Legislature(2025 - 2026)DAVIS 106
01/29/2025 05:00 PM 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
5:01:20 PM
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."
5:02:40 PM
CO-CHAIR STORY opened public testimony on HB 69.
5:03:05 PM
MERIDETH MAPLE, representing self, testified in support of HB
69. She said that Alaska's public schools "are not broken,
they're starving" and explained how a flat funded base student
allocation (BSA) has negatively affected public schools around
Alaska. She said that a well-funded BSA would ensure that every
student in Alaska is given a quality education and the tools
they need to succeed.
5:05:28 PM
MELISSA BURNETT, representing self, testified in support of HB
69. She said that HB 69 needs to be a bill that the governor is
willing to sign and suggested adding performance-based funding
incentives to the proposed legislation to make it a more
attractive bill to the governor.
5:07:41 PM
LUKE MYNAR, PhD, Superintendent, Fairbanks School District,
testified in support of HB 69. He said that the Fairbanks
School District is facing a $31 million deficit and is reaching
a breaking point from "chronic underfunding." He said that the
cuts the Fairbanks schoolboard is having to make each year is
contributing to young families having to leave the state year
after year.
5:10:07 PM
EFROM FRAILICK, representing self, testified in support of HB
69. He said that there are teachers and educators who care for
their students, but the Alaska public education system is
failing its children and communities. He said that the failing
public school system is a product of the flat-funded BSA. He
said that a better-funded BSA presented hope for his and other
families in Alaska.
5:12:s24 PM
AMY LLOYD, Teacher, Juneau School District, testified in support
of HB 69. She emphasized to the committee members that they
must "resist the urge from the governor" to not pass HB 69.
5:13:24 PM
COLLIN FLYNN, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
He said that the continually flat-funded BSA is contributing to
a declining environment for children and young people in Alaskan
communities.
5:14:56 PM
JASON FAGEL, Physical Therapist, Juneau School District,
testified in support of HB 69. He said that the quality of
education and the quality of available school staff is
"declining before our very eyes" and emphasized that Alaska's
outmigration could be stopped by well-funded BSA.
5:16:09 PM
JAYDA CALL, Occupational Therapist, Juneau School District,
testified in support of HB 69. She said that students require
access to a variety of resources and space to succeed in an
education environment. She explained that it is impossible to
maintain any resources or space for children in Alaska's
education system without an increase to the BSA.
5:18:35 PM
LAURA MULGREW, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
She said that her family initially chose to stay in Juneau
because of its quality education system and emphasized that
"we're losing our future" without adequate educational funding.
5:19:55 PM
KATIE GREENE, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
She shared an anecdote as a mother of students in the Juneau
School District (JSD) and emphasized that her son who requires
Individual Education Plan (IEP) assistance is not adequately
being attended to due to the exacerbated effects of the BSA's
current funding scenario.
5:21:45 PM
FRANK HAUSER, Superintendent, Juneau School District, testified
in support of HB 69. He shared the impacts of the JSD's recent
restructuring and emphasized that an increased BSA would help to
provide stability to the JSD for the first time in 10 years. He
challenged the results of the commonly referenced Harvard study
on charter schools in Alaska and said that it is "time to
adequately support those who choose Alaska's public schools."
5:24:07 PM
KERRY IRONS, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
She said that a week prior from January 29, 2025, the Kodiak
schoolboard made the decision to close a school in its school
district. She said that it is unsustainable to move forward
with a flat-funded BSA. She thanked the committee for its work
in bringing forward HB 69.
5:25:51 PM
MIKE MILLIGAN, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
He said that he "can't help but wonder if we are inadvertently
debating Alaska tax issues." He said that the Alaska State
Legislature should increase the corporate income tax on the oil
companies in the North Slope as a means to incur more funding
for public education.
5:28:25 PM
ERIKA BURR, Teacher, Fairbanks North Star Borough School
District, testified in support of HB 69. She said that a flat-
funded BSA creates larger class sizes and doesn't allow her a
fair chance to connect with her students. She said that the
increased class sizes lead to exhaustion and burnout, both of
which contribute to outmigration of Alaskans, families, and
teachers.
5:30:57 PM
JAMES ALDRIDGE, representing self, testified in support of HB
69. He said that he would like to see HB 69 passed at the
"utmost speed."
