Letters to the editor

Solidarity between our School Board and Assembly proves that education transcends party lines

To the editor:

Our community disagrees on many things, yet we are witnessing a rare moment of alignment on the one thing that matters most: our students' success.

On Sept. 9, our School Board, Borough Assembly, and state legislators sat down together to speak with one voice. Their message was clear: Without an increase in state education funding, our schools face a crisis no amount of local belt-tightening can fix.

The Mat-Su is known for fiscal conservatism. When local leaders, who have already scoured the budget for every possible efficiency, state that the current funding model is unsustainable, we should listen. The borough has stepped up, but the state is falling behind on its constitutional obligation. We simply cannot be expected to run 2026 schools on a budget largely frozen in 2017.

With a looming $23 million deficit, the choice isn’t between different programs; it’s between survival and devastation. Whether your child attends a neighborhood, charter, or homeschool program, they are all being squeezed by the stagnant Base Student Allocation (BSA).

The crisis extends to the literal walls of our buildings. We face $244 million in deferred maintenance. At 13 schools, boilers have outlived their 25-year life expectancy. Our HVAC systems are being kept alive by the hard work of maintenance crews and pure luck. When the state fails to fund the BSA or school bond debt reimbursement, they aren't "saving" money; they are shifting the costs onto our children, who are left to learn in aging, deteriorating facilities.

Fortunately, leaders like Senator Rob Yundt have shown real backbone, advocating for a meaningful BSA increase despite political headwinds. He recognizes that our local economy is inextricably linked to the quality of our schools. Parents are grateful for Senator Yundt's courage and leadership.

In an era of deep divides, the solidarity between our School Board and Assembly proves that education transcends party lines. It is time for the rest of our state leadership to follow the Mat-Su’s lead. I encourage my neighbors to demand that Juneau invests in our children by stabilizing the BSA and making an inflationary adjustment this year.

Brooke Gerkin,

Palmer

Why a plaque matters in our schools

To the editor:

Recently, the land acknowledgment plaques were quietly removed from schools in the Mat-Su Valley. It happened in a school board meeting with no community input. At first, it might not seem like a big deal, but it really matters.

Growing up here, from K 10 and then at Job Corps in Palmer, I learned almost nothing about the true history of this land. Most of what we focused on was the colonial side of things. I do not bring this up to point fingers. Students are missing out on learning about the Indigenous peoples who have cared for and lived on this land for generations.

Acknowledging the land is more than remembering the past. It is a way to bring the beauty, wisdom, and knowledge of Alaska Native culture into our schools today. It shows that what students learn in class connects to the place they live and the people who have lived here long before us. Removing the plaques takes away a simple but visible reminder that this knowledge belongs in our classrooms.

As a parent who has raised kids here, I cannot stress enough how important it is for all students to see that everyone’s history matters. A plaque is not just words on metal. It is a small but meaningful way to show respect, spark curiosity, and make our schools feel more inclusive.

If you think these plaques should return, there is something you can do. Reach out to the school board, send a quick email, or attend a meeting. Even small actions from people like us make a difference in local decisions.

A plaque may seem small, but it carries a big message. Respect, recognition, and education. That is something everyone in the Valley can get behind.

Crystal Howard,

Wasilla