Lawmakers debated Alaska House Bill 69 on Monday as it reached the house floor, drawing sharp disagreements over public school funding allocations. Sponsored by Rep. Rebecca Himshoot, the bill has undergone multiple amendments since its introduction, reflecting differing priorities among legislators.
If passed, the bill would permanently increase Alaska’s public school funding by $275 million, significantly raising the base student allocation. Initially, the bill proposed a $1,000 increase per student, followed by a gradual $800 increase over four years.
The most recent version, however, keeps the $1,000 adjustment and eliminates the annual increment. During Monday’s meeting, lawmakers discussed Amendment #10, which called for more support for homeschooled students.
House Majority Leader Rep. Chuck Kopp supported the minority caucus, but the amendment was defeated in a 20-20 vote. Supporters claimed that even though families pay the same taxes, homeschoolers receive less money than their friends who attend traditional schools.
Correspondent students earn slightly less than 100% of a student’s tuition, according to Rep. Justin Ruffridge, who challenged the present funding model. Rep. Sarah Vance highlighted the financial strain parents experience when opting for alternative schooling.
Vance homeschooled her children. She explained that it’s their responsibility to see their kids’ education to ensure success with fewer resources. Adjusting funding would create fairness and better support these student learning needs.
Rep. Jamie Allard echoed these concerns, arguing that homeschooled students deserve equal funding. Still, a few lawmakers were not convinced. Supporters of Alaska House Bill 69 Rep. Andi Story contended that the increase in base student allocation benefited every student equally.
No new amendments were approved during Monday’s session. The House Education Committee will continue to consider the bill on March 12 as it moves forward through the legislative process.
This news was originally published by Alaska’s News Source.
