Education

High school culinary arts teacher and former Juneau Education Association President Chris Heidemann testifies before the Board of Education on Oct. 28. (Mari Kanagy/Juneau Empire).

Juneau School District initiates arbitration. The teacher’s union disagrees

This step comes after months of collective bargaining.

 

Mari Kanagy/Juneau Empire
The digital billboard on Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé says “Substitutes Wanted.”

Superintendent addresses school district successes, concerns

Graduation numbers are climbing, and staffing gaps are persisting.

 

The Alaska Legislature’s vote tally shows 45-14 in favor of overriding Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of education funding in the state budget during a joint session in Juneau, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (Screenshot courtesy Gavel Alaska/KTOO)
The Alaska Legislature’s vote tally shows 45-14 in favor of overriding Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of education funding in the state budget during a joint session in Juneau, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (Screenshot courtesy Gavel Alaska/KTOO)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Federal education funding to be released after monthlong delay

The federal funding freeze blocked around $420,000 to the Juneau School District

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Bob Girt works with the Alaska Youth Stewards on Prince of Wales Island in 2022. (Photo courtesy of Bethany Goodrich / Sustainable Southeast Partnership)

Threads of the Tongass: Building a sustainable future

ā€œThese students can look back and say, ā€˜I helped build that. I was a contributor.ā€™ā€

Bob Girt works with the Alaska Youth Stewards on Prince of Wales Island in 2022. (Photo courtesy of Bethany Goodrich / Sustainable Southeast Partnership)
Children are photographed outside their now shuttered school, Pearl Creek Elementary, in August 2024 in Fairbanks, Alaska. (Photo provided by Morgan Dulian)

My Turn: Reform doesn’t start with cuts

Legislators must hold the line for Alaska’s students

Children are photographed outside their now shuttered school, Pearl Creek Elementary, in August 2024 in Fairbanks, Alaska. (Photo provided by Morgan Dulian)
Deena Bishop, commissioner of the Department of Education and Early Development, discusses the status of school districts’ finances during a press conference with Gov. Mike Dunleavy at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: The fight to improve public education has just begun

We owe our children more than what the system is currently offering

Deena Bishop, commissioner of the Department of Education and Early Development, discusses the status of school districts’ finances during a press conference with Gov. Mike Dunleavy at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Kahyl Dybdahl, left, and Bronze Chevis eat an egg sandwich breakfast before school at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

School board allocates extra state funds

More state funds available, but funding issues and federal uncertainty abound

Kahyl Dybdahl, left, and Bronze Chevis eat an egg sandwich breakfast before school at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Andy Engstrom (left) uses bitcoin to buy lemonade and cookies from business owner Denali Schijvens (right) on Saturday, July 5, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Alaska’s 1st Bitcoin conference held in Juneau

State leaders discuss integrating Bitcoin in Alaska energy, investment and universities

Andy Engstrom (left) uses bitcoin to buy lemonade and cookies from business owner Denali Schijvens (right) on Saturday, July 5, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Skylar Taug, 6, holds up a snow globe following a crafts project Tuesday afternoon during RALLY. “We try for a ‘Wow!’ every day,” said Christina Ackmann, RALLY site manager for Sít Eetí Shaanáx-Glacier Valley Elementary School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)

Juneau School District decides to close the RALLY program

The summer RALLY program will continue through the district’s advertised end date of Aug. 8

Skylar Taug, 6, holds up a snow globe following a crafts project Tuesday afternoon during RALLY. “We try for a ‘Wow!’ every day,” said Christina Ackmann, RALLY site manager for Sít Eetí Shaanáx-Glacier Valley Elementary School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Juneau Board of Education meets and discusses a resolution in response to the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development’s draft regulation on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Public comment period opens for proposal limiting local governments’ contributions to schools

JSD’s potential loss from limiting non-instructional funding becomes more significant after review

The Juneau Board of Education meets and discusses a resolution in response to the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development’s draft regulation on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire
Sacred Ground baristas Raven Salduvar and Mackenzie Gray serve coffee in their new location, Aan Hít, on Sunday, June 22, 2025.

