Legislature(2025 - 2026)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
01/29/2025 03:30 PM Senate EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation(s): Education Funding Impact on Anchorage Teachers | |
| Presentation(s): Fairbanks North Star Borough School District Update | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
January 29, 2025
3:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Löki Tobin, Chair
Senator Jesse Bjorkman
Senator Jesse Kiehl
Senator Mike Cronk
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Gary Stevens, Vice Chair
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Representative Maxine Dibert
Representative Stapp
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION(S): EDUCATION FUNDING IMPACT ON ANCHORAGE TEACHERS
- HEARD
PRESENTATION(S): FAIRBANKS NORTH STAR BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
UPDATE
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
CORY AIST, President
Anchorage Education Association
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Offered the presentation Education Funding
Impact on Anchorage Teachers.
LUKE MEINERT, Superintendent
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-presented the Fairbanks North Star Borough
School District Update.
MELISSA BURNETT, President
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
Board of Education
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-presented the Fairbanks North Star Borough
School District Update.
SHARON HANSEN, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of school funding.
ERIKA BURR, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of school funding.
CHRISTINA TURMAN, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of school funding.
ROZLYN GRADY-WYCHE, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of school funding.
MOLLY PROUE, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of school funding.
AMY SKRABA, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of school funding.
JACQUELINE MUEHLBAUER, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of school funding.
CHRISTINA RIED, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of school funding.
REBECCA SIEGEL, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of school funding.
ASHLEY MINAEI, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of school funding.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:30:15 PM
CHAIR TOBIN called the Senate Education Standing Committee
meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. Present at the called to order were
Senators Bjorkman, Cronk, Kiehl, and Chair Tobin.
^PRESENTATION(S): EDUCATION FUNDING IMPACT ON ANCHORAGE TEACHERS
PRESENTATION(S): EDUCATION FUNDING IMPACT ON ANCHORAGE TEACHERS
3:32:20 PM
CHAIR TOBIN announced the presentation Education Funding Impact
on Anchorage Teachers.
3:32:40 PM
CORY AIST, President, Anchorage Education Association, Anchorage,
Alaska, Offered the presentation Education Funding Impact on
Anchorage Teachers. He stated he began teaching in 1996 with the
Anchorage Education Association (AEA) and Anchorage School
District (ASD), spending 10 years at Muldoon Elementary, a Title
I school, and 14 years at Polaris K12. He has taught all
elementary grade levels over his 29-year career. He described
Alaska's public education system as being in crisis, citing low
student outcomes, record-high class sizes and special education
caseloads, uncompetitive conditions compared to Lower 48 urban
districts, and an increase in classrooms led by long-term
substitutes or non-certified staff.
3:34:07 PM
MR. AIST moved to slide 2 and stated that inaction by Alaska's
government is worsening the state's educational crisis, with no
meaningful steps taken to improve student outcomes. He emphasized
that teachers are leaving both the state and the profession at
unsustainable rates, with Anchoragehome to over 42,000 students
experiencing the most severe impacts. He indicated he would share
data to illustrate how this teacher shortage is affecting student
performance and why urgent legislative action is being demanded
by families and communities.
3:34:56 PM
MR. AIST moved to slide 3 [5] and reported that in the past year,
400 educators in the Anchorage School District (ASD) resigned,
retired, or transferred to non-teaching roles, contributing to
over 1,500 departures in four yearshalf of ASD's certificated
staff. He noted that these figures do not include those moving
into principal or district roles, which adds another 20 to 50
annually. He highlighted the unsustainable turnover rate among
early career educators: 48 percent of those who resigned last
year were in their first five years, and 42 percent were in their
first three years. Currently, 35 percent of ASD teachers are
within their first five years, and 26 percent are in their first
three. He stated that while early career teachers bring energy,
they are overwhelmed by large class sizes, limited time for
individualized instruction, and increasing behavioral and school-
wide management challenges.
3:36:53 PM
MR. AIST moved to slide 4 and stated that the beginning of the
school year is critical for establishing classroom tone, building
community, and setting expectations. He emphasized that the
growing number of unfilled classrooms is disrupting this process
and significantly impacting student learning.
3:37:15 PM
CHAIR TOBIN referenced a figure from the previous slide showing
that it costs over $27,000 to manage a teacher resignation and
asked for a breakdown of what contributes to that amount.
