Students stage statewide walkout over Governor’s veto to SB140

Snowy, wet conditions weren’t enough to deter students from around the Matanuska Susitna Borough School District (MSBSD) from taking part in a state-wide student walk out Thursday morning, a response protesting Governor Mike Dunleavy’s recent veto to SB140.

The walkout comes weeks after a bipartisan $246 million education bill that included a $175 million increase for per-student funding, also known as the Base Student Allocation formula, was vetoed by the Governor.

“This bill would benefit us kids and my siblings. Cutting over $600 for each student? That would benefit so many of us kids who need that money because us Houston kids, a lot of us are poor,” said Destinie Boltz, who was one of handful of students at Houston High School who braved the snow to protest.

Students left classes to gather outside shortly after 11 a.m. and stood in the cold and sometimes snowy weather for 40 minutes, representing the number of legislators needed to override the Governor’s veto, which failed by one vote last month.

Boltz said that money is one the things students and schools need the most, saying it would help improve access to equipment, books, and perhaps specialty staff.

“Cutting money to the things we need, what will help us thrive is not good. I think about my younger sister who would benefit her because she’s so far behind in school. Yeah, we have a whole new school, but that came from insurance, but if there’s any way to help get better things for my sister and the others coming after us, then I’m for that. That’s why I’m out here today.”

Unlike previous student walkouts earlier in the school year, this walk was planned for across the state, and organized by the Alaska Association of Student Governments, the governing body that does oversee the MSBSD’s Student Advisory Board (SAB), which is maintaining neutrality of the walkout.

“As the Head Student Representative, I remain neutral regarding the walkout, recognizing that not all students share a unified perspective on the Governor’s veto,” said SAB Student Representative Ben Kolendo, affirming the SAB’s position on the walkout, before adding, “However, I firmly support students exercising their constitutional right to freedom of speech by participating in the walkout, and I will ensure their rights are upheld.”

When he vetoed the bill, Governor Dunleavy issued a statement defending his decision.

“SB 140 contains a record increase in the BSA. Although I SUPPORT an increase to the BSA – there were no new approaches, other than enhanced funding, to increase educational outcomes,” Dunleavy wrote. He addressed that the BSA wasn’t his only reason for the veto. “SB 140 lacked sufficient changes in how charter schools are chartered in order to allow more students and families charter school possibilities.”

The now vetoed SB140 originally started as a rural school internet funding bill, which includes $40 million to the Alaska School Broadband Assistance Grants (BAG) program. Combined with federal grant dollars, the funding has the potential to secure 100 Mbps internet download speeds.

The governor has promised to continue working with lawmakers and to review education budgets after the session ends.