PoliticsAnchorage · May 26, 2026
schools just got a raise
Alaska lawmakers approved more than $140 million in new public education funding before the 2026 session ended.
Daily Alaska staff · May 26, 2026 · Anchorage
The Alaska Legislature approved an increase of more than $140 million in public education funding before adjourning its 2026 session on May 20, combining a one-time payment with a boost to the per-student funding that districts receive statewide.
School districts in Anchorage, the Mat-Su Valley, Fairbanks and rural Alaska have spent the past year facing budget deficits, staffing shortages and program cuts, and the increase in per-student funding addresses one of their most repeated requests to lawmakers.
The final amount fell short of the larger increases some lawmakers had pushed for earlier in the session, but education advocates described it as the most significant step toward stable school funding in years.
For parents, students and teachers across Alaska, the funding decision will shape class sizes and determine which programs continue into the next school year.
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Questions people ask
How much new money did Alaska schools get this year?
More than 140 million dollars, combining a one-time payment and an increase in per-student funding that'll help school districts stretch their budgets.
When did the Alaska Legislature approve the school funding?
Before the 2026 legislative session adjourned on May 20.
Which school districts are getting the new funding?
Districts statewide, including Anchorage, the Mat-Su Valley, Fairbanks, and rural Alaska.
Did schools get everything they asked for?
The final amount fell short of the larger increases some lawmakers pushed for earlier in the session.
Evidence
Sources
Claims and where they come from
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