Legislature(2025 - 2026)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/21/2025 03:30 PM Senate EDUCATION
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| 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
3:32:12 PM
CHAIR TOBIN announced the consideration of CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO.
69(RLS) am "An Act relating to education; relating to open
enrollment in public schools; relating to school and student
performance reports; relating to school and district
accountability; relating to charter schools; relating to an
annual report for correspondence study programs; relating to the
base student allocation; relating to reading proficiency
incentive grants; relating to wireless telecommunications
devices in public schools; relating to the duty of the
legislature to pass a public education appropriation bill;
relating to the duty of the governor to prepare a public
education appropriation bill; establishing the Task Force on
Education Funding; relating to a report on regulation of school
districts; and providing for an effective date."
3:33:25 PM
CHAIR TOBIN invited the sponsor of HB 69 to present the bill.
3:33:26 PM
REPRESENTATIVE REBECCA HIMSCHOOT, District 2, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of HB 69 expressed
gratitude for the opportunity to present HB 69. She stated that
Alaskans have shown significant interest in the bill. She
emphasized that inaction could lead to unimaginable
consequences, while successfully passing the bill could bring
infinite benefits.
3:34:35 PM
ANDY RATLIFF, Chief Financial Officer, Anchorage School
District, Anchorage, Alaska, testified by invitation on HB 69.
He acknowledged the difficult decisions facing the legislature
and offered a brief overview of Anchorage School District's
(ASD) proposed budget for FY26 and the potential impact of HB
69. He explained that ASD builds its budget based on codified
revenue, which for FY26 totals $5,960 per student, resulting in
a structural deficit of approximately $110 million. Since 2011,
inflation has steadily eroded purchasing power, and the district
has used one-time funds, savings, and federal COVID relief to
offset deficits.
MR. RATLIFF emphasized that education is a personnel-driven
service, with 87 percent of ASD's budget allocated to salaries
and benefits. He noted that even modest increases to retain
staff lead to fewer total employees due to budget constraints.
To balance the FY26 budget under the current Base Student
Allocation (BSA), ASD proposes using $50 million in savings and
cutting over $60 million from operations, leading to increased
class sizes, school closures, staff reductions, and elimination
of multiple programs, including middle school and certain high
school sports, the IGNITE program for gifted students, and
language immersion support. Major maintenance and equipment
replacement funds would also be significantly reduced, worsening
the district's $1.5 billion deferred maintenance backlog.
3:36:51 PM
MR. RATLIFF stated that a $1,000 BSA increase under HB 69 would
help avoid these cuts. He addressed concerns about how new funds
would be spent, noting the ASD school board amended its FY26
budget to explicitly allocate additional funds to restoring
class size reductions, school programs, support staff, and
services, while administrative cuts would not be reversed. He
underscored the urgency of resolving education funding, as ASD
is preparing to issue layoff notices based on current shortfalls
and delays in funding decisions hinder the ability to fill
positions with qualified staff.
3:38:17 PM
MR. RATLIFF added that the original version of HB 69 offered a
long-term funding fix by tying BSA increases to inflation, which
would enable better financial planning, workforce stability, and
student achievement. He criticized the pattern of informing
staff of possible layoffs, followed by uncertain restoration,
which destabilizes the workforce. He concluded by expressing
concern that other state agencies have received inflationary
increases while education funding has stagnated.
3:40:46 PM
STEVEN ROWE, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified by
invitation on HB 69. He said he is a lifelong Alaskan and parent
of three children in the Anchorage School District (ASD) and
supports HB 69 along with an increase to the Base Student
Allocation (BSA). He expressed frustration with the yearly
debates over education funding, which have led to instability
and the removal of advanced academic programs his daughter would
benefit from. He shared that due to recent cuts, his family had
to seek enrichment opportunities outside the district to keep
his daughter engaged.
MR. ROWE said he is a co-owner of Swalling General Contractors
and shared that the quality of Alaska's education system has
become a key factor in workforce recruitment. He recounted a
recent case where a job candidate declined a generous offer due
to Alaska's underfunded schools. He noted that many industry
leaders face similar challenges and emphasized that businesses
are losing talent because families prioritize well-funded
education systems. He urged lawmakers to find a permanent
funding solution, even if it requires implementing taxes. He
emphasized that continued underfunding harms children and drives
families out of state.
3:43:01 PM
MR. ROWE called attention to the growing concern that Alaska is
falling behind other states in education, making it harder to
attract and retain both families and skilled workers. As a
member of industry boards such as the Associated General
Contractors (AGC) and Construction Industry Progress Fund
(CIPF), he stressed that education funding impacts the broader
economy and workforce. He encouraged full support of HB 69 as a
necessary investment in Alaska's future and offered to speak
further with legislators if needed.
3:45:34 PM
CHAIR TOBIN opened public testimony on HB 69.
3:45:57 PM
FRANCIS MCLAUGHLIN, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska,
testified in support of HB 69. He said he is a parent of two
daughters in the Chinese Immersion Program at Scenic Park
Elementary School in Anchorage and emphasized the importance of
consistent education funding. He described the school as
academically strong, diverse, and staffed with excellent
teachers. He stated that language immersion programs cannot be
replicated at home and are directly linked to future career
opportunities, including with the National Security Agency (NSA)
and private sector employers like Wells Fargo. He explained that
public education plays a critical role in building a skilled
workforce and supporting Alaska's economy. He stressed that
strong public schools are essential for economic growth and
noted that most Alaskan families choose public education. He
stated that adequately funding public education is a core
constitutional responsibility of the state and should not
require parents to take time off work to advocate for it. He
warned that without stable funding, successful programs like
Ignite and language immersion are at risk, and one-third of
departing teachers will not return.
