Legislature(2025 - 2026)DAVIS 106
01/29/2025 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB69 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 69 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 69-EDUCATION FUNDING: INCREASE BSA
8:03:18 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY announced that the only order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 69, "An Act relating to education funding; and
providing for an effective date."
8:03:26 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY reminded the committee that the amendment
deadline for HB 69 was set for Friday, January 31, 2025, at 3:00
p.m. and delivered committee announcements.
8:05:54 AM
The committee took a brief at-ease from 8:05 a.m. to 8:06 a.m.
8:06:12 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY opened public testimony on HB 69.
8:06:58 AM
TRAVIS VAUGHN, Mt. Edgecumbe High School Board, testified in
support of HB 69. He said that teachers, firefighters, and
policemen are never to be told "we don't have enough money for
you." He encouraged the committee to view HB 69 as an
opportunity to restore trust in the Alaska State Legislature.
8:09:30 AM
ALAN GARRISON, Executive Director, Association of Alaska School
Boards, testified in support of HB 69. He said, "When students
succeed, parents and communities also succeed." He explained
that the inconsistent funding from the state in recent years
"has a tendency to create stress" instead of helping school
districts. He cited testimony from the House Education Standing
Committee meeting on 1/27/25 and a study done by Mayor Suzanne
LaFrance of Anchorage as reasons behind his support for HB 69.
8:12:11 AM
BRIDGET SMITH, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
She quoted Thomas Jefferson saying that "an educated citizenry
is a vital requisite for our survival as a free people." She
cited her experiences working in rural schools and emphasized
the importance that they be well-funded, as they are often the
heart of the community they occupy.
8:14:37 AM
CAROLINE STORM, Executive Director, Education Equity, testified
in support of HB 69. She challenged the idea that the state
should decrease its funding towards school districts that are
displaying declining performance metrics and said that an
evidence-based study claims that Alaska is underfunding it's
schools by a mark of over $7,000.
8:17:07 AM
MEGAN PELLTIER, representing self, testified in support of HB
69. She said that each year the base student allocation (BSA)
is not increased, the Anchorage School District (ASD) faces an
ultimatum of cutting more and more vital programs. She said
that the Anchorage Parent-Teacher Association is generous and
works hard to fundraise for the ASD and emphasized that
fundraising as a means to make up for a lack of funding from the
state is unsustainable on a long term scale.
8:19:04 AM
AMANDA THOMPSON, representing self, testified in opposition to
HB 69. She said that charter schools "get results" and said
that HB 69 should be opposed because it does not include a
clause for state funds to be directed towards charter schools.
8:21:59 AM
LANDA BAILEY, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
She directed committee members to written testimony that she had
e-mailed prior to the committee meeting and said that a strong
public school system is of paramount importance to every
Alaskan. She said that the Alaska Legislature has failed to
keep up with inflationary impacts on the BSA since 2017 and
emphasized the outsized impact that underfunded schools are
having on Alaska.
8:24:30 AM
ROZLYN GRADY-WYCHE, Alaska Education Chair, National Association
for the Advancement of Colored People, Alaska Oregon Washington
State Area Conference, testified in support of HB 69. She cited
the Alaska State Constitution's clause that mandates every
Alaskan to a fair and free public education. She said that
"underfunding schools today means fewer opportunities for
tomorrow" and urged the committee's support of HB 69.
8:26:46 AM
BRIAN TEMPLEN, City Administrator, testified in support of HB
69. He said that the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program was not
reauthorized by the United States Congress in 2025 and
emphasized the impact that the cancellation of that program will
have on rural schools in Alaska. He explained that a further
flat-funded BSA, along with the loss of the SRS program, would
make for a compounding loss of funding to his local school
district with immense funding implications. He urged the
committee to support HB 69.
8:28:17 AM
LAURA NORTON-CRUZ, representing self, testified in support of HB
69. As a concerned parent, she said that one time funding
boosts are not the same as adjusting and increasing the BSA and
challenged the idea that schools and teachers must prove
themselves before they receive public funding.
8:29:59 AM
BARB JEWELL, Chair, Cordova Board of Education, testified in
support of HB 69. She shared that the Cordova Board of
Education is facing a $1.5 million deficit for fiscal year 2026
(FY 06 )and said that things like school activities and food
programs are at risk of being cut if the proposed legislation
were to fail to become law.
8:31:58 AM
RODNEY DIAL, Mayor, Ketchikan Gateway Borough, testified in
support of HB 69. He said that the Ketchikan Gateway Borough
School District (KGBSD) has created its FY 26 budget based off
of the current BSA and explained that the KGBSD would have to
make major cuts if HB 69 were not to become law. He emphasized
the disparity between urban and rural school districts in the
funding that they receive and emphasized the impacts of a flat-
funded BSA on both types of school districts.