3:37:33 PM
MR. AIST explained that the $27,000 figure was provided by the
Anchorage School District as an estimate of the cost to recruit a
single educator from outside the area. He stated that this
includes travel, staff time, hiring incentives, and related
expenses, with the district estimating it spends over $10 million
annually on recruitment efforts.
3:38:09 PM
MR. AIST moved to slide 5 [6] which presents results from an
October 2024 Anchorage Education Association survey of educators
regarding workload. He noted that over 2,160 respondentsmore
than two-thirds of ASD certificated staffreported feeling either
overwhelmed, unable to sustain their workload, or only "so-so"
about it. He emphasized that these levels of stress, driven by
increased class sizes and caseloads, have a direct impact on
educator retention.
3:39:15 PM
MR. AIST moved to slide 6 [7] and explained that the survey also
asked educators to rate morale within their school buildings, not
just their personal morale. He noted that the responsesranging
from very high to very lowshow a clear link between increasing
caseloads, heavy workloads, and declining morale among staff.
3:39:48 PM
MR. AIST moved to slide 7 [8] and addressed survey responses on
work-life balance, noting that educators consistently report
difficulty maintaining balance due to job demands. He stated that
work-life balance is a key factor in teacher retention, alongside
financial and retirement considerations. He emphasized that
educators are overwhelmed by tasks such as student support,
grading, and managing behavior, making it increasingly hard to
sustain their roles.
3:40:32 PM
SENATOR KIEHL asked for clarification how many certified staff
were surveyed, the method of survey, and how many were returned.
MR. AIST explained that the survey was conducted using
SurveyMonkey and distributed to all approximately 3,000 Anchorage
Education Association educators. He stated that they received
nearly 1,100 responses, or about one-third of the total
membership. He noted that survey results were extrapolated to
reflect the full group for reporting purposes and offered to
provide the raw data if requested.
3:41:41 PM
MR. AIST continued on slide 7 [8] and stated that high educator
turnover significantly affects students and families in several
ways. He explained that new teachers need time to learn
curriculum, policies, and school practices, which slows
instructional effectiveness. He emphasized that students lose
valuable relationships when teachers resign, and those
connections are critical for attendance and engagement. He added
that veteran educators often sustain school culture and student
programs, and their departure disrupts long-standing activities
that motivate and inspire students.
3:42:37 PM
MR. AIST moved to slide 8 [9] and stated that the ongoing
staffing crisis is causing larger class sizes, more frequent and
severe student behavior issues, and high absenteeismall of which
contribute to declining student outcomes. He cited Department of
Education and Early Development (DEED) data showing statewide
performance remains low and argued that outcomes would improve
with a highly qualified educator in every classroom. He
identified three consistently proven factors that most influence
student success: smaller class sizes, strong family involvement,
and high-quality certificated educators. He noted that curriculum
and assessment tools are not among the leading indicators. He
added that assessment results are skewed because high-performing
students can opt out, and frequent changes in state testing tools
over the past decade make year-to-year comparisons invalid.
3:43:47 PM
MR. AIST moved to slide 9 [10] and stated that educators often
face negative rhetoricsuch as accusations of mismanagement,
selfishness, or being overpaidwhich undermines morale and
contributes to the broader education crisis. He emphasized that
such narratives make educators feel unsupported and undervalued,
leading many to leave Alaska for better compensation, defined
benefit retirement systems in other states, or to exit the
profession entirely. He clarified that his advocacy is not for
educators alone but for students, families, and communities,
stressing that investment in education strengthens the economy
and community wellbeing. He concluded that accountability must be
shared among all stakeholders, and called on the legislature to
fulfill its role by funding smaller class sizes, reduced special
education caseloads, and retention efforts, including programs
like the Alaska Reads Act and national board certification
supplements. He urged collective action to ensure a certificated
educator remains in every Alaska classroom.
3:47:37 PM
At ease.
^PRESENTATION(S): FAIRBANKS NORTH STAR BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
UPDATE
PRESENTATION(S): FAIRBANKS NORTH STAR BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
UPDATE
3:48:14 PM
CHAIR TOBIN reconvened the meeting and announced a Fairbanks
North Star Borough School District Update.
