State of concern: Valley residents stress education as they voice opinion on proposed state budget

PALMER — Nearly 300 members of the public gathered at Fronteras Spanish Immersion School to voice concerns to the Valley’s legislative delegation Feb. 23. While opinions and proposed solutions ranged far and wide, a majority of speakers were opposed to Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s initially proposed budget.

One of the most discussed topics was the governor’s proposed cuts to education funding. Many teachers and Mat-Su Borough School District staff spoke wearing red to support education.

“There is vast bodies of research supporting the economic impacts of early childhood development,” Jenny Barr said. “We must bolster our education system not diminish it. If you choose to defund our schools, you choose to devalue our children and threaten the social and economic future of our great state.”

A strong contingency of citizens who have not yet reached voting age came forward to speak.

“These budget cuts will greatly affect my education,” Teeland Middle School student Kennedy Clark said. “When I told my mom that I wanted to speak here today, she informed me that cuts to education would affect her employment.”

Not all of the 69 members of the community who came to Fronteras to speak to their legislators were supporters of education.

“I cannot believe how stupid kids test up here in this state when you have 23 percent efficiency in reading that means you’ve got close to 80 percent of your kids are basically semi illiterate,” Mike Alexander said.

A member of the crowd interrupted Alexander, shouting ‘not true!’

“I want to see the budget stand as it is. I’m not going to be out here whining and crying about it because we’re out of money that’s the way it is,” Alexander said.

Patricia Chesbro, former MSBSD Superintendent and Palmer High School principal, claimed that the budget problem is not due to spending, but lack of revenues.

“It is inaccurate to say that the school district has never cut the budget,” Chesbro said. “The oil companies might be able to pay for a few more taxes.”

Clark was not the only MSBSD student who spoke. Amanda Johnson’s two sons both spoke to legislators.

“My teachers are nice and I don’t want to hurt good teachers,” Dylan said.

Dylan’s brother also spoke before Amanda informed the legislators that early childhood development and speech and language development was particularly necessary for her children.

“My teachers tell me I’m important. Do you think so too?” questioned her other son.

Teachers were quick to dispel commentary about the poor quality of education offered in the Valley.

“I bust my butt to do the very best I can possibly do every single day,” Michael Backus said.

Backus had to hold for the applause he received from the crowd. Backus implored the legislators to vote for their neighbors’ children.

“I also think it’s hilarious, absolutely hilarious that in our state the governor continues to stand tall, I think he’s sort of cowering behind save the PFD,” Backus said.

Ed Kizer argued that the government cannot generate it’s own revenue.

“The only way to increase revenue is to promote the growth of private industry. That’s what needs to be done to improve the economy here in this state and to allow the education system to have the money that it wants and desires,” Kizer said.

Many who spoke concerning education showed support for MSBSD educators.

“Kids should be able to get a free appropriate public education to prepare them for their lives ahead. The governor’s proposed cuts would put an end to that. Please support kids,” Tim Walters said.

Oil revenues and tax structures were the second most mentioned topic.

“You can tax every working Alaskan in this room and you still wouldn’t have a balanced budget.

You could take every oil tax credit and give it back to the oil industry and still not balance this budget. What we’re spending today, we need to start being responsible and I don’t know what that means but I’m hoping for the conversation to start taking place,” Greg Pugh said.

Mike Swanson believes that some of the blame can be shifted onto previous legislatures who spent irresponsibly.

“We have to change what we’re doing and these cuts are going to hurt. My concern with the cuts is they’re not entirely affable. We know we’re not going to change things without adjusting education without adjusting Health and human services but we can look at oil revenues,” Swanson said.

Other speakers attempted to shed light on other areas of improper spending.

“We spend 79 million for illegals in this state every year. They’re not citizens. They don’t deserve jack,” Tammy Miller said.

Contact Frontiersman reporter Tim Rockey at tim.rockey@frontiersman.com.