By Nathaniel Herz
Editor’s Note: This piece was originally published in Northern Journal, a newsletter and news website. Nathaniel Herz is an independent journalist and the founder and editor of Northern Journal. Nathaniel has given Must Read Alaska express permission to republish his gubernatorial candidate survey series.
We’re back with a new edition of our recurring survey of the more than dozen candidates running to be Alaska’s next governor.
This week’s survey explores a subject that has commanded huge amounts of political debate and discussion at Alaska’s Capitol in recent years: How much money should the state share with school districts on a per-student basis?
We also asked about what kind of car each candidate drives — because a car can tell you a lot about a person.
Republicans Bernadette Wilson, Nancy Dahlstrom, Adam Crum, Treg Taylor and independent Jessica Faircloth did not respond to the survey despite multiple requests.
Question 1: Education Funding
The Alaska Legislature last year passed a law boosting the state’s baseline per-student schools spending by some 12% to $6,660, up from $5,960, and overrode Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of the law. Lawmakers also overrode a separate line-item veto by Dunleavy of some of their added schools spending.
A pair of school districts, meanwhile, sued the Dunleavy administration last month, alleging that spending on schools is inadequate even after last year’s increase — which came after the baseline spending level rose barely 2% during the preceding decade. Inflation eroded purchasing power by some 37% during that same period, the districts said.
As governor, what specific amount would you have proposed for per-student spending — known as base student allocation, or BSA — in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year? Response must be a whole number. Then, please explain your answer.
Question 2: Cars
What kind of vehicle do you drive (make/model/color), and why did you choose it? If you don’t drive a car/truck, how do you get around?
Answers from the Candidates
Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, Democratic Former State Representative
Q1: $6,900.
With the Permanent Fund, all we care about — and *should* care about — is the “real” value of the fund, in inflation-adjusted terms, in order to protect the fund for future generations of Alaskans. It’s why accounting for inflation (and not relying on “nominal,” non-inflation-adjusted figures) is so important for making the Permanent Fund permanent.
It’s no different for public education: in “real” terms, we have cut funding for our schools over the last decade (by flat-funding in nominal terms). I haven’t math’d out where $6,900 would put us in real, inflation-adjusted terms, but we should get back to levels of education funding where families feel confidence in their neighborhood school and their kids’ future in Alaska.
Q2: 2001 Toyota Rav4, manual transmission. 227,000 miles and going strong!
Shelley Hughes, Republican Former State Senator
Q1: $6,660.
K-12 education is of utmost importance. Tying any increase to $6,660 to policies to increase student outcomes is the right thing to do when 70% of students are below grade level. Alaska ranks high in spending, yet student performance lags at the very bottom. Per pupil costs range from $6,200 for correspondence to over $60,000 in some districts, but this increase doesn’t correlate with an increase in outcomes. An inflation adjustment and/or BSA increase in law should go hand in hand with laws re: accountability, funds routed to teachers and proven approaches (like the Reads Act), expansion of proven, cost-effective educational choices, admin/instruction cost ratio reductions, and districts joining state’s health insurance pool to save money.
Q2: Our vehicles are simply to get us from point A to point B safely, nothing fancy, just functional. My husband and I share our 2010 Ford Ranger and 2020 Acura RDX. The must-haves when it comes to a vehicle? They have to hold the road well in winter (and that means 4-wheel drive – and sandbags in truck bed) and have space to haul gear for summer fun.
Anchorage Doctor Matt Heilala, a Republican
Q1: $6,660.
Should the need for additional funding arise after last year’s BSA showdown, I would work directly with legislators to set clear, achievable student outcome standards tied to any future funding such as reading proficiency by 3rd grade and algebra proficiency by 9th grade. Public schools deserve adequate support, and increased funding must come with accountability for measurable results, not unchecked spending. I’d also emphasize that public education is rapidly decentralizing and will look very different in the coming decades. This shift can benefit families and communities by using technology to find efficiencies, making more learning possible in less time and at lower cost through modern, decentralized teaching platforms.
Q2: I drive a Toyota Land Cruiser for Alaska’s tough winters. When weather permits, I drive my Tesla Model S Plaid. It’s exhilarating to drive, and its Full Self-Driving AI is remarkably advanced, proven 6-10x safer than human driving. As a technophile, I love its 90% well-to-wheel efficiency (vs. ~25% for gas), the forefront of innovation.
Dave Bronson, Republican and Former Mayor of Anchorage
Q1: $6,000.
Alaska already spends among the most per student in the nation, yet our student outcomes rank near the bottom.
