Dear Editor: The following letter was sent to Gov. Dunleavy.
Dear Governor Dunleavy: As a fellow graduate of Pennsylvania public schools, I know we both carry the values and experiences that come from a well-supported public education. It’s those very roots that helped shape who we are today. Since moving to Alaska, I have spent nearly 30 years serving as a public-school elementary teacher.
I’m writing to urge your strong support for a meaningful and lasting increase to Alaska’s Base Student Allocation (BSA). Despite our state’s vast geography, diverse communities, and unique educational needs, the BSA has remained virtually stagnant for years, lagging far behind inflation and the real costs of delivering quality education.
To put it in perspective: In 1979, the year you graduated high school in Pennsylvania, that state invested approximately $2,098 per student – which, when adjusted for inflation, would be around $8,600 today. By contrast, Alaska’s current BSA in 2025 is still just $5,960, not even matching the inflation-adjusted investment levels of 45 years ago – and far below Pennsylvania’s current $21,985 per student spending – nearly three times Alaska’s current BSA. This disparity is especially striking considering Alaska’s unique challenges: remote rural schools and higher transportation and energy costs.
Governor Dunleavy, you and I know firsthand what it means to benefit from a robust public education. As a former educator and administrator, and as someone who’s walked the halls of Pennsylvania’s schools, you know that investing in education isn’t just about numbers — it’s about outcomes, opportunity, and equity. Our students deserve a future that mirrors the opportunity you and I were given through our own public-school journeys. Please make the bold and necessary choice to increase the BSA – not incrementally, but meaningfully – so our students, teachers, and communities can thrive.
Respectfully,
Lorrie Heagy, Juneau
2011 Alaska Teacher of the Year