3:48:38 PM
CYNDY MIKA, Superintendent, Kodiak Island Borough School
District (KIBSD), Kodiak, Alaska, testified in support of HB 69
and a $1,000 increase to the Base Student Allocation (BSA). She
stated the bill is critical to the future of the district and
its students. Since 2011, KIBSD enrollment has declined by 21
percent, while the number of students with intensive needs has
increased by 286 percent. During the same period, heating oil
prices rose by 30 percent and two-bedroom rental costs increased
by 39 percent.
MS. MIKA reported that for FY26, KIBSD faces an $8 million
deficit, leading to the closure of an elementary school and the
elimination of 23 positions. Since 2023, the district has cut 72
positions, representing 22 percent of its workforce, yet still
struggles to fill teacher vacancies. She explained that
recruitment has become so difficult that KIBSD now sponsors 26
certified teachers from the Philippines to meet staffing needs.
MS. MIKA emphasized that financial uncertainty severely limits
the district's ability to plan responsibly. She highlighted the
importance of HB 69's March 15 funding deadline, which would
allow school districts to make informed financial decisions and
offer stability to students and staff.
MIKKA concluded that the proposed BSA increase is essential not
just for balancing the budget but for preserving educational
quality. She warned that without additional funding, staff
reductions and service gaps will continue to harm students and
urged full support for HB 69.
3:51:20 PM
DAWN COGAN, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified in
support of HB 69 with consideration for correspondence schools.
She expressed gratitude for Alaska's longstanding support of
parental rights and school choice. She emphasized that
homeschooling parents, particularly through programs like IDEA,
are deeply engaged in their children's education. She shared
that her adult childrenone a writer and mother, the other a
foreman in the plumbing and pipefitting tradeare productive
members of society. She thanked the Legislature for increasing
the BSA for the 20252026 school year and urged full funding for
correspondence schools, noting the positive impact these
students have in communities across the state.
3:53:21 PM
PATTY BROWN, representing self, Haines, Alaska, testified in
support of HB 69. She said she is a third-generation public
school educator and shared her experience teaching for 22 years
in rural Alaska. She stated that while no single factor
guarantees student success, multiple elements, such as
curriculum, funding, and teacher support, must work together to
improve outcomes. She said she supports embedding inflation
adjustments in the funding formula and went on to emphasize
accountability through meaningful local assessments and
stakeholder transparency rather than punitive reviews.
MS. BROWN urged minimizing reliance on standardized tests, which
take away from instructional time, and encouraged using
classroom-based assessments aligned with instruction. She
supported the $450 reading proficiency grant and highlighted the
need for strong K12 science programs to boost overall literacy
and math achievement. She concluded by calling for better
teacher compensation, particularly in rural areas, to reflect
the true cost of living and support student success across
Alaska.
3:56:06 PM
JACOB BERA, representing self, Peters Creek, Alaska, testified
in support of HB 69. He said he is a parent of three children in
Anchorage public schools and a teacher. He reported that his
high school, Eagle River High, is preparing to eliminate 6 of
its 30 teaching positions, 20 percent of its staff, after years
of gradual cuts since 2012, when the school had 44 teachers. He
stated that enrollment has declined slightly but not enough to
justify such severe reductions and that creating a workable
master schedule is becoming nearly impossible.
MR. BERA described district-wide impacts, including cuts to his
daughter's middle school, which may lose all middle school
sports, and his youngest child's elementary school, which is
facing the loss of four teachers and its Spanish Immersion
program. He shared that his family is now questioning whether
their children will remain at the schools they once dreamed of
attending. He urged the Legislature to prioritize adequate
school funding and not let ideological debates stall critical
support for neighborhood schools, which serve the majority of
Alaskan families. He concluded by stating that accountability
and reforms cannot be meaningfully addressed until base funding
needs are met.
3:58:49 PM
JULIE ALCORN, representing self, Kenai, Alaska, testified in
support of HB 69. She said she is a counselor with the Kenai
Peninsula School District and a longtime educator and business
owner. She compared public education to running a successful
business, stating that both require early, stable, and adequate
financial planning. She urged the Legislature to finalize
education funding by March, as proposed in the bill, so school
boards can build responsible budgets and offer staff job
security.
MS. ALCOM emphasized the importance of retaining experienced
teachers, noting that raising the BSA and adjusting for
inflation are essential to stabilize schools. She shared that
many educators, including herself, are now experiencing stress
and uncertainty about their jobs, leading them to consider
leaving the profession or the state. She called on lawmakers to
stop the cycle of instability and support those working to
educate Alaska's children.
4:01:24 PM
DAVID BOYLE, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in
opposition to HB 69. He questioned whether increasing K12
education funding would lead to higher student achievement. He
cited Legislative Finance data showing a 34 percent funding
increase since 2006 and argued that HB 69 largely maintains a
system that is not serving all students well. He criticized the
bill's treatment of correspondence students, comparing it to
historical inequities, and called for equitable funding for
alternative education models.
MR. BOYLE raised concerns about restrictions on school choice in
HB 69, Section 1, vague academic performance measures in Section
4, and limitations on student testing comparisons in Section 8.
He opposed increased administrative costs for charter schools in
Section 13 and pointed out the contradiction in Section 32,
which seeks to reduce regulatory burdens while adding new
reporting requirements. He concluded by stating that the bill
appears to prioritize neighborhood schools over educational
options like charter and correspondence programs.
