Seeking to prevent teacher layoffs, Alaska House votes to pay for public schools through 2023

JUNEAU — In an attempt to prevent Alaska school districts from temporarily laying off teachers, the state House of Representatives on Thursday approved two years’ worth of public school funding.

The education bill, which passed 26-14 against opposition from the House’s Republican minority, now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, and Senate Finance Committee chairman Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, said in separate interviews that federal coronavirus aid means immediate action is not needed. Micciche said he has not yet heard from the Senate majority on the issue, but he and Stedman said they want to see school funding considered as part of a statewide budget bill.

But in extensive public debate on Thursday, House lawmakers said they want to avoid any kind of timing problem. Some local school districts must approve their budgets by mid-May, but lawmakers don’t expect to finish work on the state’s operating budget until May 19, the last day of the Legislature’s regular session.

Read more: https://www.adn.com/politics/alaska-legislature/2021/04/22/alaska-house-votes-to-fund-public-schools-through-2023/
(Anchorage Daily News)