Dozens of schools in rural Alaska are at risk of losing faster internet access due to a legal impasse over a sweeping education bill. Lawmakers say they are optimistic about the progress of the bill, known as Senate Bill 140, but their actions suggest otherwise.
On Thursday, the House Finance Committee considered a standalone bill that would increase internet speed limits for Alaska schools, an attempt to change the law before it’s too late for schools to qualify for subsidies.
The move is a sign that lawmakers are not confident in passing SB 140 quickly. SB 140 was originally drafted to increase internet speeds, but was amended by House Majority Caucus leaders to include other education demands, including increasing the base quota for students. , a key component of the state’s per-pupil funding formula for public schools.
The bill considered Thursday, House Bill 193, would use state funding and federal assistance to increase the minimum internet speed in state schools from 25 megabits per second to 100 megabits per second. Education advocates say the bill is about educational equity in rural Alaska, where internet is expensive and slow.
The Finance Committee on Thursday heard testimony from remote districts that said internet speeds needed to be increased from the current minimum.
Kuspuk School District Superintendent Madeline Aguilar said the district’s schools have had to administer online standardized tests at different times because internet connections are so slow. “Additional schedules should be built in to monitor when users sign in to their devices,” she said. “We have a remote technical director who monitors bandwidth usage to ensure we are maximizing every site every day.”
At one of her district’s schools, all courses are taught online, and she said the increased speed is critical.
Jennifer Eller, director of educational technology for the Bering Strait School District, said schools are only able to access the internet with the help of grants.
“The cost of internet access is not always properly factored into student allocation base funding,” she said. “Internet access in Alaska’s rural schools can no longer be viewed as an adjunct to learning. Providing an equitable 21st century educational experience is necessary and essential.”
Lawmakers need to act quickly to increase internet speeds starting next year. Schools must submit state aid application forms by the end of February to meet her end-March deadline.
Meanwhile, delegations from the House Majority Caucus and Senate Majority Caucus are in private negotiations to break the impasse on SB140, which also includes increased internet speeds.
Participants described a six-member group that included Sen. Lyman Hoffman, a Bethel Democrat. Loki Tobin, D-Anchorage; Rep. Bill Wilechowski, D-Anchorage, and Rep. Jamie Allard, R-Eagle River. Craig Johnson, Republican of Anchorage. and Jesse Sumner, R-Wasilla.
Wierechowski said the most controversial issues are basic student quotas, funding for distance schools and charter schools.
Republican-controlled House members support a small BSA increase, as does Gov. Mike Dunleavy, but senators want a larger number.
The problem, Wierechowski said, is that if the BSA steps up to meet senators’ demands, the House majority could drop its support.
A minority vote in the Democratic-controlled House could make up the difference in the House, but the minority is not included in the negotiations.
Johnson said a large BSA increase could also sway Dunleavy’s support.
Even if the governor did not veto the Legislature-approved version of HB 140, he could veto the budget item to reduce public school funding in the annual budget, effectively reducing the BSA’s increase. There is a possibility that it will happen. Therefore, the governor’s support is essential for any plan.
The bill, HB 193, which focuses solely on internet speed, has a chance for educators to pass it in time, but the timing is tough. Rep. Dan Ortiz (I-Ketchikan) expressed interest in removing the bill from committee on Thursday, while Rep. Julie Colomb (R-Anchorage) submitted an amendment to the committee. He said he wanted to do so, but said it would delay the bill’s introduction by several days. day to day.
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