On Wednesday, February 13, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy revealed his amended budget for the 2020 fiscal year, proposing extensive cuts to education, health care, and other state services. Under his new plan, approximately $1.6 billion would be cut in total state spending, including a devastating $310 million cut from the Alaskan public education system (State of Alaska OMB). This would result in a loss of $41.1 million for the Anchorage School District alone, $134 million for the University of Alaska system, and millions more for city and rural community schools throughout the state (ADN, KTUU).

Slashing the education budget will cripple our school districts and universities, and every student, educator, and community will suffer. As Alaskans, we must all oppose Governor Dunleavy's proposed cuts to the state education system.

In the past several years, Alaska's education system has consistently faced stagnant or decreased funding, and school districts have faced deficits and the need to close funding gaps of millions of dollars. In the classroom, this translates to greater class sizes, a decrease in course options and academic opportunities, poorer performance in statewide standardized testing, and an overall decrease in the quality of education. Over 60 percent of public school students in Alaska "failed to meet grade-level academic standards in English language arts and math" in 2017, and in national rankings, Alaska has continually placed in the bottom 40 states for public school education and student performance (ADN, NCES, NEA). Additionally, the University of Alaska system has faced tens of millions of dollars in budget cuts, resulting in tuition hikes, declining enrollment, smaller teaching staff, and an array of other issues (UA, Alaska Journal). Students and educators are already facing intense challenges, yet the state government consistently refuses to provide adequate funding and support for education.

A loss of hundreds of millions of dollars for the Department of Education would certainly cause tremendous issues for local school districts and universities. University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen says that the proposed cuts would "devastate Alaska's university system and lead to campus closures, program cuts, tuition hikes, and layoffs" (ADN). Dr. Deena Bishop, the Anchorage School District's Superintendent, says that "ninety percent of reductions could be in human resources" (KTUU). Further budget cuts, as proposed under Governor Dunleavy's new plan, would only compound the existing issues within Alaska's education system.

Cutting education spending is neither a sustainable nor practical solution to the problems that our state faces, and the PFD should not be spared at the expense of our students' futures. If you believe in a public education system that supports not only students and educators, but the very future of Alaska, sign this petition.

Signing the petition will send a message to Governor Dunleavy and the state legislature that Alaskans will not stand for cuts to our education system.

Take action today to support our students and educators, and protect education in Alaska. #alaskansforeducation

 

Articles & Cited Sources

https://www.omb.alaska.gov/html/budget-report/department-table.html?dept=EED&fy=20&type=Amend​

https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/about/administration/office-of-the-chancellor/budget.cshtml​ 

https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2000/stateprofiles/ranking.asp​

http://www.nea.org/home/73145.htm​

http://www.alaskajournal.com/2019-02-13/ua-braces-budget-cuts#.XGYrEqeZPq4​

https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/2019/02/13/university-of-alaska-president-says-dunleavy-cut-would-gut-state-college-system/​

https://www.adn.com/politics/2019/02/13/gov-dunleavy-launches-massive-budget-cut-plan/​

https://www.ktva.com/story/39962046/dunleavy-budget-calls-for-massive-widespread-cuts​

https://www.ktuu.com/content/news/Gov-Dunleavy-unveils-new-budget-for-Alaska-505785761.html​

https://www.ktuu.com/content/news/University-of-Alaska-Anchorages-50-million-budget-problem-505811431.html​

https://www.ktuu.com/content/news/Education-budgets-slashed-impacting-the-university-system-and-K-12-505808231.html