Alaska Task Force On Education Funding
- Alex Rosales
- Aug 25
- 2 min read
Friends, parents, teachers, and fellow Alaskans! Today's inaugural meeting of the bipartisan Task Force on Education Funding (formed under HB 57) was a wake-up call and a beacon of hope for our schools. As a veteran, educator, and parent who's officially filed to run for Anchorage School Board in 2026, I'm fired up about turning these insights into action. Anchorage kids deserve better than 49th in the nation. We need to climb those rankings together with parent-driven choices, safer environments, and focused learning days in our incredibly diverse community.
Key takeaways from the meeting that align with what I've been advocating:
* Funding Isn't Everything, But It's a Start: We've heard frustrations that money alone won't fix issues, but updating our 25-year-old foundation formula (last major tweak in 1998) is overdue. Alaska ranks 9th nationally in per-pupil spending (adjusted for cost of living via ISER data), yet 46th in outcomes; time to cut administrative waste and get more dollars into classrooms for smaller class sizes and teacher support.
* Teacher Autonomy and Retention: Treat educators as professionals! Discussions on insurance, healthcare, and recruitment (with November's agenda featuring latest research) echo my call for empowering teachers to guide our kids without bureaucratic hurdles.
* Adapting to Change: Student populations have evolved—more correspondence/homeschool options (surging post-COVID), diverse needs (including mental health and special education multipliers), and paths beyond college (like vocational tracks). Let's celebrate Anchorage's global diversity by tailoring education to foster purpose and pride.
* Safe Schools and Maintenance: Struggles with building upkeep (only in capital budgets?) and attendance policies highlight the need for secure environments. Every child should learn without fear and need proactive plans can prevent closures and ensure equity statewide.
* Accountability That Works: Shift from test scores to real readiness (kudos to Rep. Himschoot's efforts). Tools like AASB's School Climate and Connectedness Survey can strengthen family ties, while site visits (proposed for ASD, Galena homeschool, Mat-Su CTE, remote Yup'ik programs in Kuspuk, and top-ranked Skagway) will showcase best practices.
* Local Control Over Federal Overreach: With 62% state funding and debates on local contributions (23% cap), we need formulas that empower parents and districts... not one-size-fits-all mandates. Historical nods to Gov. Egan's 1961 dedication remind us: Alaskans value education; let's honor that legacy.
This task force's work (next meeting Oct 30 in Juneau, recommendations by Jan 2027) could transform ASD and lift Alaska. As your School Board candidate, I'll push for these reforms: school choice so parents decide, reduced class sizes for better learning, and celebrating our diversity to give every kid pride and purpose.
Who's with me? Sign up to volunteer, share your story, or donate at www.alexforschoolboardak.com.
Tag a parent or teacher below. What's one change you'd like to see in Anchorage schools? Together, we can make it happen! 🇺🇸
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