NEWS: Administration Confirms: Much Larger BSA Increase Needed to Fill Education Shortfalls
March 20, 2014
JUNEAU – A new analysis of Parnell administration data confirms Alaska’s school districts need between three and six times the amount of the governor is proposing to increase per-student classroom funding in order to fill budget gaps for next school year. Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) released the analysis today as the House Finance Committee considers the governor’s omnibus education bill and other education measures.
Read More →
Note from Rep. Gara: Education: Tuesday Testimony, OK with “1,000 Cuts”?
March 17, 2014
As someone who grew up in foster care, I know strong schools give everyone, rich and poor, opportunity. Cutting teachers, career counselors, and other educators damages opportunity and harms our goal of developing a well-educated workforce.
Read More →
NEWS: Democrats Move Pro-Job, Public Education and Cost-Saving Budget Amendments
March 13, 2014
JUNEAU – Today, Alaska House Democratic legislators offered a series of amendments to the state operating budget to improve public education, promote workforce development, and trim wasteful spending.
Read More →
NEWS: Report: Governor’s Education Proposal Continues Teacher Cuts
March 6, 2014
JUNEAU – Today, Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) released a report showing that, in order to avoid cutting educators a fourth year in a row, Alaska’s six largest school districts need an increase of roughly four times more per-pupil funding next year than the Governor has proposed.
Read More →
Note from Rep. Gara: How Education Cuts Are Tied To the Oil Giveaway; Foster Youth Volunteer Training
March 5, 2014
OK, this will be short. Really. I’ve spent the week writing a detailed document on how the oil giveaway passed last year requires nothing from oil companies in return for their billions in Alaska tax breaks. Giving away billions without requiring anything in return is a fool’s game. And it’s killing our schools.
Read More →
