” Really happened, right?
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Smart choices and meaningful reforms, plus the largest education funding increase in Alaska’s history given to the very criminals who deliberately ruined our children and our education system, plus taxing productive residents to reward them with them even more, what could possibly go wrong, Sarah?
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Eaglexit’s happening because smart choices and meaningful reforms work so well?
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Sarah, you caught this on the Fox news feed: “DOGE says it found nearly untraceable budget line item responsible for $4.7T in payments”? This can never be a thing in Alaska’s budget, right?
(‘https://www.foxnews.com/politics/doge-says-found-nearly-untraceable-budget-line-item-responsible-4-7t-payments)
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The word “accountability” makes your adoring public think about these things and what should happen to officials who brought us to this point and keep us here.
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Drill baby drill is now tax baby tax because middle-class, productive Alaskans need to get used to the idea of paying some kind of tax to reward these sons of …persons?
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People who’ll never pay your education-industry tax such as Alaska’s Ruling Class, the serfs, public-employee unions, bums, lobbyists, casino owners, Native corporations, union members, NGO’s, and everyone outside the Three Civilized Boroughs… they’re lined up anyway to pay their fair share of this small, fair, equitable, sustainable tax just to help out hard-working education-industry folks?
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Nah, what we need from you, Sarah, is put on your Momma Grizzly suit, go among these sons of …persons, tell them where, and how far up, they should stick their largest education funding increase in Alaska’s history and their tax because DOGE is gonna rock their world. You’d do that for us, yes?
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What part of this crap can ever be worth the lives and education of children, yours and ours?