5:31:27 PM
COOPER MOEN, Student, University of Alaska Fairbanks, testified
in support of HB 69. He said that "it has broken his heart
multiple times to see people lose educational opportunities."
He urged the committee's support of HB 69.
5:32:46 PM
DAVID GUTTENBURG, Member, Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly,
testified in support of HB 69. He shared that he was a retired
member of the Alaska State Legislature and said that "every time
you underfund education, you are inherently increasing the taxes
on Alaskans." He said that schoolboards are already concerned
with accountability and the improvement of student outcomes.
5:35:37 PM
DANIKA HAMM, President, Alaska Association of Student
Governments, testified in support of HB 69. She said that the
Alaska Association of Student Governments (AASG) is in "strong
support" of an increase to the BSA and explained a series of
impacts of a continually flat-funded BSA.
5:37:54 PM
CELESTE GROWDEN, President, Alaska Black Caucus, testified in
support of HB 69. She said that the lack of adequate funding
has forced school districts around Alaska to make "heart
wrenching" decisions.
5:40:33 PM
LUKE ALMON, Principal, Anchorage School District, testified in
support of HB 69. He explained that the continual use of one-
time funding will create a cycle of administrators being forced
to hire and re-hire their staff on a regular basis. He said
that he almost never has any candidates who are applying for
open positions because he cannot offer competitive salaries to
them.
5:42:59 PM
RHONDA PROWELL-KITTER, Teacher, Aquarian Charter Schools,
testified in support of HB 69. She emphasized that all schools
in Alaska are at risk of losing their reputation if they are not
funded predictably and continually.
5:45:20 PM
PATRICIA CONATSER, Member, Craig Schoolboard, testified in
support of HB 69. She said that it has been "very difficult" to
see her school districts dwindle in size and scope. She
emphasized that the Craig School District's deficit is still too
large and must be alleviated by an increased BSA.
5:47:51 PM
CHRIS NOEL, Mayor, Denali Borough, testified in support of HB
69. He said that the Denali Borough passed a resolution in
support of a significant BSA increase with inflationary
adjustments.
5:49:50 PM
SARAH LAGHLIN, Chair, Legislative Committee, Alaska Nurses
Association, testified in support of HB 69. She reminded the
committee that school nurses are funded and supported by an
increased BSA and urged members' support of HB 69.
5:50:43 PM
JOHN HARGIS, Superintendent, Lower Yukon School District,
testified in support of HB 69. He said that Alaska's poorly
funded education system is contributing to Alaska's overall
decline in economy and emphasized that inflation has outpaced
the BSA's funding amount.
5:52:35 PM
JASMINE WOLFE, Student, Sitka High School, testified in support
of HB 69. She said that she is afraid for the future of her
school district and the future of her state due the Alaska State
Legislature treating children like a cost rather than an
investment.
5:54:21 PM
OLIVIA SKAN, Southeast Regional Representative, Alaska
Association of Student Governments, testified in support of HB
69. She shared a series of classes that are proposed to be cut
in the coming school year and further shared a series of
anecdotes in her experience being a student of Alaska's public
school system.
5:56:23 PM
JAMIE EELLS, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
She explained that the current flat-funded BSA has contributed
to larger class sizes, fewer school programs, and an overall
more negative experience for students in public education. She
said that small class sizes and social-emotional programs are
vital to a student's success. She said that investing in
children is an investment in Alaska's future.
5:59:15 PM
SUSAN BRANDT-FURGUSON, Teacher, Sitka School District, testified
in support of HB 69. She said that Alaska's children are
"missing out" under current funding levels. She emphasized the
impacts of a flat-funded BSA and said that it is a matter of
priority to fund the BSA.
6:00:56 PM
KAT RICHARDS, School Nurse, Sitka School District, testified in
support of HB 69. She said that HB 69 is clear and concise in
its goal to improve education and its outcomes in Alaska.
6:05:41 PM
JEN REID, Teacher, Sitka School District, testified in support
of HB 69. She said that education in Alaska has not kept up
with inflation like she and other Alaskans have had to in recent
years and explained that spending more and making budgetary
adjustments can feel scary even if they are necessary.
6:07:00 PM
ERIC JORDAN, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
He said that he was awed with the words of the other testifiers
and urged the committee to override any possible veto of HB 69
from the governor.
