By Julie Reynolds
As a concerned citizen of Cordova, I’ve written to state and local representatives many times before. I usually receive a courtesy auto-reply, but have never received a reply that argued with me and tried to place blame elsewhere. When I wrote the following letter to Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s office in April, beseeching him to support an increase to the Base Student Allocation to keep up with sky-rocketing inflation, the reply from Todd Smoldon, Director, Matsu Office of Gov. Dunleavy, broadly accused Alaska school principals and administrators of not supporting their staff and explained the governor’s veto of the bipartisan education budget increase by saying there was no guarantee that additional funding would improve results. In fact, he said that Dunleavy has increased funding (about 8% since 2007—17 years!) and supports increased education funding. However, only with reforms designed to expand charter schools. Unfortunately, that one-size-fits-all approach does not fit all communities, especially rural communities like Cordova. We need to pay our teachers and paraprofessionals more in a world where inflation hits everything hard except salary increases. I urge you to write to Dunleavy’s office here https://gov.alaska.gov/contact/ explaining that public education has to be a focus for permanent increased funding to ensure the future of Alaska, where teachers create all other occupations.
Below is a copy of my correspondence with the governor, sent on April 23, 2024:
Dear Governor,
I hope this letter finds you drowning in remorse for your disgraceful decision to veto the increase to the Student Base Allocation in Alaska. As a furious mother, elementary school secretary and concerned citizen, I am appalled by your blatant disregard for the future of our children and the education system in our state.
Do you even comprehend the repercussions of your selfish actions? Your reckless veto has deprived our schools of much-needed funds that would have gone towards providing better resources, smaller class sizes, and improved educational opportunities for our students. Our school district, specifically, is contemplating not replacing two retiring teachers, which would eliminate P.E. and swimming classes, as well as discontinuing meal service and extracurricular activities, both of which are integral in student’s school success. Are you so blinded by your political agenda that you fail to see the dire consequences of underfunding education?
Let me remind you, Governor, that our children are the future of Alaska. They deserve every chance to succeed, to learn, and to thrive. Yet, you have callously stripped them of these opportunities with your veto. Shame on you for prioritizing your political agenda over the well-being of our youth.
Do you have any idea how hard teachers work, how much they sacrifice, only to be met with inadequate resources and overcrowded classrooms? Your veto has insulted every dedicated educator in our state, and it has betrayed the trust of every parent who entrusted you to safeguard our children’s future.
I demand that you reconsider your decision immediately. Do the right thing for once in your political career and prioritize the education and welfare of our students over your own selfish interests. If you continue down this path of ignorance and neglect, rest assured that you will face the wrath of every outraged parent, every indignant teacher, and every concerned citizen in Alaska.
Governor, you may think you have won this battle, but mark my words, the fight for our children’s education is far from over. We will not rest until justice is served, and our schools receive the funding they so desperately need and deserve.
With disgust and disappointment,
Julie Reynolds, a Mad Mom and Proud Alaska School Employee
