The annual dance that decides the level of state funding for education predictably started with a slow waltz but ended with a frantic jitterbug. When the music stopped and the emails started to flow describing what had happened, it became clear that the state legislators had put enough money into education to keep the school boat afloat for another year. I send thanks to all our parents and district employees who spent time lobbying our legislators to help them understand the need for more funding. While I can be somewhat skeptical of lobbying efforts, it appears that they were worthwhile.
At the state level including the Governor’s office, there was a lot of reluctance to adding money to our schools. This was due to the perception that recent education funding additions had not led to improvement. It is important to note however, that our Kenai legislators never took this stance with us. We are in the unique position of having the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate representing parts of our borough. I know that we benefit from our close ties to this leadership. All of us at KPBSD are thankful that our local legislators supported increases to education. I am also pleased that they worked hard to share this level of support with their colleagues in the House and Senate. This summer if you run into Speaker Chenault, Representative Dick, Senator Giessel, Representative Hawker, Senator Kookesh, Representative Olson, Representative Seaton, Senate President Stevens,and Senator Wagoner, then tell them thanks for supporting our schools.
Kenai Legislators Support Education
The annual dance that decides the level of state funding for education predictably started with a slow waltz but ended with a frantic jitterbug. When the music stopped and the emails started to flow describing what had happened, it became clear that the state legislators had put enough money into education to keep the school boat afloat for another year. I send thanks to all our parents and district employees who spent time lobbying our legislators to help them understand the need for more funding. While I can be somewhat skeptical of lobbying efforts, it appears that they were worthwhile.
At the state level including the Governor’s office, there was a lot of reluctance to adding money to our schools. This was due to the perception that recent education funding additions had not led to improvement. It is important to note however, that our Kenai legislators never took this stance with us. We are in the unique position of having the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate representing parts of our borough. I know that we benefit from our close ties to this leadership. All of us at KPBSD are thankful that our local legislators supported increases to education. I am also pleased that they worked hard to share this level of support with their colleagues in the House and Senate. This summer if you run into Speaker Chenault, Representative Dick, Senator Giessel, Representative Hawker, Senator Kookesh, Representative Olson, Representative Seaton, Senate President Stevens,and Senator Wagoner, then tell them thanks for supporting our schools.