CHAIR TOBIN CHAIR TOBIN stated her belief that historically
Black Americans were counted as three-fifths of a person, not
four-fifths.
4:03:50 PM
CRAIG FREDEEN, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified
in support of HB 69. He said he is a mechanical engineer with
over 28 years of experience designing infrastructure in Alaska.
He argued that raising the BSA would reduce long-term
operational costs for school districts and improve educational
outcomes by allowing for proper maintenance of school
facilities.
MR. FREDEEN explained that budget cuts over the past decade have
severely impacted maintenance departments, leading to
deteriorating infrastructure that harms learning environments
and could trigger constitutional lawsuits. He emphasized that $1
spent on preventative maintenance offsets $3 in emergency or
premature replacement costs. He cited a recent study by the
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning
Engineers (ASHRAE) showing that improved HVAC systems correlated
with higher test scores and reduced absenteeism.
4:06:24 PM
POLLY CARR, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in
support of HB 69 and said she is a 27-year Anchorage resident,
business owner, and parent. She emphasized that strong public
schools are essential to a stable economy and Alaska's future.
She expressed frustration over the Legislature's repeated
failure to act on funding increases, despite years of advocacy.
MS. CARR rejected claims that school funding lacks
accountability, noting that all district budgets are audited and
reviewed by the Department of Education and Early Development.
She criticized state leaders for enacting the Alaska Reads Act
without sufficient funding and argued that underfunding
education is more costly in the long run. She warned that
without action her daughter's school would lose support staff.
She called for leadership that reflects long-term vision and
values.
4:09:03 PM
TRACY FISHBACH, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified
in support of HB 69 and said she is a 28-year Alaska resident
and parent of two Anchorage School District students nearing
graduation. She expressed full support for HB 69 and a $1,000
increase to the Base Student Allocation (BSA). She stated her
willingness to support a smaller Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD),
new taxes, or other revenue measures to fund the increase. She
explained that her family chose to stay in Alaska because of its
strong public schools, but recent declines in services, school
closures, and larger class sizes would have influenced that
decision differently today.
MS. FISHBACH challenged the notion that increased funding
doesn't lead to better outcomes, asserting that hard work,
talent, and investment together drive success. She shared that
her children thrived due to small class sizes and family support
but noted that many students without those advantages risk
falling short of their potential. She urged full support for HB
69, emphasizing the long-term value of investing in all Alaskan
students.
4:11:19 PM
BRIAN SMITH, representing self, Petersburg, Alaska, testified in
support of HB 69. He said he supports HB 69 in its amended form,
calling the $1,000 Base Student Allocation (BSA) increase the
bare minimum. He expressed disappointment that the amendment
removed future inflation adjustments but welcomed the addition
of the March 15 funding deadline. He urged lawmakers to pass the
bill as a necessary compromise to fund schools and invest in
Alaska's children.
4:12:25 PM
CHRISTINA TURMAN, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska,
testified in support of HB 69 with concerns. She stated that the
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District faces a $16 million
deficit and urged legislators to continue working toward
compromise. She expressed appreciation for the BSA increase in
HB 69 and emphasized the need for bipartisan cooperation to pass
a strong, veto-proof education funding bill.
MS. TURMAN advocated for adding transportation funding to HB 69,
noting broad support across party lines. She called on
legislators to use their position to restore long-term stability
to Alaska's schools.
4:14:30 PM
CYNTHIA LAGOUDAKIS, representing self, Petersburg, Alaska,
testified in support of HB 69. She shared her experience caring
for a teen who lost both parents and later needed support from
school staff during a difficult transition. She highlighted how
school personnel provided immediate, comprehensive support in
situations involving bullying and a student at risk of suicide,
demonstrating that schools serve far beyond academic
instruction.
MS. LAGOUDAKIS emphasized that school staff address behavioral
health, food insecurity, homelessness, and more, and should be
fairly compensated for their essential roles. She called for
funding HB 69 to support safe facilities, reasonable class
sizes, and system stability, stressing that the Base Student
Allocation (BSA) had not been significantly increased in over a
decade. She added that access to extracurriculars had a direct,
positive impact on their foster teen's academic turnaround.
4:16:32 PM
MIKE COONS, representing self, Wasilla, Alaska, testified in
opposition to HB 69. He provided four reasons why he does not
support the bill.
4:19:17 PM
RACHAEL POSEY, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified
in support of HB 69. She said she is a lifelong Alaskan and
parent of two Anchorage School District students. She expressed
concern over the lack of consistent school funding in Alaska.
She noted that one-time funding has created instability, leading
to school closures, overcrowded classrooms, and rising teacher
vacancies. Her daughter's middle school began the year at 120
percent capacity without enough chairs in math class.
MS. POSEY emphasized that smaller class sizes improve student
outcomes and that an increase to the Base Student Allocation
(BSA) is needed for districts to hire more teachers. She pointed
out that Alaska is producing fewer new teachers each year and
relies on out-of-state and international recruitment, which
requires stable, predictable funding. She urged support for HB
69, emphasized its benefits for all types of students, and
called on legislators to be ready to override a veto, stating
that Alaska's children cannot afford more delays.
4:21:32 PM
CHERIE TAYLOR, representing self, Soldotna, Alaska, testified in
support of HB 69 but with concerns. She said she is a
homeschooling parent on the Kenai Peninsula and voiced strong
support for the BSA increase. She emphasized the need for
continued support of student education but raised concerns about
the lack of equitable funding for correspondence students,
noting that they do not receive standard BSA multipliers such as
the special education factor.
