Opinion: Remember who voted for and who voted against school funding.

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Alaska educators and their families are among the 39 Alaskans who championed the cause of public school funding with a courageous “yes” vote overriding Governor Dunleavy’s veto of Senate Bill 140 (SB 140) We owe it to members of Congress to express our heartfelt shouts of gratitude and heartfelt gratitude. These votes were cast after hearing overwhelming testimony in support of public education from students, families, and the communities they represent.

Unfortunately, 20 other councilors voted “no,” upholding the governor’s veto with a single vote. Now, once again, our public schools face serious threats as a result of their actions. Without the provisions outlined in this bill, students would have fewer academic options, families would have less support, and communities across our great state would be less resilient.

Their failure will leave thousands of students grappling with increased class sizes and continued inadequate staffing, two of the main causes of declining academic performance.

I am well aware of the escalation of rhetoric and emotion that SB 140 has provoked, and I believe it is warranted. Without strong public schools, families will continue to be lost to other states, we will be unable to attract new businesses, and our economy will continue to stagnate.

SB 140 was far from perfect, but it represented a sincere effort by our elected leaders to compromise and address some real issues. So let’s clarify what the bill actually contained.

SB 140 has the following features:

• Established a permanent statutory increase in the base student quota for all public school students in Alaska. Every community, every school (including charter schools), and classrooms across the state would have benefited from this measure.

• Increases the district’s ability to provide competitive salaries to all teachers, counselors, nurses, related services personnel, and educational support personnel.

• Increased funding to support the Alaska Reads Act.

• Strengthened the Department of Education and Early Development’s ability to support parents who want to start a new charter school.

Unfortunately, these are all gone. Alaska is left with the status quo, leading to educator layoffs, increased school closures, larger class sizes, and less support for dedicated teachers and education support professionals who choose to stay. Those who voted to uphold the governor’s veto frequently cited “consequences” as their justification.

We can say with near certainty that a student who cannot reach a teacher while trying to get attention with 30+ other students will not be able to achieve the “results” that legislators desire.

Our great educators are leaving Alaska because other states offer more competitive wages, benefits, and working conditions in public schools. Their compensation packages are not built around three years of teacher bonuses, as Gov. Mike Dunleavy is proposing. It is built on real investments in public education and allows all educators, certified and classified employees alike, to work with their employers and earn competitive compensation.

Currently, no district in the state is able to keep up with inflation, offer competitive wages, and provide affordable health care at the same time.

I implore Congress to reconvene, remember its oath to uphold Alaska’s Constitution, and pass legislation to provide for Alaska’s public schools, students, families, and educators as soon as possible. The majority of Alaskans recognize that significant investment in our public education system is essential.

In November, I too will remember those who chose to take action.

Corey Eist He is president of the Anchorage Education Association.

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