The Association of Alaska School Boards (AASB) is dismayed by Governor Mike Dunleavy’s decision to veto more than $51 million in public education formula funding for FY2026 — an unprecedented action that violates the state’s statutory obligations and threatens the stability and effectiveness of Alaska’s public schools.
The Legislature, in a rare act of bipartisan compromise, passed House Bill 57 with a more than three-quarters majority to raise the Base Student Allocation (BSA) by $700, reflecting the minimum level necessary to prevent catastrophic program cuts, school closures, and educator layoffs. The governor’s $200 per student reduction — more than a quarter of the new funding — comes just weeks before the start of the fiscal year, throwing school districts into turmoil and forcing last-minute, deep cuts to essential services.
“This is the first time since the BSA was enacted in 1999 that a governor has refused to honor the statutory school funding formula,” said AASB Executive Director Lon Garrison. “This veto is not just a rejection of legislative compromise — it is a rejection of Alaska’s students, families, and local governance.”
The vetoed amount represents a 28.6% reduction from the statutory BSA increase, and when compared to last year’s one-time funding, districts are actually seeing a 26.5% cut in operational revenue. These cuts will dismantle core educational programs, including those the governor has previously supported, such as increased access to charter and correspondence schools, and push school districts toward crisis-level decisions.
The governor’s additional vetoes of $25 million in school facility maintenance, $5.7 million for early learning, and nearly $1 million in teacher recruitment and retention funding further compound the harm.
The legislature honored its constitutional duty to “establish and maintain a system of public education.” The governor has not.
AASB will work closely with districts in the coming weeks to document the real-life impacts of these vetoes and will continue to inform the public and policymakers about the consequences. As we approach July 1, the effective date of the budget, the damage will be immediate — educators will leave, class sizes will swell, and communities will lose vital school services.
We call on the Alaska Legislature to stand firm in its commitment to public education and act swiftly to override these harmful vetoes whenever it reconvenes. Waiting until January for an override will not prevent near-term harm; it is essential to restore trust, stability, and hope for Alaska’s public schools and students.
In the words of the famous poet Jack London and author of “The Cremation of Sam McGee”: “A promise made is a debt unpaid.”
The state made a promise to Alaska’s children. The legislature acted to fulfill it. The governor has chosen to abandon it.
Alaska’s future deserves better.
Association of Alaska School Boards
Juneau, AK
2025 AFN Convention Sponsorship & Exhibitor Opportunities
The Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) is excited to announce that the 2025 Annual Convention will take place from October 16 to 18, 2025, at the Dena’ina Civic & Convention Center in Anchorage, Alaska. This year’s theme is “Standing Strong, Standing United.”
We are looking forward to gathering in person once again. Last year, we welcomed over 6,500 delegates, Alaska Natives, sponsors, and visitors to the 2024 Convention. We would like to express our gratitude to our sponsors for their contributions, which played a significant role in the success of the event.
Sponsorship
Please consider becoming a sponsor today. We offer various levels of sponsorship with many benefits. You can find all the details by visiting www.nativefederation.org/sponsors. Additionally, you can download our 2025 Annual AFN Convention sponsorship packet.
Exhibitors
We are currently accepting exhibitor applications! Each year, we showcase about 100 exhibitors during the Convention. Space is limited, so please fill out the application today. You can access the application and view other important information by visiting www.nativefederation.org/exhibitors. Please be aware that some criteria have changed.
For more information, please contact Nikki Stoops at [email protected].
Alaska Federation of Natives
Anchorage, AK
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