As I head into my 30th year as a teacher in the Juneau School District, I have high hopes that Gov. Bill Walker and Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott continue as leaders of our state. Their work to support children, families and state resources has remained steadfast through four years of fiscal crisis.
Together they effectively took on the Alaska Education Challenge with a large public input process to advance access to an excellent education for every child every day throughout Alaska. We need to continue in this trajectory to further improve our public school system and enhance student learning.
As legislative budget work hit stalemates year after year, school budgets floundered, causing pink slips or layoff notices to be given by the hundreds. Many teachers left the profession or left the state due to this annual instability. This year, Gov. Walker signed off on a bill to forward-fund education. Districts will now be able to plan and prepare in a timely manner. As teacher retention impacts student learning, forward funding education will positively impact the system.
Furthermore, Gov. Walker and Lt. Gov. Mallott have taken action in support of social workers and public safety officers, too. As state budgets were cut by 44 percent since 2013, Walker-Mallott kept children, families, public safety and economic growth as priorities. They have navigated through a dire fiscal time with a vision for a strong future. Our Permanent Fund Dividend is protected now, growing for generations to come. In 2012 the PFD payout was about $800 and in 2018 is projected to be almost double that. Their decisions may not have always been easy or popular, but their actions demonstrate their commitment to building Alaska for a robust and stable future.
Finally, I support the Walker-Mallott ticket, as I believe they have proven to be the best candidates to invest in our children, our schools and our communities. Data shows when we strengthen our schools we are taking long-term steps to reduce crime, to catalyze our economy and to lessen the strain on our health care system. We need a governor who is willing to fight for our future and protect children’s education.
Amy Jo Meiners,
Juneau