6:08:21 PM
LYLE HILDE, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
He said that the investment of the BSA in schoolchildren is
extremely low compared to the positive outcome of the overall
positive outcome of any investment in education.
6:10:00 PM
RYAN MEYERS, Teacher, Sitka School District, testified in
support of HB 69. He said that the term "flat funding" is
misleading because schools in Alaska are actively being
underfunded year after year. He said that he was initially
brought to Alaska because of the high teacher pay and explained
that he has been thinking of leaving as of recent due to the
decline in education funding.
6:11:38 PM
FREDERIQUE CHARBONNEAU, Teacher, Sitka School District,
testified in support of HB 69. She said that all schoolchildren
benefit from a well-rounded education and emphasized that a
well-rounded education is not possible in the face of a
declining funding scenario year after year. She thanked the
committee for hearing HB 69 and working to fund the BSA.
6:14:03 PM
MEGGAN TURNER, Special Education Teacher, Sitka School District,
testified in support of HB 69. She said that she sees class
sizes increasing, skilled staff being cut, and school programs
being cut year after year and emphasized that there is no
solution other than increasing the BSA.
6:15:40 PM
LORI CRUPE, School Psychologist, Juneau School District,
testified in support of HB 69. She said that this was her third
time testifying in support of an increase BSA and emphasized the
negative impacts of a declining funding base.
6:17:23 PM
DWAYNE HANSON, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
He said that Alaska's public education system has enabled him
and his wife to have great careers and quoted former Governor
Wally Hickel saying, "You can't cut your way to prosperity." He
said he would be "amazed" if the Alaska State Legislature does
not support HB 69.
6:19:57 PM
EMILY FERRY, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
She shared an anecdote of her son succeeding in his robotics
program due to the public education system that surrounds it.
She said that she is nervous for the future of Alaska once its
teachers who are enrolled in Tier I of the Teachers' Retirement
System (TRS) retire and explained that the state is underfunding
Alaska's schools and staff.
6:22:19 PM
CHARLES MCKEE, representing self, testified on HB 69. He said,
"At least we have the jail system to rely on for revenue."
6:24:52 PM
SUSAN RITTER, testified in support of HB 69. She said that
"time has run out and education must be funded on a consistent
schedule". She said that HB 69 "is not asking for the moon"; it
is asking for government officials to obey the constitution in
its obligation to a good public education.
6:27:16 PM
TRACY FISCHBACH, representing self, testified in support of HB
69. She said that there have been many opportunities for her
family to leave the state, but they stayed for the quality of
Alaska's public education system. She emphasized that she was
unsure if she would make the same decision to stay today due to
the states refusal to fund public education.
6:29:35 PM
SCOTT CRASS, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
He said that Alaska has a constitutional obligation to provide a
quality public education and said that students need to be
assured that they have the ability to learn and succeed in all
educational environments. He said that students gain the
knowledge and skills they need to succeed in life when public
schools are adequately funded.
6:31:51 PM
PATRICIA LEE, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
She said that she would like to see HB 69 "veto-proofed and
inflation-proofed." She said that she would like to see
legislators who want to see proof of performance for an
increased BSA take a 10th grade achievement test and publish
their results.
6:34:33 PM
ANDY HOLLMAN, President, Anchorage School Board, testified in
support of HB 69. He said that HB 69 would support struggling
teachers and students at a "critical moment" in the fight for an
equitable education system in Alaska.
6:36:35 PM
JENNA HAMM, Member, Denali Borough Schoolboard, testified in
support of HB 69. She said that the Denali Borough School
District isn't as hard hit by the underfunded BSA and recognized
the impacts being faced by other districts in the state.
6:39:23 PM
LAEL OLDMIXON, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
She said that the Fairbanks Northstar Borough School District
has been forced to cut over 200 positions in the past decade due
to an underfunded BSA. She said that Alaska's economy and
workforce will suffer as long as public education is continually
underfunded and urged the committee to support HB 69.
6:42:04 PM
DANIELLE LOGAN, representing self, testified in support of HB
69. She said that Fairbanks is in a crisis and shared her
frustration for previous remarks about a school district's need
for accountability. She asked where the accountability was "for
Alaska's obligation to a fair public education" and challenged
Governor Dunleavy's proposals on education in Alaska.
6:44:03 PM
JASON TAURIANIEN, representing self, testified in support of HB
69. He said that Alaska is "in a dire situation" and emphasized
that HB 69 is not a solution, rather it is an apology for the
underfunding of public education in the previous years.