MS. TAYLOR also questioned the proposed task force in HB 69,
urging that it include voices beyond legislatorsspecifically
from rural, urban, charter, traditional, and correspondence
education communities. She described the accountability required
of homeschool parents, including individualized learning plans,
work samples, and grading. She praised Alaska's educational
flexibility and shared how homeschooling has benefited her
family by allowing for individualized instruction and family
cohesion.
4:23:41 PM
BREE SWANSON, representing self, Kotzebue, Alaska, testified in
support of HB 69. She said she is a mother of four and a
behavioral health worker. She spoke in strong support of HB 69
and the full $1,000 Base Student Allocation (BSA) increase. She
expressed deep concern about the ongoing decline in the
education system, particularly its impact on her eighth-grade
daughter. She noted a direct connection between reduced school
support and the rise in youth mental health and substance abuse
issues.
MS. SWANSON emphasized the central role schools play in rural
communities as safe spaces and stressed the need for stable
staffing, which is undermined by unpredictable funding. She
recalled the continuity of teachers in her own education,
contrasting it with today's high turnover. She called for long-
term solutions, not temporary fixes, and stated her willingness
as a taxpayer to support increased revenue for education. She
urged legislators to prioritize children and pass HB 69.
4:26:15 PM
KATHLEEN YERBICH, representing self, Wasilla, Alaska, testified
on HB 69 with concerns. She expressed appreciation for the work
on HB 69 but raised concerns about provisions that could
negatively impact charter schools. She opposed doubling the
indirect rate from 4 percent to 8 percent, stating it would
divert limited resources from classrooms to district overhead.
She explained that charter schools often pay out of pocket for
services like copier repair and pest controlcosts typically
covered for neighborhood schools.
MS. YERBICH also objected to the provision limiting charter
schools to carrying over only 10 percent of unspent funds,
arguing it penalizes fiscal responsibility. She noted that the
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District recently adopted a
policy allowing charter schools to carry over more than 10
percent and urged the state to consider a similar approach.
Additionally, she criticized the proposed three-hour testing
limit, explaining that students already exceed this time on
assessments like the Alaska STAR exam.
4:28:56 PM
RHONDA PROWELL KITTER, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska,
testified in support of HB 69 with concerns. She said she is a
parent of a first grader at Aquarian Charter School and
treasurer of its Academic Policy Committee. She argued that the
debate over how to fund the Base Student Allocation (BSA) should
not be isolated to education but considered in the context of
the entire state budget. She rejected claims that declining test
scores and absenteeism are reasons to oppose the bill, stating
these issues stem from years of underfunding, which have
increased class sizes and reduced support for educators.
MS. KITTER highlighted that dedicated staff continue to operate
under inadequate budgets that strain resources and student
outcomes. She expressed concern over HB 69, Section 11, which
caps charter schools' budget carryover at 10 percent, warning
that it could limit financial flexibility. She urged legislators
to support HB 69 to give schools the funding and stability
needed to serve Alaska's students.
4:31:16 PM
MEGAN PELTIER, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified
in support of HB 69. She said she is a mother of three Anchorage
School District elementary students and a nearly 40-year Alaska
resident. She shared that her children attend a neighborhood
French Immersion program, which supports literacy and academic
achievement but is now at risk due to inadequate funding.
MS. PELTIER warned that without an increase, her school could
face combination classes at every grade level, some nearing 50
studentsconditions that undermine learning. She stressed the
importance of stable, reliable funding for programs that depend
on visa-sponsored teachers, noting that the current uncertainty
prevents timely hiring. She urged lawmakers to prioritize
education and maintain the $1,000 BSA increase in HB 69, stating
it is long overdue and critical for Alaska's future.
4:33:48 PM
KELLEY POLASKY, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, testified in
support of HB 69 and said she is a homeschooling parent, spoke
in support of increasing the Base Student Allocation (BSA) and
emphasized the value of supporting individualized education
options like homeschooling. She shared that homeschooling has
positively impacted her family by allowing her to tailor
learning to each child's unique strengths and needs.
MS. POLASKY explained that while one child thrived with one-on-
one instruction and now excels in college, another child prefers
structured, traditional settings. She noted that funding cuts
led her family to withdraw from the local school-based gifted
program and homeschool instead, which allowed for continued
academic challenge and flexibility. She urged support for
increased funding and continued recognition of homeschooling
4:35:41 PM
MIGUEL RAMIREZ, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified
in opposition to HB 69. He said he is a public high school
graduate and expressed concern over increasing education funding
without identifying a sustainable revenue source. He opposed
spending beyond available funds, comparing it to writing a check
without money to cover it. He suggested that those supporting a
Base Student Allocation (BSA) increase should advocate for
higher local property taxes rather than state-level funding that
could impact the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD).
MR. RAMIREZ stated that his local school board has made
significant progress reducing its deficit and argued that more
parents are choosing alternatives to brick-and-mortar schools.
He questioned why a recent local government decision opposed
moving money around to pay for deferred maintenance if the
community cares for its children. He encouraged all parties to
work together on education policy solutions.
4:38:21 PM
MIRIAM MEZZETTI, representing self, Eagle River, Alaska,
testified in support of HB 69 with suggestions. She said she is
a 2011 graduate of an Alaskan homeschool correspondence program
and would like HB 69 to consider homeschool programs for
increased funding. She shared her academic achievements as a
product of alternative education in Alaska. She participated in
academic competitions, took college courses through the
University of Alaska system, and scored in the top 0.5 percent
on the PSAT and SAT, qualifying for the National Merit
Scholarship.
