People carry signs at a Juneau rally in favor of an increase to the amount the government pays schools per student on Jan. 29, 2024. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
People carry signs at a Juneau rally in favor of an increase to the amount the government pays schools per student on Jan. 29, 2024. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

Laurie Duncan got her pink slip at the end of April, after her second year teaching first grade at Xóots Elementary in Sitka. She got the news during her prep period. She was three months pregnant.

Nearly 20% of the teachers in Sitka were laid…