6:46:10 PM
EDWARD RICHARDS, representing self, testified in support of HB
69. He said that HB 69 would create a prosperous Alaska in the
future by creating a more educated and well-prepared work force.
He shared his enthusiasm to return to Alaska and work as a
teacher and said that an increased BSA would incentivize him and
other young families to return to Alaska.
6:48:11 PM
ERIN MORROTI, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
She shared that in the last 10 years, the Fairbanks Northstar
Borough School District has cut over $50 million in its
operating budget which has led to 250 staff members being cut.
She shared that the Fairbanks Northstar Borough School District
(FNBSD) has had to close four schools and is currently proposing
a further closure of five more schools within the School
District. She urged the committee's support of HB 69.
6:51:44 PM
COLLEEN HUMMEL, representing self, testified in support of HB
69. She said that the outmigration caused by a failing public
education is far more expensive than whatever dollar figure is
associated with an increased BSA.
6:53:36 PM
TABITHA VOELLER, representing self, testified in support of HB
69. She said that a quarter of students she works with that
require IEPs are not adequately attended to and shared anecdotes
of the impacts of inadequate public school funding.
6:55:47 PM
RICKY LINDE, JR, representing self, testified in support of HB
69. He shared his experience in working as a music teacher and
spoke about how his position as the music teacher slowly
devolved into an amalgamation of other roles throughout the
school due to a staff shortage. He urged the committee to pass
HB 69.
6:58:17 PM
JUDITH ECKERT, Former Teacher, Homer School District, testified
in support of HB 69. She said that there is a need for
community & cultural education that might lead to students
developing more critical thinking schools. She said that school
districts are wasting money on digital and online curriculum.
7:00:46 PM
CRAIG FREDEEN, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
He compared the cost-savings of a flat funded BSA to the cost-
savings of deferred maintenance on an automobile. He said that
Alaska is "on the verge of a constitutional crisis" and
emphasized the need to increase the BSA immediately.
7:02:57 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 7:02 p.m. to 7:08 p.m.
7:08:30 PM
BETH SHORT-ROADS, representing self, testified in support of HB
69. She challenged the legislators who oppose raising the BSA
and asked if they truly believe that they are doing what is
right for Alaska's schoolchildren.
7:10:44 PM
PHYLLIS CLOUGH, representing self, testified in support of HB
69. She said that raising the BSA would give students around
Alaska the resources they need to succeed in their learning
environments.
7:12:16 PM
GARA BRIDWELL, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
She said that several members of her family who are educators
are considering leaving education or even leaving Alaska due to
the routine underfunding of public education in Alaska.
7:13:41 PM
ASHLEY MINAEI, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
She said that her family moved back to Alaska because she wanted
to give her children a rich and fulfilling childhood like the
one that she had, with Alaska's public school system being a
part of that. She explained that she has stopped trying to
convince her friends to stay in Alaska in the face of its
failing public school system.
7:16:43 PM
CHRISTINA RIED, representing self, testified in support of HB
69. She explained that she is working on her Masters of
Education with the intention of working and living in Fairbanks
but is unsure of that future if the BSA and Alaska's public
schools are continually underfunded.
7:18:56 PM
BEN MUSE, representing self, testified in support of HB 69. He
said that Alaska cannot grow and thrive unless it can guarantee
people a strong public education.
7:20:03 PM
HAZEL CZEAMECKI, Second Grader, Bear Valley Elementary School,
testified in support of HB 69. She said that she was very proud
that her school, Bear Valley Elementary, won a blue ribbon award
for its excellence. She said that she has to wait in line to
get help from her teacher. She said that it is commonplace for
there to be no room on the rug when the teacher is teaching, and
it can be hard to hear when she has to sit farther away. She
very kindly asked the Alaska State Legislature to pass HB 69.
7:22:20 PM
SARAH MCCONNELL, representing self, testified in support of HB
69. She said that Fairbanks will continue to decline in its
growth if the BSA fails to be increased.
7:24:44 PM
MARA KENDALL, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
She said that she is unsure if it is even viable to live, work,
and raise a family in Alaska if the BSA's current funding
scenario continues.
