Education state funding appreciated

MAT-SU -- Now that the state legislature has approved a compromised budget package that increased state K-12 education funding by $82 million for the 2004-2005 school year, local educators are celebrating the $8.2 million increase the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District will receive.

"We're very appreciative of our Legislators' efforts to substantially increase statewide education funding. It certainly helped to remove any immediate threat and prevented the loss of $8 million in programs and services for our students," said Bob Doyle, the district's chief school administrator.

Kris Moore, founder of Valley Voices for Children, a grassroots group that pushed for education funding in the legislature this year, is also pleased with the increase.

"This year has been awesome, i'ts really provided an opportunity for understanding, and now we will be able to explore other doors next year," Moore said. "The public has become part of the public process, and this funding is a great start."

Doyle agreed that while the funding this year is appreciated, next year the legislature will have to revisit education funding.

"We're not done. For the past 10 years, we have been forced to cut important programs and services because our revenue has not kept pace with inflation. Although the statewide increase restores us to this year's current level of services, our families have communicated that status quo is not enough for our children," Doyle said.

Barb Morris, president of Mat-Su Education Association, expressed a similar view.

'I'm really pleased that the legislature gave the largest boost to education in recent history," Morris said. "Certainly it helps the district hold harmless, but I am disappointed that we don't have a fiscal plan because it puts us back in the same boat next year in getting adequate funding for our schools."

Ann Kilkenny, a parent and a member of VVC, expressed gratification not only for the legislators, but also praised Doyle on his leadership abilities.

"Bob Doyle didn't invite cannibalism by saying, 'If you don't like these cuts, what do you want to cut?'," Kilkenny said. "Instead he told us that we needed to make the state step up to the plate. He should be commended for bringing us together."

Now that the legislative session has ended, Doyle has positioned the district for the next step in receiving adequate education funding.

"Our next step is to garner full funding from the Borough to allow us to restore some of what has been lost in past years," Doyle said. "With full funding, we could hire nearly 50 teachers to reduce class sizes in Kindergarten and first grades, increase the number of course offerings for middle and high school students and offer physical education on a daily basis for every middle school student."

"This will help us reach our goal of having all students proficient in reading at grade level by 2006."

Because the increase in state funding also increases the borough's allowable funding cap, Doyle is requesting an additional $2.7 million from the borough.

Contact Jen Ransom at jen.ransom@frontiersman.com