An Alaska nonprofit, the Coalition for Education Equity of Alaska, is gearing up to take legal action against the state for what it views as inadequate funding for public schools. This decision comes after the state Legislature fell short of the necessary votes to override Governor Mike Dunleavy’s veto of a landmark education funding bill.
The bill in question, Senate Bill 140, encompassed a historic $246 million education funding package, which Gov. Dunleavy vetoed last week. Despite the bill’s prior significant bipartisan support, the override vote during a joint session between the Senate and the House narrowly failed, with a 39-20 vote, just one vote shy of the required 40 “yes” votes to overcome the veto.
One of the paramount provisions of the bill was a $680 increase to the Base Student Allocation, a key component of the state’s school funding formula. This increase would have marked the first substantial adjustment to the formula since 2016. Caroline Storm, the executive director of the Coalition for Education Equity of Alaska, has emphasized the critical importance of this increase and suggested that the nonprofit is prepared to pursue legal action, even if the Legislature later approves a rise in the funding formula.
Meanwhile, Gov. Dunleavy’s decision to veto the education funding package has sparked immense controversy. The Republican governor has urged for swift action on teacher bonuses and charter school provisions, which have been points of contention among legislators. His repeated emphasis on the need for these supplemental measures adds further complexity to the ongoing dispute over education funding in Alaska.
The veto has elicited strong reactions from various quarters, as it directly impacts the future resources available to public schools. The governor’s move has not only stirred dissent among lawmakers but also raised concerns among advocacy groups, educators, and parents about the long-term implications for Alaska’s education system.
While the failed veto override represents a setback for those advocating for increased education funding, it has also galvanized a collective determination among stakeholders to address the issue through alternative means. As the debate continues, the spotlight remains squarely on the enduring challenge of securing adequate funding for public schools and the potential repercussions of falling short in this critical endeavor.
