Alaska Senate committee advances education bill, with per-student formula boost and policy changes

With school funding still uncertain, and less than a month to go in the Alaska legislative session, the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday advanced a reworked bill that would increase the base of the state’s funding formula by $700 per student.

Members of the committee also included some policy proposals suggested by Gov. Mike Dunleavy last week. Members of the committee said it’s an effort to compromise with the governor after he vetoed a larger education funding bill last week. 

The committee passed House Bill 57 after amending it on Thursday to allow charter school planners to apply for approval at any time of year, require school districts to simplify processes for charter renewals, and establish a new state task force on education funding. It would also direct the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to gather data on students post-graduation. 

Dunleavy has signaled a hard line in the education policy changes he favors as a precondition for increasing the base student allocation, core of the state’s per-pupil funding formula. 

Dunleavy’s office declined to comment on the added policies and amended bill that passed the committee, saying, “the governor’s statement issued yesterday still stands.”

Dunleavy shared a statement on social media on Wednesday criticizing the bill as lacking policies that he wants. “We agree that more money is needed, but without policy, we won’t see better outcomes. Policy that ensures reading gains, expanded enrollment options, and true accountability is essential. Reforms need to be in the bill for my support,” he said. 

But lawmakers see the reworked bill as a step in negotiations and finding a compromise.

“This proposal isn’t the final word, but it’s a serious step toward addressing the challenges in our education system. It reflects a willingness to engage, to put forward ideas, and to keep moving the conversation toward meaningful solutions,” said Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, in a statement announcing the amended bill. “We may not all agree on every piece, but we all recognize the need to act — and this bill is part of that ongoing effort.”

The amended bill also calls for a 10% increase to per-pupil transportation funding, which Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, and co-chair of the Senate Finance Committee, said was “essential.” 

“We need to get this funding into classrooms now — our students can’t wait,” he said. 

Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage and chair of the Senate Rules Committee, said the plan is for the bill to be introduced to the full Senate on Friday, with amendments and a final vote on Monday.

From there, it would go to the House for approval.