Legislature’s decimation of school funding is shortsighted

  • Saturday, April 4, 2015 3:58pm
  • Opinion

School districts around the state continue to take it on the chin as the Legislature slashes its way through the operating budget.

The Senate passed its version of the operating budget Friday, which included a 4.1 percent reduction in the base student allocation — a $47.5 million cut to school funding.

On top of that, the Senate version of the budget strips forward-funding of education for 2017. That comes on top of Gov. Bill Walker’s proposal to cut $32 million in one-time funding for next year that was approved by the Legislature last year. And in a separate measure, the Legislature has been working overtime to keep from having to reimburse municipalities for new school improvement and construction bonds.

We understand that the state must make cuts somewhere, but cutting funding for an already piecemeal education budget seems remarkably shortsighted.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District already is facing a multi-million dollar deficit, and the latest round of cuts certainly exacerbates the situation. According to a Friday afternoon news release, the district is facing a revenue reduction of nearly $8 million — a loss of $6.5 million in state funding, and, because the local education contribution is tied to a formula based on the state contribution, a reduction of nearly $1.5 million in potential borough funding.

More than 80 percent of the school district budget is staff salary and benefits, which means the only way to make up the difference is by cutting staff — up to 100 positions, according to the district’s release.

Senate Finance Committee Co-Chair Pete Kelly said the Senate “did what was in the best interests of the state of Alaska.”

It’s hard to see how gutting school districts is in any way in the interest of Alaskans.

Most school districts around the state already struggle with funding from year to year, and head to Juneau every session, hat in hand, to lobby for additional funds.

Lawmakers in the past have pledged to look at education funding, but so far that has proven an empty promise as the Legislature instead passes short-term fixes, rather than addressing a long-term, consistent funding plan essential for school districts to succeed. This series of Band-Aids has barely been adequate to stop the bleeding; if lawmakers are set on ripping those Band-Aids off, as they appear to be this session, they ought to at least have a first-aid kit on hand to limit the blood loss.

Because the Senate version of the operating budget differs from what the House passed, the measure will likely go to a conference committee. Funding for education is likely to be used as political leverage as the Legislature will need to approve drawing on state savings to fund government in the coming year. We hope that when that vote comes to the floor, lawmakers will acknowledge that adequate funding of education — in addition to being a constitutional obligation — is worth the investment.

Failure to do so simply mortgages our state’s future.

More in Opinion

Nick Begich III campaign materials sit on tables ahead of a May 16, 2022, GOP debate held in Juneau. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: North to a Brighter Future

The policies championed by the Biden/Harris Administration and their allies in Congress have made it harder for us to live the Alaskan way of life

Soldotna City Council member Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings participates in the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL candidate forum series, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Opinion: I’m a Soldotna Republican and will vote No on 2

Open primaries and ranked choice voting offer a way to put power back into the hands of voters, where it belongs

Shrubs grow outside of the Kenai Courthouse on Monday, July 3, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Opinion: Vote yes to retain Judge Zeman and all judges on your ballot

Alaska’s state judges should never be chosen or rejected based on partisan political agendas

A vintage Underwood typewriter sits on a table on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, at the Homer News in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Point of View: District 6 needs to return to representation before Vance

Since Vance’s election she has closely aligned herself with the far-right representatives from Mat-Su and Gov. Mike Dunleavy

The Anchor River flows in the Anchor Point State Recreation Area on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Opinion: Help ensure Alaskans have rights to use, enjoy and care for rivers

It is discouraging to see the Department of Natural Resources seemingly on track to erode the public’s ability to protect vital water interests.

A sign directing voters to the Alaska Division of Elections polling place is seen in Kenai, Alaska, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Vote no on Ballot Measure 2

A yes vote would return Alaska to party controlled closed primaries and general elections in which the candidate need not win an outright majority to be elected.

Derrick Green (Courtesy photo)
Opinion: Ballot Measure 1 will help businesses and communities thrive

It would not be good for the health and safety of my staff, my customers, or my family if workers are too worried about missing pay to stay home when they are sick.

A sign warns of the presence of endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales at the Kenai Beach in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, July 10, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Opinion: Could an unnecessary gold mine drive Cook Inlet belugas extinct?

An industrial port for the proposed Johnson Tract gold mine could decimate the bay

Cassie Lawver. Photo provided by Cassie Lawver
Point of View: A clear choice

Sarah Vance has consistently stood up for policies that reflect the needs of our district

Alex Koplin. (courtesy photo)
Point of View: Ranked choice gives voters more voice

The major political parties are not in touch with all Alaskans