3:48:34 PM
LUKE MEINERT, Superintendent, Fairbanks North Star Borough School
District (FNSBSD), Fairbanks, Alaska, Co-presented the Fairbanks
North Star Borough School District Update. He introduced
himself.
MELISSA BURNETT, President, Fairbanks North Star Borough School
District Board of Education, Fairbanks, Alaska, Co-presented the
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District Update. She
introduced herself.
3:49:00 PM
MR. MEINERT moved to slide 2 and began by highlighting the
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District's accomplishments
despite facing severe fiscal constraints. He outlined plans to
discuss the district's recent budget impacts, including staffing
and program cuts over the past five years, while reinforcing the
district's commitment to transparency and accountability through
clear, publicly shared goals. He shared a personal connection to
the education system, noting he has two children in public
schools and a wife who teaches in the district. He added that he
is a 20-year Alaska educator with experience in both rural and
urban districts, including Aleutians East and Yukon-Koyukuk,
providing him with a broad understanding of statewide education
challenges.
3:50:19 PM
MS. BURNETT moved to side 2 - 5 and introduced herself and the
current board members. She provided an overview of the district's
school options, which include 15 elementary schools (Pre-K5), K
8 programs, seven secondary schools (grades 612), five charter
schools, and five additional schools of choice. She highlighted
several schools recognized as Alaska Purple Star Schools for
their support of military-connected students, including recent
designations for Denali Elementary, Hutchison High, North Pole
Middle, and others, with Ladd Elementary as the current honoree
through 2026.
3:52:36 PM
MR. MEINERT stated that Fairbanks has the highest number of
Purple Star Schools in Alaska, a distinction the district takes
pride in. He noted that principals are encouraged to apply for
the designation and establish dedicated support teams to assist
military-connected families as they transition in and out of
local schools.
3:52:58 PM
MS. BURNETT moved to slide 6, Enrollment. She reported that for
the 20242025 school year, Fairbanks North Star Borough School
District has 5,601 students enrolled in grades Pre-K through 5
and 6,204 in secondary grades, totaling 11,805 students. She
noted this reflects a decrease of 650 students from the previous
year.
3:53:20 PM
MR. MEINERT moved to slide 7, a graph on Neighborhood School
Enrollment 2007- 2025. He addressed the district's ongoing
enrollment decline, noting a shift in student distribution,
including increased participation in charter schools and the
district's BEST Homeschool Program. He clarified that contrary to
recent narratives, most of the district's enrollment loss is not
due to students switching to private or non-district homeschool
programs. He stated that 70 percent of the enrollment decline is
due to families moving out of state, particularly young families,
reflecting broader demographic trends seen in Fairbanks, Alaska,
and nationally. He emphasized that this decline is contributing
to significant annual financial impacts on the district's budget.
3:54:37 PM
MS. BURNETT moved to slide 8 and stated that last year's focus
for the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District was
developed collaboratively between the school board,
administration, and Superintendent Meinert. She noted that the
district established clear and transparent goals centered on
three key areas: literacy, school culture and climate, and
student attendance.
3:55:00 PM
MR. MEINERT moved to slide 9, Literacy, charts showing mCLASS
data. He reported that the 20232024 school year marked the first
year of Alaska Reads Act implementation, and the Fairbanks North
Star Borough School District saw strong literacy gains among K3
students, as measured by the mCLASS assessment. He highlighted a
23 percent growth in reading achievement across all three early
grade levels and noted that this progress has continued into the
current year. He added that Fairbanks expanded literacy efforts
beyond K3, implementing reading interventions at the middle and
high school levels, including walk-to-read programs and dedicated
reading classes to ensure students graduate with reading
proficiency.
3:56:16 PM
CHAIR TOBIN noted that some districts have reported challenges
implementing the after-school and summer programs required by the
Alaska Reads Act. She asked for an update on how the Fairbanks
North Star Borough School District is managing these components
of the legislation.
