It's Time to Increase the Base Student Allocation
And how to help make it happen
The base student allocation (BSA) in Alaska is the funding amount, per student, that the state provides to school districts for the operation of their schools.
It’s set too low.
As of the 2021-2022 school year, the BSA in Alaska is about $5,900 per student. It’s remained essentially unchanged since 2017, in the face of record breaking inflation and widespread financial challenges in public schools across our state. Increasing the BSA is one of our districts primary legislative priorities.
In the last 7 years, the BSA has increased by 0.5% while Fairbanks North Star Borough School District costs have increased approximately 13% in the same period of time. Classroom sizes have ballooned, and the teaching environment has become increasingly challenging.
Districts across our state are facing multi-million dollar deficits.
Tomorrow, there’s a bill up for debate by our legislature that would increase the BSA: House Bill 65.
HB 65 is up for public hearing tomorrow, Tuesday, March 21 at 5:15 PM
HB 65 aims to increase the base student allocation (BSA) in Alaska by $1,250 per student, which would bring the current funding level up to $7,210.
This would go a long way in our school districts.
If you support this increase, please share your thoughts with your legislators.
HOW TO TESTIFY
By Phone
You may call in at the following numbers (call a little early!):
Juneau – (907) 586-9085
Anchorage – (907) 563-9085
All Other Locations – 844-586-9085
Please keep your comments to two minutes maximum.
By Email
If you are unable to call in during the committee meeting, your written testimony can be emailed to:
Bill Sponsor: Rep.Dan.Ortiz@AKLeg.gov
House Education Committee Chair: Rep.Justin.Ruffridge@akleg.gov.
We can reuse a slightly retooled sample letter from earlier this month:
Dear Legislators,
As a concerned citizen and advocate for education, I urge you to support House Bill 65 and increase the Base Student Allocation (BSA) in Alaska. Our schools desperately need this funding to ensure that our students receive the high-quality education they deserve.
For too many years, we have seen flat funding for education and the impact of inflation eroding the value of the BSA. As a result, our schools are struggling to provide students with the resources they need to succeed. Teachers are stretched thin, programs are being cut, and class sizes are increasing. Our students deserve better.
By increasing the BSA, we can provide our schools with the resources they need to invest in important programs and services, including teacher training and technology upgrades. We can ensure that every student has access to a well-rounded education that prepares them for success in the rest of their careers and lives.
Moreover, increasing the BSA is not only the right thing to do for our students, but it is also a wise investment in our state's future. Education is the key to economic growth and social mobility, and by investing in education, we can position ourselves for long-term success. A well-funded education system will help us to attract and retain businesses and families, which will benefit our state's economy in the long run.
I ask that you please support House Bill 65 and increase the BSA by at least $1,250 per student. It is time to prioritize education in Alaska and invest in the future of our state. Our students and our state deserve nothing less.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
Kuba Grzeda
Fairbanks, Alaska
Thanks for your work!
Education is important, and funding it is too.