Early this week, the Alaska Federation of Natives passed a resolution requesting the Alaska State Legislature to increase the base student allocation (BSA) in fiscal years 2015–2017.
“Today, AFN is disappointed in the failure of the legislature to increase the BSA funding,” said AFN President Julie Kitka. “We will regroup with our legislative representatives and work next session. We hope the Governor will consider a special session to address issues which didn’t get completed.”
AFN vows to work with both urban and rural legislators on next steps, including addressing the issue at this year’s AFN Convention in October.
AFN supports an increase to BSA of $400 in FY 2015 and increases of $125 in each FY 2016 and FY 2017 to replace the educational funds that have been lost to inflation since the Legislature last increased the BSA in calendar year 2011, and ensure a stable and predictable source of funding for our schools before the BSA will have to be re-examined.