‘Healthy tribes make healthy communities’

Richard Peterson speaks to the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce about building opportunities for Juneau

Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire
Sacred Ground baristas Raven Salduvar and Mackenzie Gray serve coffee in their new location, Aan Hít, on Sunday, June 22, 2025.
Then-Rep. Grier Hopkins, D-Fairbanks, speaks on the floor of the Alaska House, Wednesday, May 18, 2022. Hopkins is now the mayor of the Fairbanks North Star Borough. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Officials warn of possible lawsuit in wake of Alaska governor’s education funding veto

Among issues are if veto violates Alaska’s constitutional guarantee of adequately funded public schools.

Then-Rep. Grier Hopkins, D-Fairbanks, speaks on the floor of the Alaska House, Wednesday, May 18, 2022. Hopkins is now the mayor of the Fairbanks North Star Borough. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Juneau state Rep. Andi Story (left) and state Sen. Jesse Kiehl (standing) participate in a legislative town hall at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Monday, June 9, 2025. Both are among the six legislators named to an education task force on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Legislature forms six-member education task force, including two from Juneau, to study funding and policy

School accountability, absenteeism and open enrollment among issues members will consider.

Juneau state Rep. Andi Story (left) and state Sen. Jesse Kiehl (standing) participate in a legislative town hall at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Monday, June 9, 2025. Both are among the six legislators named to an education task force on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Kristin Bartlett, chief of staff for the Juneau School District, discusses the new cellphone policy on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

School board OKs limits on student cellphone use

New regulation seeks to reduce distractions, sparks privacy concerns for some members.

Kristin Bartlett, chief of staff for the Juneau School District, discusses the new cellphone policy on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau School District Superintendent Frank Hauser watches Deena Bishop, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, discuss the federal disparity test for education funding provided by states during a Senate Education Committee meeting Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

State education board delays decision limiting local funding for schools

DEED blames local contributions for failure of disparity test — testimonies point the finger back.

Juneau School District Superintendent Frank Hauser watches Deena Bishop, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, discuss the federal disparity test for education funding provided by states during a Senate Education Committee meeting Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Serjoe Gutierrez plays violin with the Kodiak High School Orchestra during warm ups (Brian Venua/KMXT)

Alaska schools need teachers. They’re hiring them from the Philippines.

Alaska schools are hiring teachers from the Philippines amid a massive national shortage. It’s the latest wave of immigrants from Southeast Asia to come to… Continue reading

Serjoe Gutierrez plays violin with the Kodiak High School Orchestra during warm ups (Brian Venua/KMXT)
Hayden Aube is the first student to receive his diploma from Principal Paula Casperson during Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s graduation ceremony Sunday, May 25, 2025. Aube, a multisport star athlete for the Crimson Bears, was in a wheelchair after sustaining an injury Saturday competing in the Region V Track and Field Championships. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Class of 2025: Expanding by consolidating

Former TMHS students get tributes as nearly 300 seniors walk the stage in first post-merger commencement.

Hayden Aube is the first student to receive his diploma from Principal Paula Casperson during Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s graduation ceremony Sunday, May 25, 2025. Aube, a multisport star athlete for the Crimson Bears, was in a wheelchair after sustaining an injury Saturday competing in the Region V Track and Field Championships. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Yaaḵoosgé Daakahídi High School’s seniors enter the Dzantik’i Heeni gymnasium during the school’s graduation ceremony Sunday, May 25, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)

Yaaḵoosgé Daakahídi High School celebrates Class of 2025

38 seniors get individual tributes from their advisors before walk across stage at Dzantik’i Heeni.

Yaaḵoosgé Daakahídi High School’s seniors enter the Dzantik’i Heeni gymnasium during the school’s graduation ceremony Sunday, May 25, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)