As parents in Alaska, we are deeply worried. We see the news about school closures and further devastating cuts to our schools. There is a growing anxiety and feeling of desperation in our community.
We are calling on the Alaska Legislature to lead on this issue by significantly investing in public education early in the legislative session. Providing predictable school funding prevents teacher layoffs and allows local School Boards to run our schools more efficiently, since School Boards pass budgets in February.
Our public schools have faced cuts for too long, and the consequences are clear: school closures, beloved programs on the chopping block, and a steady erosion of the quality education our children deserve. We are scared, and we are here to say enough is enough. Alaska must invest in public education, not just for our children today, but for the future of our state tomorrow.
For the past decade, we have witnessed a gradual dismantling of our public school system. Budget cuts have forced difficult choices, leading to larger class sizes, less support staff, and the elimination of valuable programs. Now, the threat of school closures looms over our neighborhoods. The thought of our children being uprooted from their familiar learning environment, separated from their friends and teachers, is deeply unsettling. These schools are more than just buildings; they are the heart of our communities.
We have seen firsthand the devastating impact of these cuts. Our children’s teachers are stretched thin, struggling to provide individualized attention to every student. Essential resources are scarce, and programs that enrich our children’s education, like art, music, and physical education, are often the first to be sacrificed. We worry that our children are not receiving the well-rounded education they need to thrive.
The potential loss of treasured programs like language immersion is particularly distressing. These programs offer unique opportunities for our children to develop valuable skills and broaden their horizons. They foster cultural understanding, enhance cognitive development, and prepare our children for a globalized world. To see these programs threatened by budget cuts is a devastating blow to our community and a disservice to our children.
As parents, we chose to raise our families in Alaska because we believed in the promise of a strong public education system. We envisioned our children attending neighborhood schools, surrounded by a supportive community and dedicated teachers. But that promise is now in jeopardy. The continued underfunding of our schools is eroding the very foundation of our communities and jeopardizing our children’s future.
We know we are not alone in our concerns. Parents across Alaska share our anxieties. We hear from military families who are hesitant to bring their children to Alaska because of the uncertainty surrounding our schools. We hear from businesses struggling to recruit and retain employees due to concerns about the quality of education. We hear from families who are making the difficult decision to leave Alaska altogether, seeking better opportunities for their children elsewhere. This exodus is a loss for all of us.
A significant investment in the Base Student Allocation (BSA) is essential to reverse this trend. This funding will directly impact our schools and our children by:
- Reducing class sizes: Allowing teachers to provide more individualized attention and support to each student.
- Preventing school closures: Keeping our neighborhood schools open and preserving the heart of our communities.
- Protecting essential programs: Ensuring that our children have access to a well-rounded education, including valuable programs like language immersion.
- Providing necessary resources: Ensuring that our schools have the tools and materials they need to provide a high-quality education.
This is not about politics; it’s about our children. It is about ensuring they have the opportunity to reach their full potential. It is about building a strong future for Alaska. We urge our elected officials to listen to the concerns of parents and prioritize public education. Our children’s future, and the future of our state, depends on it. We cannot afford to wait any longer. We must invest in our children and our schools now.
Colleen Bolling, Jake Metcalfe, Francis McLaughlin, Jessica Noble, and Rachel Posey are parents of Anchorage students. Sharon Hansen is the parent of Fairbanks students.
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