8:33:56 AM
MIKE BRONSON, Education Committee, NAACP, testified in support
of HB 69. He said that the Alaska State Legislature is
responsible for funding Alaska's public schools and is letting
them languish. He cited a series of impacts that poorly funded
public schools are having on Alaska and said that HB 69 is "a
big step in the right direction."
8:36:32 AM
ROBYN TAYLOR, Superintendent, Petersburg School District,
testified in support of HB 69. She emphasized the continual
cycle of budget cuts that school districts Alaska are being
faced with year after year are forcing school districts and
school boards to make unconscionable decisions. She said that
the predictable funding of an inflation adjusted BSA would allow
for districts to properly budget and adequately fund schools and
their programs.
8:39:18 AM
CODY MCCANNA, Principal, Aurora Borealis Charter School,
testified in support of HB 69. He emphasized that the Kenai
Peninsula Borough School District is facing a $16-17 million
budget deficit in the coming years and said that an investment
in public education is "an investment in the future."
8:41:26 AM
MELODY MCCULLOUGH, representing self, testified in opposition to
HB 69. She said that "we keep throwing money at the BSA; we
need real policy changes to hold districts accountable." She
shared her belief that Alaska needs to have stronger incentives
and support in order to recruit and retain its public school
teachers.
8:43:23 AM
RONDA SCHLUMBOHM, representing self, testified in support of HB
69. She shared that the Salcha School Board is nearing a
decision to close one of its schools and said that HB 69 could
stop that from happening. She said that there should be a path
for rural schools to obtain more state funding and urged the
committee's support of HB 69.
8:45:29 AM
ALEX WERTHEIMER, representing self, testified in support of HB
69. He shared his concern that his grandchild will not be able
to receive the same quality education that his children
received. He said that HB 69 would alleviate issues caused by a
flat-funded BSA and said that he "enthusiastically supports" HB
69.
8:47:19 AM
CHARLIE FRANZ, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
69. He said that "throwing more money at the schools is not the
way to approach this." He said that any additional funding
provided to public schools must include performance standards
and "ultimatums" for the funds.
8:49:00 AM
CARA RUDE, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
She echoed the points made by previous testifiers in support of
HB 69. She said that the cornerstone of Alaska's economy and
its vitality is based in a well-funded public education system.
She opined that HB 69 would allow her to speak with pride about
Alaska's public school system.
8:51:30 AM
DAVID BOYLE, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
69. He shared his opinion that more funding would not solve
Alaska's problems. He said that increasing the number of
charter schools and "doing away with Diversity, Equity, and
Inclusion (DEI) and Critical Race Theory (CRT)" would solve the
public education issue.
8:54:30 AM
ELLEN JAIMES, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
She used the general cost of living as an example of
inflationary pressures that have impacted all of Alaska,
including the cost of public education in Alaska. She explained
that school district expenses have increased for heat,
electricity, hot water, and healthcare while teachers' wages and
benefits have not been increased. She said that the "stress in
our schools from staffing shortages is palpable" and emphasized
that one-time funding boosts are not sustainable for school
districts on a long term basis.
8:58:26 AM
HERMAN BECKER, Teacher, Juneau School District, testified in
support of HB 69. He said that HB 69 is long overdue and shared
his experience as a teacher in seeing classrooms and teaching
environments decline over the previous 15 years due to a flat-
funded BSA. He said that HB 69 is a "Band-Aid" solution that
would not adequately address the problems facing Alaska's public
school system but is a step in the right direction.
9:01:13 AM
RACHAEL POSEY, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
She said that the Alaska State Legislature must adequately fund
its schools to achieve any positive outcomes. She shared a
series of anecdotes about her child's experience in the Alaska
public school system.
9:04:09 AM
MARYSIA SZYMKOWIAK, Teacher, Juneau School District, testified
in support of HB 69. She said that the cost of living has
increased by 26 percent since 2020 while the overall funding for
public education has only increased by 5 percent. She said that
she knows of 10 families who have chosen to leave Alaska as a
result of its failing public education system and emphasized
that the issue of adequately funding public education is bigger
than the schools themselves.
9:06:30 AM
WENDY BURKE, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
She said that children in Alaska are suffering because of a
flat-funded BSA and shared that it has been "devastating" to see
the impacts of inadequate school funding. She urged the Alaska
State Legislature to override any veto from the governor and
encouraged the committee's support of HB 69.