7:26:17 PM
ERIC FILARDI, Principal, Mendenhall River Community School,
testified in support of HB 69. He said that his school is
facing unprecedented challenges due to inadequate funding and
said that certain positions were filled by emergency
firefighters in the previous school year. He explained that the
lack of a permanent BSA increase has created a cycle of
instability in school district's budgetary processes.
7:28:43 PM
WINTER MARSHALL-ALLEN, representing self, testified in support
of HB 69. She echoed the previous student testifier's remarks
and emphasized that she is having trouble meeting even the
barest minimum legal requirements of her students that are on
IEP's.
7:30:53 PM
MARY FENNO, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
She said that the BSA is the underpinning of Alaska's school
districts and must be properly funded for the state to survive.
She encouraged the legislators to stand up to Governor Dunleavy
if he vetoes HB 69.
7:33:14 PM
TESSA POLASEK, Student, Juneau School District, testified in
support of HB 69. She shared an anecdote that one of her
teachers has to use a step stool just to speak to their
oversized class. She said that an increased BSA would have a
positive impact on Alaska.
7:34:54 PM
ARIEL STARBUCK, Teacher, Sitka School District, testified in
support of HB 69. She said, "This is not about politics; this
is about priorities." She said that the time to delay the
raising of the BSA is no longer and encouraged the committee to
pass HB 69.
7:37:00 PM
KATE JOHNSON, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
She said that she is tired of testifying year after year in
support of public education and urged the committee's support of
HB 69.
7:37:53 PM
BERT HOUGHTALING, representing self, testified opposition to HB
69. He shared a series of numbers related to public education
funding in Alaska and said to "never forget that the [funding]
increases that the special interests are demanding here today
have not improved the overall outcomes of our students." He
said that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Critical
Race Theory (CRT) policies have "only compounded the problems
that the Alaska education system is having."
7:40:20 PM
KRISTI DOWNING, representing self, testified in support of HB
69. She said that Fairbanks schools are currently facing
unprecedented cuts to their budgets and emphasized that HB 69
would allow schools in Fairbanks and around Alaska to evolve and
stay relevant in the face of declining funding and inflationary
pressures.
7:42:30 PM
AMY AINSLIE, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
She echoed the comments of previous testifiers in support of HB
69 and urged the committee to pass HB 69.
7:45:11 PM
EVELYN TREFON, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
She explained that her school district does not have music
teachers, school nurses, or physical education teachers and has
cut the length of their school year by 20 days to "make ends
meet."
7:47:42 PM
BRIDGET HITCHCOCK, representing self, testified in support of HB
69. She explained that the Sitka School District lost 18
teaching positions in the previous school year and emphasized
the need for vital teaching positions to allow for students to
flourish.
7:49:56 PM
ALEXANDER ROSALES, representing self, testified in opposition to
HB 69. He shared a series of figures related to student
performance and challenges the idea that an increase in the BSA
would have a positive effect on students.
7:51:54 PM
KEN HUCKABEE, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
69. He echoed the testimony of the person before him and said
that the cost of living will become unaffordable if the Alaska
State Legislature passes HB 69. He said that Alaska "does not
have the money" for HB 69.
7:54:07 PM
BRUCE OWENS, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
69. He said that Alaska ranks sixth in the nation for spending
per student, yet ranks at the bottom of many educational
performance charts. He said that Alaska "does not have the
money" for HB 69.
7:56:29 PM
JEANNE GERHARDT-CYRUS, representing self, testified in support
of HB 69. She said that rural schools in Alaska face an
impossible task of providing a quality education in the face of
a consistently declining BSA. She explained a series of
negative impacts that are a result of a flat-funded BSA and
urged the committee's support of HB 69.
7:58:36 PM
MOLLY HICKOX, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
She painted a picture of how the elementary school she works at
is negatively affected by a poorly funded BSA and emphasized the
potential positive impacts of any increase in the BSA.
8:00:57 PM
VALERIE LUKIN, Teacher, Kodiak Island Borough School District,
testified in support of HB 69. She said that her local school
district is facing major budget cuts in the coming year and
shared that she witnessed schoolchildren walking into school
crying because they were worried that their school might get
closed. She said that there will be bigger class sizes and
fewer teachers in the coming year if HB 69 doesn't become law.
8:02:58 PM
JEANINE COSTELLO, representing self, testified in support of HB
69. She said that the children of Alaska are its greatest asset
and emphasized that those children put their trust into the
adults of Alaska to provide them a quality public education.
