Education

A House bill that would substantially boost school funding has cleared two committees and could be headed for a final vote, but questions remain over how the state would pay for it.

The budget is based on the assumption of a $400 increase to the state’s per-student funding contribution.

The Juneau School District’s Board of Education is doing a first reading of the district’s budget on Thursday evening.

Rep. Andi Story said it’s an effort to address the state’s struggle to hire key employees and stem the tide of outmigration.

Local preschoolers make valentines for state legislators each year, reminding them to “have a heart” for kids during the session.

Since the board addressed the district’s multimillion-dollar budget deficit last year, it’s expected to move through the budget process more quickly this year.

Alaska’s Department of Education and Early Development is working with tribes to kick start a compacting program and give tribes sovereignty over education.

Closed door talks with the governor’s office and lawmakers on education funding haven’t so far resulted in an alternative to keep House proposal from moving forward.

From jazz combos made up of a handful of musicians to full big bands with close to thirty members, students worked with professional jazz musicians to add some finishing touches to their sets before two days of concerts.

The plaintiffs challenge homeschoolers’ use of state funding for tuition at private and religious schools and seek to add the districts as defendants after a state Supreme Court ruling last year.