3:56:32 PM
MR. MEINERT acknowledged that the Fairbanks North Star Borough
School District is also struggling to provide after-school and
summer programs required by the Alaska Reads Act. He explained
that a grant helped support these programs last year, but that
funding was not renewed for the current year. He emphasized that
the Alaska Reads Act is an effective accountability system
showing clear results in Fairbanks and elsewhere, and that
continued funding is essential to maintain progress. He shared
that the state flagged Fairbanks' reading intervention groups as
too large, which the district attributed to a shortage of
educators and support staffan issue that could be addressed with
increased, targeted funding or adjustments to the Base Student
Allocation (BSA).
3:57:49 PM
MR. MEINERT moved to slide 10, Attendance. He discussed student
attendance as a key district goal following the COVID-19
pandemic, noting that like many other districts, Fairbanks has
struggled to restore consistent in-person attendance. He
emphasized that regular attendancedefined as students being
present at least 90 percent of the time, including excused and
unexcused absencesis particularly challenging in Alaska due to
travel for sports, medical needs, and other logistical barriers.
He reported strong improvement in attendance rates, which he
attributed to increased family engagement. The district's Student
Support Services team proactively called over 1,000 families
before the school year began to identify and address potential
attendance barriers, such as transportation or food insecurity.
He also highlighted the use of digital tools like PowerSchool and
ParentSquare to send regular reminders and messages to families,
reinforcing the importance of daily attendance and making
students feel welcome in school.
3:59:49 PM
CHAIR TOBIN asked whether the programs Fairbanks is using to
address chronic absenteeism would be at risk without additional
funding in the current year.
MR. MEINERT confirmed that the programs supporting efforts to
reduce chronic absenteeism are at risk without additional funding
this year. He stated that continued budget cuts have already
affected staffing, and further reductions would likely lead to
the loss of key programs that help improve attendance and
literacy. He cautioned that eliminating these supports would
result in negative trends in both areas.
4:00:39 PM
MR. MEINERT moved to slide 11, Culture and Climate, showing
graphs of overall perceptions of FNSBSD. He stated that survey
results consistently show staff, students, and families rate
Fairbanks schools with an A or B average, countering the
narrative that families are dissatisfied with public education.
He emphasized that climate survey data demonstrates strong
community support for local schools. He noted the district is
transitioning from its own internal survey to the Alaska
Association of School Boards (AASB) climate survey this year to
allow for statewide comparison and improved data consistency.
4:01:25 PM
MS. BURNETT moved to slide 12, This Year's Areas of Focus, and
highlighted continued growth in literacy, especially through the
district's implementation of the Alaska Reads Act and emphasized
a strong focus on K5 student achievement. She shared that a
successful pilot program is underway in a sixth-grade classroom,
with plans to expand it districtwide. She also emphasized the
district's commitment to family engagement, working to rebuild
trust and strengthen partnerships with families. She praised the
ParentSquare platform for improving communication, noting its
ease of use and real-time interaction between families and
teachers, which has enhanced collaboration across the district.
4:02:55 PM
MR. MEINERT moved to slide 13, Growth Targets for 2024-2025, an
example screenshot of a spreadsheet FNSBSD uses for goals. He
explained the district's structured process for setting and
monitoring school-level goals, emphasizing that tracking progress
is just as important as setting targets. He shared that schools
create action plans aligned with district goals at the start of
the year, using baseline data collected in the fall, followed by
winter and spring check-ins to assess progress and make necessary
adjustments. He stated that this system has been effective, with
all but three schools meeting at least two out of three goals
last yeara result he described as excellent.
CHAIR TOBIN asked whether the structured goal-setting and
accountability system used in FNSBSD is common across Alaska or
if it is a unique approach within the state.
MR. MEINERT responded that the use of accountability systems and
growth tracking is very typical across Alaska school districts.
He stated that the perception that districts lack goals or
transparency is a myth, noting that many districts already have
strong internal processes. He emphasized the need for clear
expectations from the legislature so that districts can align
efforts accordingly and demonstrate measurable outcomes using
existing data.
4:04:52 PM
MS. BURNETT moved to slide 14, District Data Dashboards. She
highlighted the strength of the Fairbanks North Star Borough
School District's data dashboard, describing it as one of the
best available among school districts. She stated that it
includes comprehensive information such as enrollment, graduation
rates, school climate assessments, and discipline data, with
records going back over a decade to 2011. She emphasized the
dashboard's user-friendly design, making it easily accessible for
parents and the public to explore key data about district
performance.