She urged the committee's support of HB 69.
8:04:56 PM
BRENT JOHNSON, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
He said that it is incredibly important that Alaska inspire its
students to become future teachers and urged the committee's
support of HB 69.
8:06:07 PM
MARK SOMERVILLE, representing self, testified in support of HB
69. He shared a list of school expenditures that are
challenging to address while operating with a consistently
underfunded BSA.
8:07:44 PM
BEVERLY O'DONNELL, representing self, testified in support of HB
69. She explained that her local school in Salcha was recently
selected as one of five schools that are proposed to be closed
in the coming school year in order to meet budgetary demands.
She said that her school district jobs pay consistently 30
percent less an hour than private jobs and urged the committee's
support of HB 69.
8:11:00 PM
DENISE TEMPLETON, representing self, testified in opposition to
HB 69. She said, "Parents are pulling students out of school
because of books that a child should not read and because they
aren't excelling in math, reading, and civics." She opined that
[Alaska]n is not hurting from a lack of BSA, pointing out that
the state spends the highest in the nation on the BSA while
ranking 49th in academic performance.
8:13:02 PM
KELLY KING, representing self, testified in support of HB 69.
She said that she has supported thousands of students in Alaska
who did not have access to stable housing and said that the
number one indicator of someone's ability to break the cycle of
houselessness is whether or not they obtain a high school
diploma. She emphasized that students in her school district
are able to break the cycle of houselessness through the public
school system and shared a series of positive impacts of an
increase BSA.
8:15:04 PM
PAUL RIOUX, Member, Sitka Schoolboard, testified in support of
HB 69. He said that an investment in education funding is an
investment in the future of Alaska and said that there is a
clear need for an increase in the BSA.
8:16:28 PM
JAN CAROLYN HARDY, State President, American Federation of
State, County & Municipal Employees Retirees, testified in
support of HB 69. She emphasized the importance of viewing any
investment in education as an investment in the future of
Alaska. She thanked all of the young testifiers who put their
voice forward during this committee meeting and urged the
committee's support of HB 69.
8:18:21 PM
PATRICK MAYER, Superintendent, Alaskan Gateway School District,
testified in support of HB 69. He said that inflation has had a
tremendously negative impact on a BSA that has not been
positively funded in over a decade. He pointed out that a
short-funded BSA is largely to blame for Alaska's labor shortage
and outmigration crisis. He said that Alaska "cannot cut its
way to greatness" and urged the committee's support of HB 69.
8:20:46 PM
TERRI WALKER, Superintendent, Northwest Arctic Borough School
District, testified in support of HB 69. She said that the only
access to education in her community is the public school and
stressed that every budget cut, staffing shortage, and outdated
resource directly impacts each and every student and person in
that school's community.
8:23:22 PM
ZUZANNA BOBINSKI, representing self, testified in support of HB
69. She expressed her support for HB 69.
8:24:09 PM
DUNNINGTON BABB, Parent, Aquarian Charter School, testified in
support of HB 69. He echoed previous testifiers in support of
the proposed legislation and added that charter schools are in
just as great a need of an increase to the BSA as public
schools.
8:26:39 PM
KELLY LESSONS, Member, Anchorage Schoolboard, testified in
support of HB 69. She said that "time is of the essence" in the
passage of HB 69 because the Anchorage School District and other
school districts around Alaska are nearing the release of their
preliminary budgets and could use the increased BSA to properly
budget for the coming year.
8:28:57 PM
JESSE HENSEL, Teacher, Fairbanks North Star Borough School
District, testified in support of HB 69. He said that he is
potentially facing a closure of the school that he works in if
HB 69 were to fail to become law.
8:30:37 PM
CO-CHAIR STORY, after ascertaining that there was no one else
who wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 69.
8:31:41 PM
CO-CHAIR STORY announced that 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 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 Sectional Analysis 1.24.25.pdf |
HEDC 1/27/2025 8:00:00 AM HEDC 1/29/2025 5:00:00 PM |
HB 69 |
| HB 69 Presentation BSA slides.pdf |
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 |
| 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 |
| HB 69 Written Testimony 1.pdf |
HEDC 1/29/2025 5:00:00 PM |
HB 69 |
| HB 69 Written Testimony 2.pdf |
HEDC 1/29/2025 5:00:00 PM |
HB 69 |