MS. MEZZETTI was accepted to multiple prestigious universities
and graduated summa cum laude from Alaska Pacific University
with a 4.0 GPA. She expressed her desire for all Alaskan
studentswhether in public, private, charter, or homeschool
programsto have access to the same level of opportunity and
support she experienced.
4:40:03 PM
CARL JACOBS, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in
support of HB 69 with suggestions. He said he serves on the
board of Anchorage School District's as vice president. The
Anchorage School District (ASD) passed a balanced FY26 budget on
February 25, as required by law, despite ongoing challenges
caused by the Legislature's failure to adjust the foundation
formula for inflation since FY11. He described years of
difficult decisions, including cutting essential programs and
increasing class sizes to remain within statute-defined funding
levels.
MR. JACOBS explained that the ASD budget includes an amendment
showing how a $1,000 Base Student Allocation (BSA) increase
could restore class sizes to 2016 levels, reinstate language
immersion and Ignite programs, bring back sports, and improve
staffing for counselors and librarians. He said it would also
allow for implementation of reading specialists and high-dose
tutoring aligned with the Alaska Reads Act.
MR. JACOBS asked the committee to consider three points before
amending the bill: recognize that the $1,000 BSA is already a
compromise; ensure open enrollment language protects
neighborhood preference and local control; and adopt a two-way
accountability amendment requiring the Legislature to report
annually on hours members spend visiting or volunteering in
public schools. He stated such a report would promote
transparency and help evaluate the impact of education funding.
4:42:20 PM
ANTHONY CRAVALHO, Director, Planning and Development, Maniilaq
Association, Kotzebue, Alaska, testified in support of HB 69. He
said he represents the Maniilaq Association, a coalition of six
regional nonprofits serving over 70,000 Alaskans across 209
communities. He spoke in support of a meaningful increase to the
Base Student Allocation (BSA) through HB 69 and emphasized that
rural schools are central to the communities they serve; when
schools struggle, the impact is felt across health care,
behavioral health, public safety, and workforce recruitment. He
urged the Legislature to work collaboratively to identify
necessary revenue and prioritize the future of Alaska's children
by ensuring stable education funding.
4:43:52 PM
ELAINE RIDLON, Member, Charter School Academic Policy Council
(APC) Board, Houston, Alaska, testified on HB 69 with concerns.
She said she is a charter school parent and member of a charter
school Academic Policy Committee (APC) who has concerns on
several provisions in HB 69. She emphasized the need for more
support in launching charter schools, noting that many strong
proposals are delayed or denied due to lack of local guidance.
MS. RIDLON opposed doubling the indirect rate from 4 percent to
8 percent, explaining that charter schools already cover
building, utility, and operational costs that traditional public
schools do not. She also opposed the 10 percent cap on carryover
funds, arguing it penalizes fiscal responsibility. She supported
the bill's inclusion of an expedited appeal process for denied
or revoked charter contracts. She concluded by affirming that
charter schools are public schools serving public students and
called on legislators to protect funding that directly supports
students and their learning environments.
4:46:30 PM
AUDRI JIRAK, representing self, Wasilla, Alaska, testified on HB
69 with concerns. She said she is a parent of a student at
American Charter Academy and expressed concern that sections of
HB 69 could negatively impact charter schools. She opposed
increasing the indirect rate from 4 percent to 8 percent,
stating it would divert funds away from classrooms, teachers,
and student resources. She noted that charter schools like hers
are responsible for covering all building, utility, staffing,
and operational expenses without district support.
MS. JIRAK also objected to the provision limiting charter
schools to carrying over only 10 percent of unspent funds,
highlighting that the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
already allows greater carryover with approval. She referenced a
recent Harvard study showing Alaska's charter schools lead the
nation in math and reading performance and urged legislators to
remove roadblocks and protect funding so charter schools can
continue to thrive and serve students effectively.
4:49:14 PM
KRISTEN GRIESER, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, testified in
support of HB 69 with concerns. She said she has been a
homeschool parent for 13 years and shared her experience using a
state correspondence program for the past nine years. She
described working in partnership with certified teachers,
submitting learning plans and progress reports, and tailoring
her children's education to their individual learning styles.
Her son, now a senior taking classes at the University of Alaska
Southeast, and her daughters have benefited academically and
personally from the flexibility homeschooling provides.
MS. GRIESER emphasized that her children are avid readers,
engaged in extracurriculars like theater, part-time work, and
church volunteeringactivities supported by the time flexibility
of homeschooling. She stressed that education should be
accessible through multiple pathways and that students thrive in
different learning environments. She supported the BSA increase
in HB 69, stating that, if applied equitably, it will benefit
all students across Alaska.
4:51:39 PM
HANNAH MURKIN, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified
in opposition to HB 69. She said that while all Alaska school
districts could benefit from a Base Student Allocation (BSA)
increase, HB 69 does not fully address the needs of all publicly
funded students, specifically those in correspondence programs.
She noted that the current $1,000 BSA increase results in a
lower practical funding increase for correspondence students and
advocated for increasing the correspondence funding factor from
0.9 to 1.0, which would direct an additional $736,000 to
districts offering these programs.
MS. MURKIN stated that correspondence programs already measure
academic achievement through work samples and progress reports
in partnership with certified teachers, providing
accountability. She recommended that the proposed task force on
education funding and accountability include representation from
rural, urban, charter, correspondence, and traditional education
sectors. She concluded by urging improvements to HB 69 to ensure
equitable support for all students and called for identifying a
revenue source that does not rely on the Permanent Fund Dividend
(PFD).