4:05:36 PM
MS. BURNETT moved to slide 16, Budget Timeline and outlined the
FNSBSD's annual budget timeline, which aligns with state and
borough timelines from February to June. She explained that the
district receives a proposed budget from administration in
February, refines it through April 1, submits it to the borough,
and then reviews the borough's changes before submitting the
final version to the state and governor. She emphasized the
difficulty of budgeting based on unknowns, noting that the
district's current $16 million deficit assumes continued $681
one-time state funding and $58 million in borough contributions.
She recalled that after last year's governor's vetoes, the
district faced an unanticipated $4 million shortfall post-
submission, underscoring how delayed funding decisions make it
extremely challenging for districts to responsibly finalize and
implement budgets. She said knowing funding amounts before June
is instrumental to a school district's ability to budget.
4:07:47 PM
SENATOR KIEHL asked for an estimate of how much staff time FNSBSD
spends on budget revisions, rewriting, and scenario planning due
to funding uncertainties.
4:08:12 PM
MR. MEINERT responded that budget revisions and scenario planning
have consumed months of staff time, estimating that nearly half
of his and his core cabinet's time in recent years has been
focused on addressing budget cuts, school closures, and other
fiscal challenges. He shared that the district has again begun
exploring the consolidation of five schools and expressed a
strong desire to shift focus away from budget survival toward
improving student outcomes and implementing innovative programs.
4:09:12 PM
SENATOR KIEHL acknowledged that budgeting and resource allocation
are a necessary part of district leadership, especially amid
shifting demographics. He asked for an estimate regarding the
amount of time that could be freed up if the district had early
certainty on funding levels before beginning the budget process.
MR. MEINERT stated that an exorbitant amount of time could be
freed up if the district had early certainty on funding,
especially within the Base Student Allocation (BSA). He
emphasized that the lack of predictability in the budget cycle
directly affects staff recruitment and retention, noting that
this year the district had unfilled elementary teaching positions
for the first time due to an inability to take financial risks
before knowing state funding levels. He explained that districts
previously had fund balances to absorb uncertainty, but that is
no longer the case, making it too risky to hire without confirmed
fundingoften not received until late June.
4:10:50 PM
SENATOR CRONK a former teacher and school board member, expressed
frustration over districts claiming uncertainty in funding,
particularly regarding the Base Student Allocation (BSA). He
stated that the BSA has always been funded and questioned the
accuracy of statements suggesting that districts do not know how
much funding they will receive. He pointed out that the real
uncertainty lies in one-time funding outside the BSA and asked
whether Fairbanks was using the known BSA figures when making
staffing decisions, especially regarding unfilled positions. He
challenged the practice of issuing pink slips under the claim of
unknown funding, suggesting that such messaging has been
misleading for years.
4:12:17 PM
MR. MEINERT explained that in the past, school districts in
Alaska could typically expect a small annual increase to the BSA,
which allowed for more reliable budgeting. He stated that this
pattern has changed, and districts can no longer count on yearly
increases. While the baseline BSA amount is known, it has not
kept pace with inflation, which has significantly increased costs
for school districts. He emphasized the need to "right-size" the
BSA with a substantial increase and called on the legislature to
inflation-proof it going forward. He warned that without
consistent adjustments, districts risk facing the same funding
shortfalls in future decades due to rising costs.
4:13:27 PM
SENATOR CRONK asked what top three cost factors contributed to
the problem.
MR. MEINERT identified personnel, utilities, and general goods
and services as the top three cost drivers for the district. He
emphasized that personnel and utilities are the most significant
contributors to the district's financial challenges.
SENATOR CRONK asked if health and building insurance contribute.
MR. MEINERT replied yes, and he would include health insurance
with personnel costs.
SENATOR CRONK asked what amount of a fair increase to the Base
Student Allocation (BSA) would stabilize FNSBSD and allow it to
meet its goals over the next six to ten years.
MR. MEINERT said he would get to the answer in a bit.