Continuing to raise spending without demanding clear educational improvement is not responsible to students, parents, or taxpayers. Any future increase must be directly tied to specific, measurable reforms that improve reading proficiency, math performance, graduation rates, and career readiness.
Our priority must be measurable results, not just higher budgets. Before asking Alaskans to spend more, we must ensure existing education dollars are being used effectively.
Funding increases should be tied to proven progress in the classroom, not just throwing money at administrative bloat.
Q2: Red 2024 Ford F-350 – I chose it for functionality and towing capacity.
Republican James William Parkin IV
Q1: $10,000.
Alaska’s “spend it or lose it” budget is a system that breeds short-sighted, wasteful spending! For over 30 years I have witnessed the waste that this kind of directive has caused. No more! Clear directives, one page budget accountability, and allowances for saving, investing and long term financial decisionmaking without future budget penalties will guide funding to where it rightfully belongs. To the children and their teachers and not to administrative costs. Alaska was once a magnet state for the nation’s best teachers and brightest students! Alaska’s education funding is ranked 6th highest in the nation! A lawsuit is unwarranted. A budget system that gives the ed department more control over funding will solve the problems. Much more.
Q2: Whatever is running at the time. My fun car (not drivable most of the year) is my red 2007 Saturn Sky Redline Turbo convertible. Not practical but sometimes you need to just enjoy life. My kids enjoy driving it too.
Matanuska-Susitna Borough Mayor Edna DeVries, a Republican
Q1: $0.
I believe my answer is pretty clear. I am not proposing or supporting any amount until public education in the state of Alaska completes some reforms.
Q2: 2022 SUV
Former Anchorage State Sen. Tom Begich, a Democrat
Q1: $7,360.
This would be the 1st of 2 increases to bring us to $1,200 over 2 years. According to Legislative Finance, this covers erosion from inflation over the last 2 decades. I was instrumental in both the Kasayulie and Moore lawsuits ensuring that our state would fully and adequately fund education. The Reads Act set out good policy, but good policy – universal PreK, Reading, Math – must be fully funded. This administration has not done that. If reform is going to work, you have to pay for it. Coupled with early funding and inflation indexing of education, this would stabilize our education budget and would be paid for by 1) adopting the internet fee; 2) eliminating the Hilcorp exemption; and 3) eliminating oil and gas tax credits on our 3 legacy fields.
Q2: Grey All Wheel Drive MiniCooper Countryman (2013) — bought in Portland when my old car died. Drove up the Alcan Dec. 2012 at -40 F. The car wasn’t happy, but heated seats worked for me. It continues to carry me — well over 100,000 miles — up and down the Alcan in Winter and Summer. Good mileage, reliable, warm — and surprisingly high clearance.
Republican Former State Senator Click Bishop
Q1: $7,894.
As senator, I would have voted to override Governor Dunleavy’s veto of education funding. As governor, I will bring together stakeholders and experts to craft a durable solution to Alaska’s long-term education funding challenges. The $6,660 per-student figure was a compromise focused on one number, but districts across organized boroughs and REAAs face different realities. We must revisit the district cost factor, stagnant for 20 years, to ensure safe, reliable schools for every child. I would also add career and technical education to the formula. Alaska needs a predictable funding system so educators can focus on students—not politics in Juneau.
Q2: Blue Ford F-350 diesel crew cab. It’s my “do-it-all” truck— perfect for hauling my grandkids and Ruby, my dog. It has 340,000 miles and still running, but I do spend the money to keep it up in shape. It fits me like a glove!!!
Democratic State Sen. Matt Claman
Q1: $7,000.
A bright future for Alaska starts with education. For too long, we’ve undermined our schools, asking for more while funding less. $7,000 is an increase higher than inflation, and it must come with better results. Schools must work smarter to improve performance for students, the workforce, and our communities. Accountability is key to improving K-12 education, keeping young people working in Alaska, and growing the economy so the next generation can succeed. And we must start now. As senator, I introduced SB 46 to shift the focus from the flawed Base Student Allocation to a comprehensive budget approach that ensures predictability, transparency, and effective student-teacher ratios for our children to thrive. Our families deserve no less.
Q2: 2007 Subaru Tribeca. It’s a great car for us—all-wheel drive, reliable, and room to carry gear for our Alaska adventures. Plus it has comfortable seating for Lucy, our dog, to join the journey!
Republican Commercial Fisherman Henry Kroll
Q1: $10.
We have a 7% inflation of the dollar, and everything costs more. Some schools could be consolidated, and the buildings could be either rented or shared with other schools.
Q2: I drive a Ford 150 for my fishing business and a Ford car to get around because it is economical.
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