Alaska educators urge consideration of state fiscal plan

Submitted by Nile Mueller
Phone: (907) 474-7272
06/21/04

On the eve of a special legislative session called by Governor Murkowski to address state spending, Alaska educators spoke with the press via audio conference on Monday to urge consideration of a state fiscal plan.

In attendance via audio conference were: Carol Comeau, Anchorage School District Superintendent; Mark Hamilton, President, University of Alaska; Betty Walters, Kodiak Island Borough School District Superintendent; Jim Elliott, Rural Education Attendance Areas Superintendent; Rich Mauer, Chair, State Board of Education & Early Development; Harry Martin, Ketchikan Borough Superintendent; and Jeff Jesse, Legislative Chair, Alaska State PTA.

The governor has called the legislature into special session to consider legislation to address a fiscal plan he believes will provide financial stability for Alaskans. The governor’s plan includes modernization of the management of the permanent fund and a constitutional guarantee for at least 10 years of minimum dividend checks of $1,000. Under the proposal 50 percent of the fund earnings will go towards dividends, 45 percent to education and 5 percent to local communities.

The group all agreed that the legislature and the governor should be thanked for their support of education. The educators made clear they were speaking as advocates for education, not as advocates for any specific plan. "The governor’s plan has merit, as do some of the plans being considered by members of the legislature," said Jim Elliott. "The crucial element of any plan will be sustainable and adequate funding for Alaska’s public schools--kindergarten through university."

UA President Mark Hamilton said, "The Governor and the legislature have done a remarkable job to this point of funding and growing the state in a fiscally unstable environment, but it can’t continue. High oil prices can’t continue to lull us into complacency regarding the need for more dependable revenue. The time for a plan is now, while we have revenue. We can’t wait until there is a funding crisis to develop a long range plan--there’s too much at stake."

Carol Comeau, Anchorage School District Superintendent spoke of the bright economic future Alaska can enjoy if the state is able to make the necessary investments. "Alaska is waiting for a fiscal solution or a series of contributing fiscal solutions that will support and nurture the many economic opportunities available to us." Comeau agreed with others on the audio conference that the state’s continued support for education is the single most important long term fiscal investment the state can make.

The educators were in agreement that the time for a fiscal plan is now, that they believe the public is ready and willing to support a reasonable plan, and that the Governor’s call for a special session is an important step in getting the focus and structure necessary for the momentous discussion and debate that will lead to the development of Alaska’s long term fiscal plan.

Contact:

Carol Comeau, Anchorage School District Superintendent (907) 742-4312

Mark Hamilton, President, University of Alaska (907) 474-7311

Betty Walters, Kodiak School District Superintendent (907) 486-9230

Jim Elliott, Superintendent of REAA’s (907) 822-3234

Rich Mauer, Chair, State Board of Education (907) 353-7667

Harry Martin, Ketchikan Borough Superintendent (907) 247-2136

Jeff Jesse, Legislative Chair, Alaska State PTA (907) 632-2561