4:14:28 PM
MS. BURNETT moved to slide 17 and said the following reductions
have occurred at FNSBSD since 2019:
• Closed Four Schools
• Class Sizes Have Increased
• Special Education Positions
• Extended Learning Program
• Supply & Activity Budgets Cut in Half
• Elementary Band & Orchestra
• Elementary Art
• Activity Funds
• Print Shop
• More than 250 jobs
• 20 percent reduction in administration
MS. BURNETT stated that the district is currently considering the
consolidation of five additional schools and has already
contracted out night custodial services. She reported that these
actions still leave the district with a $6 million deficit on
February 17. She added that resolving the deficit will likely
require further cuts, including another increase in the pupil-to-
teacher ratio (PTR).
4:15:57 PM
SENATOR KIEHL asked for the district's total top-line budget and
the current number of staff in the finance department following
the reported 20 percent reduction in administration.
MR. MEINERT replied that he did not know the exact number of
staff currently in the business office but stated he would
provide that information to the committee.
4:16:31 PM
SENATOR KIEHL explained that his question about administrative
staffing stemmed from a broader concern that some school
districts have reduced administration to levels that jeopardize
financial oversight. He noted that while these cuts are often
made to protect classroom resources, they can lead to serious
accountability issues, including a lack of financial tracking. He
pointed out that, unlike school districts, some areas of state
government have failed audits or lacked sufficient records for
auditing, while school districts are held to a higher standard
required to complete annual audits or risk formula funding being
witheld. He cautioned that across-the-board cuts, though well-
intentioned, can pose significant risks to financial
accountability and the proper stewardship of public funds.
4:17:55 PM
MR. MEINERT moved to slide 18, FY 26 Budget Forecast, and stated
that the district is currently working through a projected $31
million deficit, which represents 15 percent of its general fund
budget. He explained that if the one-time $680 per-student
funding from last year is repeated, the deficit would be reduced
to $16 million. He noted that the current budget assumes no
change in the borough's local contribution and accounts for a
decrease in state revenue and federal impact aid due to declining
enrollment.
4:18:34 PM
CHAIR TOBIN asked how much money FNSBSD has in its fund balance
to potentially deal with the deficit.
MR. MEINERT replied about $7.5 million.
4:18:52 PM
CHAIR TOBIN asked how a potential change in the way local
contributions are counted would affect FNSBSD. She referenced
communication from the Department of Education and Early
Development (DEED) indicating that regulatory changes are under
consideration.
4:19:15 PM
MS. BURNETT responded that the required local contribution (RLC)
is a complex issue within the Fairbanks community. She stated
that eliminating the RLC would shift full responsibility for
school funding to the state, which she views with caution given
the state's current fiscal challenges. At the same time, she
acknowledged that the RLC places a burden on local taxpayers. She
noted that the Fairbanks North Star Borough is currently only $7
below its tax cap and does not fund education to the cap, as
doing so would raise property taxes. She described the situation
as delicate, with potential benefits on both sides of the issue.
She stated that while she would like to see the borough in a
position to fully fund education to the cap, it is not currently
able to do so.
4:20:54 PM
MR. MEINERT clarified that the discussion appeared to be
referencing funding outside the cap, which does not apply to the
Fairbanks.
4:21:01 PM
MS. BURNETT moved to slide 19, FY 26 Budget Impact, and stated
that the district is currently working with a $16 million
deficit, based on the assumption of receiving $680 per student
from the state and $58 million from the borough. She reported
that contracting shift night custodial services will save $3
million, and consolidating five schools will save an additional
$7 million. Despite these reductions, the district will still
face a $6 million shortfall that the school board must address
February 17.
4:21:40 PM
SENATOR BJORKMAN asked what portion of the reported $7.5 million
fund balance is unobligated and spendable, and requested the
specific dollar amount that is available for use.
4:21:59 PM
MR. MEINERT clarified that the entire $7.5 million fund balance
he referenced is all unobligated funds.
SENATOR BJORKMAN asked what percentage the $7.5 million
represents of the total annual budget.
MR. MEINERT replied it is about 2 -3 percent.
4:22:20 PM
SENATOR BJORKMAN asked, including the rest of the fund balance,
where the district currently stands in relation to the
recommended 10 percent reserve it is expected to maintain.
MR. MEINERT responded that the district is nowhere close to the
recommended 10 percent fund balance. However, the board has been
trying to add to the fund balance. He noted that a few years ago
the fund balance was at zero, and while it has increased since
then, building it remains difficult amid ongoing budget cuts. He
recognized the importance of having a fund balance.
