I am royally disgusted with the cuts that are being proposed to public education in the state of Alaska. I am about to graduate from the University of Alaska with a degree in elementary education, and I am very concerned about the future of education in my hometown of Juneau due to the cuts to public education proposed by the Senate Majority.
Every single percent that is cut from the education budget is roughly $1 million dollars taken away from the Juneau School District. It is not a small cut. It is huge! It is your neighbor’s job. It is the quality of education of your children that is being slashed. It is the special education teachers and the para-educators who help those who need it most who are being whacked. It is the art and music classes no longer available for your children. It is the ability of each and every teacher to raise performance of our students. The Senate Majority is current wanting a 5 percent cut to public K-12 education, or $5 million cut to Juneau!
I am disappointed that the Senate Majority has spent the past year making no changes to the state’s fiscal plan, or coming up with new ideas. They are still relying on large cuts and have no plans on passing a comprehensive, sustainable and functioning fiscal plan for Alaska’s future. The Senate Majority is not working as a team with the House and governor to make Alaska better. They do not seem overly worried about the children of Alaska, nor the future of Alaska. They seem to be only worried about their large functions and the large companies that give them donations.
I am inspired by the hard work and new ideas that the House Majority has come up with to stabilize our state. They have not cut education, which shows they value our children, which make up about 18 percent of our state. They also have revised oil taxes and tax credits (HB 111). The House Majority has worked together as a team across party lines and it has been a joy to observe.
As a young Alaskan who wants to stay in Juneau and live in Alaska, I urge, encourage and invite you to write the legislators that represent you and the Senate Majority to stop cutting education and to actually find a plan to support Alaska’s future. It is important to educate Alaskans, and we need your help!
Callie Conerton
Juneau