4:53:45 PM
SUSANNE ALDRIDGE, representing self, Kenai, Alaska, testified in
support of HB 69 with comments. She said she is a homeschool
educator, mother, fifth-generation Alaskan, and small business
owner and spoke to the accountability already in place for
homeschooling families. She described the structured
collaboration between parents and certified teachers, including
individualized learning plans and required work samples.
MS. ALDRIDGE shared how her family's educational choices, such
as Civil Air Patrol, private music and archery lessons, and
community sports, not only support her children's development
but also stimulate the local economy by reinvesting student
funds into businesses and services across the state. She
emphasized that homeschooling goes beyond financesit
strengthens community connections and contributes to statewide
educational and economic success.
4:55:37 PM
JAMES BOTT, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in
support of HB 69. He said he is the parent of two West Anchorage
High School students and spoke in support of HB 69 and a $1,000
increase to the Base Student Allocation (BSA), along with
inflation adjustments going forward. He noted that both of his
sons play hockey, a program threatened by continued
underfunding, and warned that losing such activities would drive
families, his own included, to question staying in Alaska.
MR. BOTT stated that he has seen a steady decline in school
quality over his 19 years in Anchorage, including overcrowded
classrooms, reduced teacher morale, and cuts to vital programs.
He emphasized that the Anchorage School District is reaching a
breaking point and pointed out that the Legislature approved its
own salary increase due to inflationan argument he believes
applies equally to education funding. He urged lawmakers to pass
HB 69 and end the annual funding uncertainty faced by school
districts.
4:58:00 PM
KIM HANISCH, Superintendent, Unalaska City School District,
Unalaska, Alaska, testified in support of HB 69 and urged the
Legislature to ensure it includes a $1,000 increase to the Base
Student Allocation (BSA). She shared that the Unalaska City
School District (UCSD), one of Alaska's higher-achieving
districts, faces a 12 percent budget deficit for FY26. Without
the full BSA increase, the district will rely on only a $450
increase to build its budget, which will require transferring
restricted funds, cutting a high school teaching position,
increasing elementary class sizes, and making widespread
reductions.
MS. HANISCH explained that every cut harms students and staff
reducing not just instruction but also the presence of caring
adults in schools. Cuts to custodians, librarians, and student
activities degrade the learning environment and lead to staff
burnout. She emphasized that these reductions directly impact
the heart of the community and called on the Legislature to pass
HB 69 with the full BSA increase to protect educational services
and student success.
5:00:46 PM
CISCO MERCADO, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified
in support of HB 69 with suggestions, stating he is not a parent
but supports reduced Permanent Fund Dividends (PFDs) if the
money goes toward education. He acknowledged that HB 69 is not
perfect but described it as a good compromise. He urged the
committee to address the root cause of inadequate school
funding, which he attributed to current and past governors and
legislators failing to fund the Base Student Allocation (BSA)
adequately. He recommended adding a provision to adjust the BSA
for inflation or cost of living using a standard economic
metric, so future legislators are not required to revisit the
issue repeatedly, and education funding does not continue to be
the first area cut.
5:03:02 PM
MARY CATHERINE MARTIN, representing self, Juneau, Alaska,
testified in support of HB 69. She testified as a parent of two
young children in public school and expressed concern about the
long-term effects of unreliable education funding. She shared
that her kindergartner began school without an assigned teacher
due to budget uncertainty caused by the governor's funding veto.
She emphasized that such instability harms both students and
educator morale. She urged full funding of HB 69 to ensure
reliable support for schools and to help retain families in
Alaska.
5:05:25 PM
ANJALI MADERIA, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified
in support of HB 69. She said she is a parent of three children,
two currently enrolled in Anchorage School District special
programs and one entering kindergarten next year. She stated
that underfunding has severely impacted enrichment programs,
noting that the highly gifted program lost 78 percent of its
teaching staff last year due to lack of support. She described
teacher burnout from large class sizes and staffing shortages,
which have affected basic activities like organizing a science
fair or ensuring substitute coverage. She urged full funding of
HB 69 to help retain families like hers in Alaska, emphasizing
that educational quality is the primary factor in their decision
to stay or leave.
5:08:15 PM
MATTHEW FORESTER, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska,
testified in support of HB 69 with concerns. He testified as a
homeschool parent of three daughters and emphasized the
importance of respecting all forms of public education,
including traditional, charter, and correspondence schools. He
supported HB 69 for raising the Base Student Allocation (BSA)
but expressed concern about the proposed task force, stating it
should include representatives from diverse educational
backgrounds and communities, not just legislators. He shared
success stories from his own homeschooling experience,
highlighting his children's academic and professional
achievements. He urged the legislature to ensure equitable
treatment of all schooling models and to revise the task force
language to reduce partisanship.
5:10:57 PM
ARIANNA MARTINEZ, representing self, Sterling, Alaska, testified
in support of HB 69 with concerns. She said she is a homeschool
parent of four sons and moved to Alaska six years ago
specifically for its school choice options. She supported
increased funding for all students but expressed concern that HB
69 is not equitable for all school types. She called for changes
to the task force, geographic considerations, and the bill's
overall structure to better reflect diverse educational models.
She supported passing the bill with funding but urged further
refinement to ensure fairness.
