NEWS: Education Task Force Releases Recommendations for Public Comment

Education Task Force Releases Recommendations for Public Comment

Anchorage – Today, the Alaska Legislature’s Task Force on Education Funding released a series of recommendations to improve public education in Alaska. The Task Force is accepting public comments on the recommendations for the next 30 days. 

"The work of the Task Force has been shaped not only by data and insights from local and national experts, but also by the experiences of students, parents, teachers, and administrators throughout Alaska. We have listened to both the challenges and successes in classrooms, as well as the immediate concerns that threaten the core mission of Alaska's education system. This is why the next phase of the Task Force’s work is so important. Over the next 30 days, we encourage everyone to share your valuable insights into these proposed recommendations. I look forward to hearing from stakeholders and to a future with strong support for Alaska's public education system,” said Senator Löki Gale Tobin, Task Force co-chair.

Over the past 18 months, the Joint Legislative Task Force on Education Funding examined Alaska’s public education system. In the document released today, the Task Force recommends the Alaska State Legislature adopt a definition of adequacy for school funding and update the process for counting student enrollment. The Task Force further calls for full funding of the new Energy Cost Reimbursement Program for school districts and revising how school maintenance is addressed.

“In January, our new Governor and the members of the next Legislature have the opportunity to coalesce around proven public policy and funding changes that the Task Force believes will improve public education in Alaska for the long term. The easy part is writing them down and putting out a report. The hard part comes in passing specific pieces of legislation through two bodies of the Alaska State Legislature and getting them signed by the Governor. That’s our next challenge,” said Representative Rebecca Himschoot, Task Force co-chair. 

On Thursday, November 12, the Task Force on Education Funding will hold an all-day meeting to take in-person and remote public testimony on the draft report and recommendations. The meeting will originate from the Anchorage Legislative Information Office, with in-person public testimony available during the day from the Capitol Building in Juneau and the Legislative Information Offices in Fairbanks and Kenai. 

• 9:00 am – noon: Anchorage LIO in-person testimony 
• 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Fairbanks LIO in-person testimony
• 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Juneau in-person testimony at the Capitol Building in the Davis Committee Room (106)
• 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Kenai LIO in-person testimony

Throughout the day on November 12, the Task Force on Education Funding will accept remote public testimony via the Alaska Legislature’s teleconference system once in-person testimony is exhausted at each location. Those in the Anchorage area may call 907-563-9085, and those in the Juneau area may call 907-586-9085. From all other areas of Alaska, commenters may call 844-586-9085.

Written public comments are due by December 8 and can be emailed to TFEF@akleg.gov or edfundtaskforce@akleg.gov. Over the next two months, the draft report will be further refined, designed, and finalized prior to being officially submitted by the first day of the 2027 legislative session. 

###