9:08:01 AM
CHRISTINA TUMAN, representing self, testified in support of HB
69. She shared her understanding that the Legislative Finance
Division has already determined that the BSA should be increased
by $1,800. She highlighted that the Fairbanks School District
is seeing a 15 million dollar budget deficit and said that
Alaska State Legislature "must" past HB 69.
9:10:53 AM
RANDY TRANI, testified in support of HB 69. He said that his
school district is facing a $15 million deficit that might jump
to $45 million in the following year if HB 69 is not passed. He
emphasized that the uncertainty of one-time funding or a bill
passed late in session might negatively affect school districts
across Alaska.
9:13:08 AM
MARY MACARTHUR, representing self, testified in support of HB
69. She described what budgetary decisions might have to be
made in the Nome School District if HB 69 were to fail to become
law. She emphasized that all of the issues related to Alaska's
outmigration and declining economy could be directly tied to a
failing public school system.
9:15:26 AM
MARILYN BUCHANAN, representing self, testified in opposition to
HB 69. She purported that the reason for a lower enrollment in
Alaska's public school system is because students are being
forced to read "anti-American, Anti-white, anti-men, and pro-
gay" books.
9:17:07 AM
RACHEL DONKERSLOOT, Schoolboard Member, Kuspuk School District,
testified in support of HB 69. She said that her biggest
concern in choosing to raise a child in Alaska is its failing
public education system. She said that HB 69 would alleviate
intense budgetary pressures currently being put on school
districts around Alaska by a flat-funded BSA.
9:18:51 AM
PATRICIA MACPIKE, representing self, testified in support of HB
69. She said that the Alaska State Legislature has continually
failed its students in passing one-time public education funding
increases. She said that the Alaska State Legislature must stop
the "bloodletting" of the Alaska public school system by passing
HB 69 into law.
9:20:54 AM
EMILY KIZZIA, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
She shared her experience in attending Alaska's public schools
as a child and said that she loved growing up in Alaska, loves
living in Alaska, and wants to live in Alaska now. She said
that the state of public education is dismaying to her and is
"enough to make her leave the state." She said that she does
not view HB 69 as throwing money at a failed endeavor, rather HB
69 would be acknowledging and solving a wrongdoing by the State.
9:22:56 AM
ALDEN LARRABEE, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
69. He said that he supports funding public education but
doesn't support HB 69 because it does not include any clauses
for performance standards metrics.
9:24:39 AM
JENNI BRIGHTON, representing self, testified in support of HB
69. She shared the experience of her husband, who is teaching
in and her child that is attending public school in the Kenai
Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD). She said that
parents, communities, and students are suffering as a result of
a flat-funded BSA.
9:27:54 AM
BRANDY HARTY, Schoolboard Member, testified in support of HB 69.
She said that one resounding thing she has heard from public
testimony in her community is the love and need for its public
schools. She said that "our schools are not failing, they are
starving" and emphasized that charter schools would also benefit
from an increased BSA.
9:30:31 AM
ERIK ANDERSON, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
He said that the state needs to provide adequate funding and
shared the experience of his son attending public school in
Alaska. He said that it is "hard to imagine how a teacher would
be able to teach and engage with students in such an
environment" of 40-student classrooms.
9:32:49 AM
RACHEL LORD, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
She said that the KPBSD has been stretched and reworked year
after year due to a flat-funded BSA and emphasized the size and
scope of a school district as large as the KPBSD. She said that
there are "barely enough bodies" to run the schools in the KPBSD
and highlighted that public schools are the one school option
that may not be taken away.
9:35:25 AM
GRANT ARROW, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
69. He explained that he is opposed to HB 69 because it does
not include any language regarding fiscal accountability.
9:38:17 AM
RHIANA GAY, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
She explained that raising the BSA would provide schools with
better support and allow schools to provide more resources to
students and communities alike. She recited:
For homelessness we can break the chain,
With counseling resources they'll gain.
A stable life, a brighter mind,
Education is the key for all to find -
So raise the BSA, help them grow,
A future for students to hope and show.
9:39:52 AM
SHARON HANSEN, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
She noted that she is a stay-at-home mom. She said that her
community is being torn apart by an inadequately funded public
school system. She said that fingers are being pointed at the
local school board, at the local PTA, at legislators, and
emphasized that the year-after-year advocacy effort to increase
the BSA is getting exhausting.
9:42:34 AM
ED MARTIN, representing self, testified in opposition to HB 69.
He said that there should be accountability in government and
said that HB 69 needs to include language for funding ultimatums
and fiscal accountability.
