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Senate Concurs with Comprehensive Education Package
Senate Bill 140 Provides School Districts, Educators, and Students with Necessary Resources to Increase Educational Outcomes
JUNEAU – Today, the Alaska State Senate concurred with the House changes to Senate Bill 140, effectively passing the largest increase to school funding in state history with a $680 increase to the Base Student Allocation. Senate Bill 140 will also significantly improve internet connectivity in rural Alaska, provide $10 million in additional funding for the Alaska Reads Act, and bring parity to public correspondence education by increasing funding by $14.5 million.
“Over the past two sessions, we’ve heard from school administrators, principals, teachers, parents, and students about the dire circumstances they have faced. Without a substantial increase in funding, Alaska will continue to lose teachers, cut programs, and increase class sizes to untenable pupil to teacher ratios. Today, I am proud of the work we were able to accomplish to move the education pendulum, and I vow to continue working to improve our public schools,” said Senator Löki Tobin (D-Anchorage), Chair of the Senate Education Committee.
“The passage of SB 140 is a monumental step forward for Alaska's education system. This comprehensive bill, with its substantial increase in school funding, reflects our commitment to providing the best possible education for our students. Even though it is not perfect, it is a step in the right direction to increase education outcomes," said Senate President Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak).
The original version of the bill, sponsored by Senator Lyman Hoffman (D-Bethel), increased Broadband Access Grants for eligible schools from 25 Mbps per second to 100 Mbps. In 2023, 151 schools from 27 rural school districts qualified for the grants. For school districts to take advantage of the increased bandwidth grants, the legislature must have acted before the end of February.
“While the process seemed messy, I am grateful that rural schools will be able to access these grants this year. Coming together showcased the legislature’s commitment to rural schools,” said Sen. Hoffman, Co-Chair of Senate Finance. “As Alaskans know, especially those who are off the road system, access to technology and digital information is the lifeline that connects our communities and provides the necessary tools for school districts to educate our youngest Alaskans.”
"The passage of SB 140 is a result of collaborative efforts to shape a stronger future for our youngest Alaskans. With this collaborative effort between the Senate and the House, we are ensuring that our students are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. This bipartisan achievement is a testament to our commitment to excellence in education,” concluded Senator Bill Wielechowski (D-Anchorage), Senate Rules Chair.
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