The Alaska Legislature passed House Bill 174: REAA Fund: Mt. Edgecumbe, Teacher Housing on a vote of 34-5 in the House and a unanimous vote in the Senate. The bill expands use of the Regional Education Attendance Area and Small Municipal School District (REAA) School Fund to include Mount Edgecumbe High School (MEHS) projects and rural teacher housing.
Over 400 students from more than 100 Alaskan communities attend MEHS, but MEHS school officials cannot request to be placed on the major maintenance list like all other school districts. HB 174 allows MEHS the same opportunity to apply for funding rather than relying solely on the Executive Branch for maintenance.
“HB 174 levels the playing field for Mt. Edgecumbe when it comes to receiving maintenance funds,” said bill sponsor Representative Robyn Niayuq Burke (D-Utqiaġvik). “As a graduate of Mt. Edgecumbe, I know how this school is near and dear to the hearts of many rural Alaskans.”
“Mt. Edgecumbe is an Alaskan success story and we should help their continued excellence. Placing them on equal-footing with all other schools is the right thing to do,” said Senate Finance Co-Chair Bert Stedman (R-Sitka).
Meanwhile, rural school districts across the state struggle with limited housing options for their educators. While collaboration between the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) and Denali Commission have resulted in the building of quality rental housing for public service providers, AHFC does not offer assistance in major maintenance. HB 174 will enable rural school districts to apply for major maintenance grant funding for teacher housing from the REAA fund.
HB 174 now heads to the Governor for final consideration. Contact Rep. Burke at [email protected] or 907-465-3473 for more information.
Be the first to comment