Alaskans urge Legislature to raise and inflation‑proof Base Student Allocation, warn of school closures

Dozens of parents, educators and students told the Senate Education Committee on Jan. 31 in Juneau that Alaska must increase and inflation‑proof the Base Student Allocation so districts can avoid layoffs, program cuts and school closures.

Senator Lukey Gale Tobin, presiding officer of the Senate Education Committee, opened the public testimony portion and limited remarks to two minutes per speaker because of time constraints and weather‑related travel concerns.

The supporters sought passage of House Bill 69, which backers say would restore the BSA’s purchasing power to 2011 levels and protect funding from erosion by inflation. Lisa Egan Lagerquist, a former teacher and parent of two from Douglas, said, “I have been testifying since my 11th grader was in kindergarten. That's over 11 years. I'm tired. I'm exhausted.” She urged the Legislature to “permanently increase the BSA, make the BSA inflation proof, and commit to overriding a governor veto.”

Speakers gave local examples of the stakes. Anna Rose MacArthur, a parent from Nome, said, “The Nome Public School District will have to cut 10 teachers and 1 assistant principal,” and added…