5:12:05 PM
BRIAN LYKE, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in
support of HB 69. He said he is a lifelong Anchorage resident,
public school teacher, and parent of two daughters who attend
their neighborhood school, where his wife also works as a school
counselor. He expressed frustration with the legislature's
failure to adequately fund public education and emphasized that,
as an educator, he sees both the potential and the significant
needs of students. He highlighted the broader community and
economic benefits of strong education funding. He urged the
committee to pass HB 69 with the full $1,000 increase to the
Base Student Allocation (BSA).
5:14:52 PM
DAVID HALBROOK, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified
on HB 69. He said he is the parent of three children enrolled in
the IDEA correspondence program and spoke in support of
homeschooling and parental choice in education. He emphasized
that correspondence programs like IDEA and Raven reflect
Alaska's cooperative independence and have positively impacted
his family's educational experience in Fairbanks. He urged the
legislature not to target correspondence programs in education
reform, stating they are not the source of the system's
financial challenges. He encouraged lawmakers to focus on root
causes and support parents as primary decision-makers in their
children's education.
5:17:12 PM
SARAH LEWIS, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified in
support of HB 69 and as a parent of three school-age children
and urged the Senate Education Committee to include at least a
$1,000 increase to the Base Student Allocation (BSA) in HB 69.
She criticized opposition to funding increases and clarified
that HB 69, as originally written, only adjusts for inflation,
restoring the 2025 BSA to 2012 spending power. She described the
impact of repeated school closures in Fairbanks, including her
children's school, and shared frustration that a well-supported
magnet school proposal failed due to lack of funds. She
emphasized that investment in education is essential economic
development and called on the legislature to fulfill its
responsibility.
5:20:10 PM
ANDREW LEMZ, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in
support of HB 69 and urged swift passage of the bill with the
full $1,000 increase to the Base Student Allocation (BSA). He
shared that he and his wife have lived in Alaska for over 20
years, work as professional consultants on major infrastructure
projects, and are raising two daughters in the Anchorage School
District, including one in the Chinese Immersion program at
Scenic Park Elementary. He expressed concern about the future of
immersion programs and emphasized their value in attracting and
retaining professionals. He called on the committee to act
quickly to support education funding so districts can plan for
fall.
5:22:07 PM
PAUL RIOUX, representing self, Sitka, Alaska, testified in
support of HB 69 with concerns and reminded the committee that
the Alaska Constitution requires the legislature to establish
and maintain a public education system. He stated that Alaska's
schools are visibly eroding due to failure to adjust funding for
inflation. The failure of the legislature to fund education has
created a burden that has unfairly shifted to administrators. He
urged legislators to make a focused funding plan to ensure
students, who are future leaders, receive the education they
need. He supported addressing funding in HB 69 and recommended
saving other policy issues for separate legislation.
5:23:56 PM
WHITNEY WIGREN, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified
in support of HB 69 and was joined by her son Landon, a third
grader in the Japanese Immersion Program, who asked the
committee to increase education funding. She is a graduate of
the same immersion program at Sand Lake Elementary and credited
it for her educational and professional success, including her
current role as an FBI intelligence analyst. She stated her
family returned to Anchorage specifically for the program and
warned they would leave the district if it were eliminated. She
urged the legislature to fund education adequately, stating that
failure to raise the Base Student Allocation (BSA) over the last
decade is unacceptable and harms future opportunities for
Alaska's children.
5:26:16 PM
SENATOR KIEHL thanked Ms. Wigren's son, stating "well done" in
Japanese.
5:26:37 PM
ALYSSA LOGAN, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in
support of HB 69 and urged the legislature to increase the Base
Student Allocation (BSA) by at least $1,000. She is a fourth-
generation Alaskan, a graduate of Anchorage Public Schools and
the University of Alaska, a current teacher, and a parent of two
children in the Anchorage School District. She shared that her
daughter recently asked to testify to save the Spanish Immersion
Program, highlighting how normal it has become for children to
plead for the survival of their own education programs. She
stated that chronic underfunding has led to larger class sizes,
fewer teachers, and the loss of vital programs, contributing to
a demoralizing environment for educators.
5:29:10 PM
BRANDY HARTY, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified in
support of HB 69. She said she is a member of the Fairbanks
North Star School Board and that the district passed its
recommended budget the previous night, which includes millions
in cuts and an increase in the pupil-teacher ratio by one. She
emphasized that even with assumed one-time funding equal to last
year's, class sizes still had to grow. She noted that millions
of dollars district programs were made last year also. In her
three years on the board, she has only seen cuts and has
repeatedly voted for budgets she believes are harmful to
students and educators. She urged the legislature to increase
the Base Student Allocation (BSA) by at least $1,000 as a
necessary first step and warned that continued underfunding is
driving families like hers to consider leaving Alaska.
5:31:17 PM
DORA WILSON, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in
support of HB 69. She said she is a therapeutic foster parent,
community outreach manager for IBEW (International Brotherhood
of Electrical Workers) Local 1647, and elected member of the
Anchorage School Board. She stated that flat education funding
since 2017, combined with rising inflation, has severely
impacted Alaska's schools, leading to staffing shortages and
limited student resources. She emphasized the importance of
extracurricular activities and strong academics in preparing
students for the workforce, particularly in skilled trades. She
urged support for a $1,000 increase to the Base Student
Allocation (BSA) to prevent further program cuts and to maintain
class sizes, calling it a critical investment in Alaska's future
workforce.
