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Gov. Mike Dunleavy compares Alaska to Mississippi data on poverty, per-pupil education spending, and the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress 4th grade reading scores during a press conference on Jan. 31, 2025. Alaska is highlighted in yellow, while Mississippi is in red. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

News

Dunleavy vetoes education funding to $500 BSA increase

Per-student funding was increased by $700 in an education bill passed by the Alaska Legislature in May.

Alex Koplin. (courtesy photo)

Opinion

Opinion: Public schools do much more than just teach the three Rs

Isn’t it worth spending the money to provide a quality education for each student that enters our schools?

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland speaks during a meeting of the KPBSD Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

News

KPBSD issues notice of non-retention to pool managers, theater techs and library aides

Those notices were issued due to the ongoing uncertainty in state education funding.

Lisa James holds up a book containing Nikolavesk History in the Nikolavesk School on Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Nikolavesk, Alaska. She said the book, along with trophies, photographs, and other school items will be boxed up and relocated to Homer Middle School upon Nikolavesk School’s closing on June 30. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)

News

Nikolaevsk School prepares for June 30 closure

The school serves a primarily Russian Old Believer community located about 19 miles outside of Homer.

Juneau School District Superintendent Frank Hauser watches Deena Bishop, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, discuss the federal disparity test for education funding provided by states during a Senate Education Committee meeting Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

News

State education board delays decision limiting local funding for schools

DEED blames local contributions for failure of disparity test — testimonies point the finger back.

Board President Zen Kelly speaks during a special meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

News

KPBSD facing ‘paralyzing’ financial uncertainty

The district is waiting both to see how the governor will exercise his veto rights and for the…

Leif Jaworski speaks during a graduation ceremony for Connections Homeschool in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, May 22, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

News

Real, meaningful and ‘ours’

Connections Homeschool students graduate after unconventional, unique school careers.

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News

Voznesenka School graduates 4

A commencement ceremony was held at Land’s End on Monday.

Kenai Alternative High School graduates stand with their diplomas at the conclusion of their commencement ceremony in the school’s gym in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 22, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

News

Kenai Alternative High School graduates 10

Principal John Galahan presented each of his 10 graduates with their own awards.

Graduates of Soldotna High School celebrate after receiving their diplomas on the school’s football field in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

News

‘Go do cool stuff’

Soldotna High School graduates told to chase futures that will make them happy.

Graduates celebrate at the end of the Kenai Central High School commencement ceremony in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

News

‘Fight as the generation who will stand tall’

Kenai Central High School graduates 113.

Guest speaker Donica Nash gave out candy matching each student, including this package of JOYRIDE to Gideon Pankratz, at the River City Academy graduation ceremony Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at Skyview Middle School just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

News

River City Academy graduates 9

The school serves students in seventh through 12th grade and has an enrollment of about 80

Rep. Andi Story (D-Juneau), Rep. Rebecca Himschoot (I-Sitka), and Rep. Sarah Vance (R-Homer) watch the vote tally during a veto override joint session on an education bill Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

News

Education funding boost stands as lawmakers successfully override Dunleavy veto

Three of the peninsula’s legislators voted to override the veto.

Nikiski graduates view their slideshow during a commencement ceremony at Nikiski/Middle High School in Nikiski, Alaska, on Monday, May 19, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

News

‘We need to change the world’

Nikiski Middle/High School graduates 31 on Monday.

Graduate Paxton McKnight speaks during the graduation ceremony at Cook Inlet Academy near Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

News

Beginning a new season of their lives

Cook Inlet Academy graduates seven.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters about his decision to veto an education funding bill earlier this session at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. He vetoed a second such bill on Monday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

News

Dunleavy vetoes 2nd bill increasing education funding; override vote by legislators likely Tuesday

Bill passed by 48-11 vote — eight more than needed — but same count for override not certain.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R-Alaska) speaks to reporters about his decision to veto an education funding bill at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion

Opinion: The fight for Alaska’s future begins in the classroom

The fight I’ve been leading isn’t about politics — it’s about priorities.

Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science students perform “Let’s Eat,” their fifth grade musical, at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Life

Healthy eating headlines elementary school musical

Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science stages “Let’s Eat” for its annual fifth grade musical.

Graduates process into the 55th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony, held at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

News

‘The kinds of leaders Alaska and the world needs’

KPC graduates congratulated as they head into the next chapter of their lives.

Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Commissioner Deena Bishop and Gov. Mike Dunleavy discuss his veto of an education bill during a press conference March 15, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion

Opinion: Strong policy, proven results

Why policy and funding go hand in hand.