"education"

The amount of per student funding hasn’t increased since 2017, and many teachers and administrators say the $30 increase planned for next year isn’t enough.

The agreement would gradually increase wages, while also increasing district contributions to health premiums and time for elementary teachers to prepare lessons and grade assignments.

Ortiz told the committee that, in recent years, the state has spent more money on the Permanent Fund Dividend than on the base student allocation.

Supporters say tribal schools could help improve educational outcomes for Alaska Native students by providing culturally relevant, place-based lessons.

In a statement, McKenzie said she will continue her work as the director of DEED’s Division of Innovation and Education Excellence. 

Bridget Weiss has been named the first-ever liaison for the Alaska College of Education Consortium where she’ll help the education program partner with school districts, state government and other stakeholders.

“We’re hoping that our programming can bridge some of the standing gaps of where Indigenous science has been left out in those subjects and build some interest and pathways for our Alaska Native youth.”

“The morale of the young teachers, a lot of them that are single wage earners just getting started, are so low,” said Fairbanks teacher Thomas Kennedy. “They’re the lowest that I’ve seen in all my years of teaching.”

Alaskans enter the raffle by donating part of their permanent fund dividend.

Dunleavy continues to call for an additional $1,250 PFD payment to increase the amount paid this year, which was $1,114.