Students in Alaska's capital walked out of school and marched through the halls of the state Capitol on Thursday to protest Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy's recent education veto and the Legislature's override of the veto.
Sitka student organizer Felix Myers said the walkout was part of a protest organized by the Alaska Student Government Executive Committee. The plan calls for a 40-minute walkout at schools across Alaska, the equivalent of 40 votes needed to override a lawmaker's veto. Lawmakers fell one vote short in an attempt to override it last month. The strike had been planned for around 11 a.m., but this time was chosen to minimize disruption and ensure participation.
“We've been trying to be heard, we've been trying to be heard, and we've been ignored, and that's how we got here,” he said in a phone interview from Anchorage. ” he said. Myers is a student advisor to the State Board of Education, but said he did not speak or act in that capacity regarding the strike.
In March, Dunleavy made good on his threat to veto a bill passed overwhelmingly by lawmakers that would have increased aid to school districts by $175 million through the school funding system. He said the provisions he supports include a three-year program that would provide bonuses of up to $15,000 a year as a way to attract and retain teachers and changes to the charter school application process aimed at encouraging charter schools. They complained that the bill was lacking.
But these items lack broad support among lawmakers, raising questions about the effectiveness and cost of untested teacher retention plans and requiring the State Board of Education, whose members are appointed by the governor, to directly approve charters. They expressed concern that allowing this would undermine local control.
After vetoing the package, Dunleavy said he would move on to other issues, such as energy, but later said in a statement: Reform was needed. ” He did not say what kind of funding increase he would support.
School leaders and advocates called for an approximately $360 million increase in aid, but still supported the package passed by lawmakers as a positive step. School officials cite the effects of inflation and soaring energy and insurance costs as they struggle with deficits in some cases amounting to millions of dollars and teacher shortages.
They also said unpredictable levels of state aid made long-term planning difficult. Lawmakers approved a one-time funding increase of $175 million last year, but Dunleavy vetoed half of it. Lawmakers also were unable to muster enough support to override the veto.
School funding is expected to remain a hot topic for the remainder of the session.
Thursday's strike saw Juneau-Douglas High School students (Yadaa.at Kalé) and their supporters, including some members of Congress, march about a mile to the state Capitol, some carrying handmade signs. Some shouted slogans such as “Fund our future'' and “Fund our future''. Dunleavy was not in Juneau on Thursday, but they chanted loudly in the halls of the Capitol, including the third floor where the governor's office is located.
About 20 students gathered in the House Finance Committee room and approached Republican Rep. Julie Coulomb after a meeting on an unrelated issue concluded. She was one of the lawmakers who voted in favor of the education policy but against overriding Dunleavy's veto. Mr Coulomb welcomed their questions.
He said given Dunleavy's opposition to the policy, even a successful repeal would likely cut at least some of the additional funding for schools once the state budget is won. He said he was concerned that this might be the case. She would like to continue working on a plan that would provide additional funding and support from Dunleavy, she said. She encouraged students to stay involved.
“Don't lose hope. This is a messy process,” she said.
Rachel Wood, a student who marched to the Capitol on Thursday, said the event showed young people can be active participants in what's happening in Congress. She and her fellow student Meadow Stanley said they hope lawmakers who have expressed support for her education will back it up by passing an increased budget.