9:45:16 AM
REBECCA BERNARD, representing self, testified in support of HB
69. She said that 2011 was the last year that public education
was properly funded and explained that she has seen the decline
of Alaska's public school system herself. She said that charter
schools are a great option but are not and should not be the
only answer for students looking to receive a quality education.
9:48:44 AM
CINDY ROQUE, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
69. She said that she is opposed to HB 69 because there isn't
any language related to funding accountability. She said that
she made the "difficult decision" in 2007 to transfer her
daughter to an aviation high school in Washington state due to
the lack of opportunities in Alaska. She said, "No amount of
money is going to fix Alaska's education system without any
accountability."
9:51:24 AM
KIM HANISCH, Superintendent, Unalaska School District, testified
in support of HB 69. She shared a series of programs and staff
that have been cut in the recent years due to a flat-funded BSA.
She said that the cutting of the programs and staff is hurting
her community.
9:53:42 AM
LISA PARODY, Executive Director, Alaska Council of School
Administrators, Testified in support of HB 69. She said that
every type of school from charter schools to public schools need
an increase in the BSA. She said that there is clear evidence
that increased funding to public education is correlative to a
better-performing student population. She said that
accountability is already existent in the Alaska State
Legislature's obligation and accountability to the Alaska State
Legislature.
9:56:49 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY, after ascertaining that there was no one else
who wished to testify, public testimony on HB 69
[HB 69 was held over.]
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 69 Version G 1.24.25.pdf |
HEDC 1/29/2025 8:00:00 AM HEDC 1/29/2025 5:00:00 PM |
HB 69 |
| HB 69 Sectional Analysis 1.24.25.pdf |
HEDC 1/29/2025 8:00:00 AM |
|
| HB 69 Sponsor Statement version G 1.24.25.pdf |
HEDC 1/27/2025 8:00:00 AM HEDC 1/29/2025 8:00:00 AM HEDC 1/29/2025 5:00:00 PM |
HB 69 |
| HB 69 Research Leg Fin 2.23 Citizens Guide K-12 Funding AK.pdf |
HEDC 1/27/2025 8:00:00 AM HEDC 1/29/2025 8:00:00 AM HEDC 1/29/2025 5:00:00 PM |
HB 69 |
| HB 69 Research ISER_K-12_Spending_3.22.pdf |
HEDC 1/27/2025 8:00:00 AM HEDC 1/29/2025 8:00:00 AM HEDC 1/29/2025 5:00:00 PM |
HB 69 |
| HB 69 Research Leg Res PublicEd Funding 4.8.24.pdf |
HEDC 1/27/2025 8:00:00 AM HEDC 1/29/2025 8:00:00 AM HEDC 1/29/2025 5:00:00 PM |
HB 69 |
| HB 69 Research Leg Fin Memo 9.30.24 Impact of Inflation on K-12 Funding.pdf |
HEDC 1/27/2025 8:00:00 AM HEDC 1/29/2025 8:00:00 AM HEDC 1/29/2025 5:00:00 PM |
HB 69 |
| HB 69 Resolution AASG 10.11.24.pdf |
HEDC 1/27/2025 8:00:00 AM HEDC 1/29/2025 8:00:00 AM HEDC 1/29/2025 5:00:00 PM |
HB 69 |
| HB 69 Resolution Anch Muni 1.7.25 School Bd 12.17.24_M079A.pdf |
HEDC 1/27/2025 8:00:00 AM HEDC 1/29/2025 8:00:00 AM HEDC 1/29/2025 5:00:00 PM |
HB 69 |
| HB 69 Resolution Lower Yukon SD 9.24.24.pdf |
HEDC 1/29/2025 8:00:00 AM HEDC 1/29/2025 5:00:00 PM |
HB 69 |
| HB 69 Research Presentation Slides Final 1.27.25.pdf |
HEDC 1/29/2025 8:00:00 AM |
|
| HB69_Testimony_FNSBSD_Andy DeGraw_1.26.25.pdf |
HEDC 1/27/2025 8:00:00 AM HEDC 1/29/2025 8:00:00 AM HEDC 1/29/2025 5:00:00 PM |
HB 69 |
| HB69_Testimony_KuspukSD_Dr.MadelineAguillard_1.26.25.pdf |
HEDC 1/27/2025 8:00:00 AM HEDC 1/29/2025 8:00:00 AM HEDC 1/29/2025 5:00:00 PM |
HB 69 |
| HB69_Testimony_KenaiPBSD_ClaytonHolland_1.26.25.pdf |
HEDC 1/27/2025 8:00:00 AM HEDC 1/29/2025 8:00:00 AM HEDC 1/29/2025 5:00:00 PM |
HB 69 |