5:33:54 PM
KRISTINA VAN HOOGMOED, representing self, Kodiak, Alaska,
testified in support of HB 69. She said she is a former special
education teacher in Kodiak who moved to Alaska in 2020 due to
the respect shown by the Kodiak School District. She expressed
concern over the district's current $8 million deficit and the
broader issue of funding not keeping pace with inflation. She
criticized the argument that Alaska "can't afford" to fund
schools, noting the contradiction of distributing large
Permanent Fund Dividends while education remains underfunded.
She urged the legislature to work together to fully fund public
education and pass HB 69, stating that Alaskans can solve tough
challenges when committed.
5:36:02 PM
TRACY SCHAFFER, representing self, Kotzebue, Alaska, testified
in support of HB 69 and emphasized the importance of school
funding for students in remote villages who do not have access
to school choice. She stated that village schools serve as the
center of community life, providing both education and critical
social-emotional support. She noted that retaining educators is
vital for student success, especially when teachers return year
after year. She attributed struggles in rural schools to flat
funding since 2017, despite cost increases of up to 40 percent
in some areas.
5:37:34 PM
ANDREA SCOTT, representing self, Wasilla, Alaska, testified in
opposition to HB 69 with suggestions. She said she is a parent
of students enrolled in CyberLynx, a statewide correspondence
program through the Nenana School District, and expressed
concern about language in HB 69 that may restrict enrollment to
a student's district of residence. The speaker emphasized that
statewide correspondence programs have long provided essential
educational choices for both rural and road system families. She
warned that forcing students to switch programs would disrupt
learning, affect rollover funds, and sever long-standing
relationships with resource teachers. She urged the legislature
to revise the bill's language to protect continued access to
statewide correspondence schools and to avoid trade-offs that
compromise student stability.
5:39:59 PM
BRIDGET MCBRIDE, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified
in support of HB 69. She said she is a lifelong Alaskan and
parent of school-age children. She acknowledged the importance
of supporting all school types, including charter and
correspondence programs but emphasized the critical need to fund
neighborhood public schools that serve the most vulnerable
students. She stated that inadequate funding threatens
manageable class sizes, teacher retention, and educational
opportunities. She expressed concern that continued underfunding
may force her family to reconsider staying in Alaska, despite
her own positive experience as an Anchorage School District
graduate.
5:41:38 PM
ASHLEY MINAEI, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified
in support of HB 69. She said she is a lifelong Alaskan,
Anchorage School District graduate, and parent of three young
children. She and her husband, both public servants, returned to
Alaska to raise their family in the strong, supportive community
they experienced growing upnot for financial incentives like
the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD). She emphasized that a well-
funded education system is essential to building vibrant
communities and retaining young professionals. She shared that
even her mother, a retired award-winning teacher, would not
choose to stay in Alaska under current conditions due to
inadequate support for educators. She urged the legislature to
invest in families and communities by fully funding public
education through HB 69.
5:44:06 PM
RICK MORGAN, President, Mat-Su Classified Employees Association,
Palmer, Alaska, testified in support of HB 69 with suggestions.
He said the Mat-Su Classified Employees Association represents
over 500 education support professionals in the Mat-Su Valley
and urged the committee to pass HB 69 with a $1,000 increase to
the BSA. He stated that years of flat funding amid rising costs
have led to staff layoffs, program cuts, larger class sizes, and
school closures, placing schools in crisis. He called for
linking the BSA to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to prevent
future shortfalls and recommended a 70-30 funding split to
prioritize direct classroom support. He emphasized that Alaska
has the resources to fund schools without sacrificing Permanent
Fund Dividends (PFDs).
5:46:08 PM
WINTER MARSHALL-ALLEN, representing self, Homer, Alaska,
testified in support of HB 69 with concerns. She said she is a
special education teacher and expressed appreciation for
amendments aimed at more equitable funding across all public
education platforms. She stated that flat funding has had a
direct impact on her ability to provide legally mandated special
education services due to a lack of paraprofessional support and
resources. She emphasized that quality education is a
constitutional right in Alaska and called for solutions that
make education funding inflation-proof. She voiced strong
support for HB 69 and urged bipartisan collaboration to
stabilize schools and support both teachers and education
support professionals (ESPs) facing job insecurity.
5:48:29 PM
SHARON HOLLAND, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified
in support of HB 69 with concerns. She said she is a longtime
member of the charter school community at Aquarian Charter
School in Anchorage, where she has served as a parent,
paraprofessional, and currently as a teacher librarian. She
described rising class sizes and staffing shortages and
expressed support for the proposed $1,000 increase to the BSA,
noting it would help maintain manageable class sizes and support
students and staff. She raised concerns about the proposed
increase in indirect costs from 4 to 8 percent and suggested a
phased implementation. She also requested revisions to the
carryforward cap for charter schools, emphasizing the need to
save for planned and unforeseen expenses such as facility
repairs or natural disasters. She urged support for HB 69 with
adjustments to the amendments she outlined.
5:50:47 PM
DIANA LEINBERGER, representing self, Fairbank, Alaska, testified
in support of HB 69 and emphasized the legislature's
constitutional obligation to maintain a system of public schools
open to all children in Alaska. She stated that adequate
funding, including a meaningful increase to the BSA, is
essential to meet this obligation. She shared that her
daughter's school is closing, a result of ongoing tough
decisions driven by stagnant funding rather than solely
declining enrollment. She urged the legislature to pass HB 69
and implement a permanent BSA increase to sustain strong
schools, communities, and the state's future.
5:53:05 PM
CHAIR TOBIN closed public testimony on HB 69.
5:53:51 PM
CHAIR TOBIN held HB 69 in committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|