Postponing a proposal to sharply limit funds municipalities can give school districts is being recommended by the Dunleavy administration to the state’s education board, which is scheduled to meet Wednesday and Thursday.
The proposal changes the “local contribution” rules for non-instructional funding such as recreational activities and student transportation.
State officials said the proposal sought to make the change effective at the beginning of the next fiscal year on July 1, 2026, but local officials said they didn’t trust the state board to not implement the new policy immediately.
Widespread opposition has also been expressed by districts, officials and residents statewide to the Alaska Board of Education and Early Development. A state administrative response to criticism occurred Monday when the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development published a notice on its Facebook page that Anchorage officials erred in saying the department is recommending the change.
“DEED is NOT asking the Board to adopt the proposed regulation amendments,” the post states. “The recommendation is to return the amendments to the Department for further collaboration with stakeholders and the development of an approach that aligns with both district needs and federal and state requirements.”
The board does not have to follow DEED’s recommendations.
The post says the board will take public comment on Thursday. The board is scheduled to meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday and again starting at 8:30 a.m. Thursday.
This story was originally published by the Juneau Independent.
DEED asks education board to delay imposing strict limits on local government funding for schools
Postponing a proposal to sharply limit funds municipalities can give school districts is being recommended by the Dunleavy administration to the state’s education board, which is scheduled to meet Wednesday and Thursday.
The proposal changes the “local contribution” rules for non-instructional funding such as recreational activities and student transportation.
State officials said the proposal sought to make the change effective at the beginning of the next fiscal year on July 1, 2026, but local officials said they didn’t trust the state board to not implement the new policy immediately.
Widespread opposition has also been expressed by districts, officials and residents statewide to the Alaska Board of Education and Early Development. A state administrative response to criticism occurred Monday when the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development published a notice on its Facebook page that Anchorage officials erred in saying the department is recommending the change.
“DEED is NOT asking the Board to adopt the proposed regulation amendments,” the post states. “The recommendation is to return the amendments to the Department for further collaboration with stakeholders and the development of an approach that aligns with both district needs and federal and state requirements.”
The board does not have to follow DEED’s recommendations.
The post says the board will take public comment on Thursday. The board is scheduled to meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday and again starting at 8:30 a.m. Thursday.
This story was originally published by the Juneau Independent.