4:23:12 PM
MR. MEINERT moved to slide 20, Subsidized Programs, and stated
that transportation funding has not increased since 2015, and the
district is now feeling the strain of insufficient funds in that
area. He noted that Fairbanks uses general fund dollars to
subsidize transportation and contributes $500,000 to $700,000
annually to support nutrition services. He expressed strong
support for Representative Dibert's bill to provide additional
funding for student nutrition programs.
4:23:48 PM
MS. BURNETT moved to slide 21, Targeted Funding Opportunities,
and addressed the recent focus on targeted funding and listed
areas where it could immediately benefit the Fairbanks North Star
Borough School District, including Alaska Reads Act
implementation, career and technical education (CTE), positive
behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS), and charter
schools.
4:24:28 PM
MR. MEINERT moved to slide 22, $1400 BSA Increase, and responded
to Senator Cronk's earlier question by stating that a $1,400
increase to the Base Student Allocation (BSA) is what the
district needs to fill its budget gap this year. This level would
prevent increases to class sizes, allow full implementation of
Reads Act tutoring requirements, and address longstanding needs
in curriculum, instruction, and technology.
insert
4:25:12 PM
MR. MEINERT moved to slide 23, $1808 BSA Increase, and added that
an $1,808 BSA increase would enable the district to reinvest in
classroomsreducing class sizes, restoring gifted programs,
elementary music and fine arts, and student activity funding. He
emphasized the need to shift away from annual cuts and toward
reinvestment in students.
4:25:46 PM
MR. MEINERT moved to slide 24, Measuring Success Through Student
Growth, and concluded by encouraging a clearly defined
accountability system based on student growth, and stated the
district is not afraid of accountability but needs adequate
resources to meet state expectations. He urged support for
holistic, constitutionally grounded public education across the
state.
4:27:22 PM
SENATOR CRONK thanked the presenters for coming and acknowledged
previous conversations held outside the meeting. He expressed
appreciation for the school board, noting they have made
difficult decisions and will face more ahead. He stated the
presentation clarified many issues and recognized that despite
the changes made, the district still needs support.
4:28:07 PM
CHAIR TOBIN expressed appreciation for the Fairbanks team's
presentation and acknowledged the district's accomplishments
despite fiscal instability and unpredictability from the
legislature. She agreed with the point about the lack of
consistent BSA (Base Student Allocation) increases, referencing
testimony from Lexi Painter that the state had previously made
regular adjustments but has not done so in recent years, which
has negatively affected schools.
4:28:37 PM
CHAIR TOBIN continued public testimony on the state of education
in Alaska.
4:29:08 PM
SHARON HANSEN, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified in
support of school funding. She said as a longtime Fairbanks
resident and parent of two childrenone attending a neighborhood
school and the other a charter school. She expressed concern that
the current structure of school choice forces parents to choose
between personal needs and the health of their community, as
neighborhood schools are closed and diminished due to
underfunding. She emphasized that all schools, including
charters, face inflationary pressures and need stable funding.
She voiced full support for HB 69 and called on legislators to be
held accountable for their votes, urging inflation-proof
education funding to keep Alaska communities strong.
4:31:32 PM
ERIKA BURR, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified in
support of school funding. She said she has been an educator for
15 years and emphasized that adequate funding enables reasonable
class sizes, functional buildings, and strong programs, which
foster student success and well-being. She stated that
overcrowded classrooms harm student-teacher relationships, limit
support, and drive educators to leave the profession. She urged
legislators to invest in public education to retain families and
teachers in Alaska.
4:34:47 PM
CHRISTINA TURMAN, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified
in support of school funding. She said that after significant
school closures in Fairbanks, arguments about inefficiency or low
enrollment no longer hold. She emphasized that even with drastic
cuts, the district still faces a $6 million deficit, and the
quality of education has suffered. She urged legislators to
collaborate across party lines and pass a sustainable education
funding solution this session. She stressed that the situation is
urgent and called on lawmakers to stop treating education as a
political issue and take meaningful action.
4:37:40 PM
CHAIR TOBIN disclosed that she sits on board of the National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People from Alaska,
Oregon, Washington Area State Conference, and that Ms. Grady-
Wyche is the Alaska education hair for the organization.
