The House Education Committee has taken a lead in introducing legislation to forward fund education for the next three years. House Bill 317 will increase the Base Student Allocation for the next three years and also increase block funding to school districts for the purpose of vocational education and training. Should the legislation pass, the Juneau School District could see an increase of $646,723 for career and technical education, and an increase of $1,151,651 for the Base Student Allocation.

Forward funding education brings planning stability to school districts and more time for teachers to focus on education without the disruption of the teacher layoff/re-hire cycle that was common prior to forward funding.

This bill captures one of the house majority caucus key priorities to better prepare young Alaskans for high demand career areas of construction and trade, mining, health care and process technology.

HB 317 confirms to Alaskans, educators and parents the legislature’s commitment to education.