4:38:02 PM
ROZLYN GRADY-WYCHE, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska,
testified in support of school funding. She said she is a special
education teacher, parent of five Anchorage students, and
education advocate. She urged the Legislature to address systemic
racism, educator retention, and chronic underfunding. She
emphasized that overwhelming caseloads, lack of culturally
responsive curriculum, and inadequate support are pushing
educators out of the profession, especially educators of color.
She called for funding, equity, and active legislative engagement
in schools, stating that education is about justice, opportunity,
and community. She challenged legislators to partner in creating
meaningful change and to uphold Alaska's constitutional promise
to all students.
4:41:42 PM
MOLLY PROUE, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified in
support of school funding. She said she is a Fairbanks parent and
archaeologist. She expressed deep concern about the state of
education funding, stating that for the first time she is
questioning whether it's responsible to raise her children in
Alaska. She emphasized that neighborhood schools are not only
educational spaces but also vital community hubs that foster
support networks and stabilize populations. She urged legislators
to raise the Base Student Allocation (BSA) to reflect inflation,
avoid further school closures, and protect the futures of
Alaska's children.
4:44:02 PM
AMY SKRABA, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified in
support of school funding. She a said she is a parent and
firefighter and urged legislators to work together this session
to address Alaska's education funding crisis. She shared that for
the first time since moving to Alaska in 2008, her family is
considering leaving due to the continued loss of resources,
school closures, and rising class sizes. She described the
situation as a "death spiral" and stressed that children should
not bear the consequences of inadequate planning and funding. She
asked lawmakers to prioritize and support increased school
funding statewide.
4:46:30 PM
JACQUELINE MUEHLBAUER, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska,
testified in support of school funding. She said she is a parent
and volunteer at Pearl Creek Elementary School. She emphasized
the value of after-school reading programs like Battle of the
Books and their role in supporting working families. She urged
the legislature to raise the Base Student Allocation (BSA), fully
fund student transportation, and address deferred maintenance.
She warned that stagnant funding forces harmful decisions like
school closures and overcrowded classrooms. She highlighted a
local proposal to convert Pearl Creek into a STEAM magnet school
and stressed that such creative efforts require adequate state
support to succeed.
4:49:20 PM
CHRISTINA RIED, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified
in support of school funding. She said she is a longtime
Fairbanks resident, single mother, and first-year music teacher
at Barnette Magnet School. She described Barnette as a
successful, diverse K8 school of choice with strong academic
outcomes, no transportation costs, and a waitlist of 500
students. She warned that proposed budget cuts threaten the
magnet school model and would disproportionately impact Title I
schools and high-needs neighborhoods. She urged support for HB 69
and emphasized that schools of choice like Barnette offer a
sustainable, high-performing option for public education in
Alaska.
4:53:13 PM
REBECCA SIEGEL, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified
in support of school funding. She said she is a middle school
teacher and testified that stagnant funding has led to cuts in
teaching and special needs aide positions, even as student needs
have increased. She stated that high pupil-to-teacher ratios
hinder individual attention and relationship-building with high-
risk students. She shared that low wages make it difficult to
fill key roles, including substitutes and special education
aides, and that classroom budgets are so limited she now buys
science lab materials out of pocket. She urged the legislature to
increase the Base Student Allocation (BSA).
4:55:00 PM
ASHLEY MINAEI, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in
support of school funding. She said that she and her husband
returned to Alaska to raise their children in the strong
communities they remembered from their childhoods. She emphasized
that quality education is essential to that vision and expressed
concern that underfunded schools are driving families and young
professionals out of the state. She shared that even her mother,
a retired award-winning Anchorage School District (ASD) teacher,
said she would not remain in the profession under current
conditions. She urged legislators to invest in education and
communities to give families a reason to stay in Alaska.
4:57:47 PM
CHAIR TOBIN held public testimony open on the state of education
in Alaska.
4:58:10 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Tobin adjourned the Senate Education Standing Committee
meeting at 4:48 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| FNSBSD Education Funding Presentation 01.29.2025.pdf |
SEDC 1/29/2025 3:30:00 PM |
Education Funding |
| Anchorage Education Association Presentation 01.29.2025.pdf |
SEDC 1/29/2025 3:30:00 PM |
Education Funding |