Alaska
Opinion: We’ve done what the governor says Alaska school districts refuse to do. Now we’re at the breaking point.
As the superintendent of the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, I feel compelled to respond to the recent opinion article by Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Education Commissioner Deena Bishop (“We’re not going to stop pushing for better Alaska student outcomes”) advocating for increased educational “options” and implying that districts like ours resist innovation to preserve the status quo. This narrative misrepresents both our district’s efforts and the real fiscal challenges we face.
In Fairbanks, we’ve made the hard decisions year after year in our school district. We’ve closed schools, consolidated programs, reduced administrative positions, outsourced evening custodial positions, and sought out efficiencies at every level. We’ve done this while navigating declining enrollment and a state education funding formula that has failed to keep pace with inflation for more than a decade.
When state leaders claim that districts like ours resist innovation or cling to the status quo, they aren’t just being unfair — they’re misrepresenting the truth. These assertions perpetuate a false narrative that undermines public confidence and damages enrollment in our schools.
Over the past four years, the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District has closed seven schools. These were difficult and emotional decisions to ensure that we could continue serving our students responsibly and sustainably. We have streamlined our operations, reorganized academic programs and redirected limited resources to classrooms where they matter most. These are exactly the kinds of changes critics call for — and we have already made them. We’ve shown innovation by streamlining, reorganizing, redirecting and focusing on what matters most, even when funding stops showing up.
We’ve done what the governor and others say school districts refuse to do. Yet despite all of these difficult and proactive steps, we still face significant funding shortfalls that directly affect our classrooms. The reality is this: doing more with less can only go so far. Continued underfunding is now eroding the quality of education we can provide, and we have already reached that breaking point.
Fairbanks has not stood still. We’ve embraced innovation and modernization in ways that reflect the diverse and evolving needs of our families. We’ve expanded career and technical education opportunities, strengthened blended and online learning options, and partnered with community organizations to support student mental health and early literacy. These efforts aren’t relics of the past; they are forward-looking, equity-driven strategies rooted in data and community feedback.
[Earlier commentary: Alaska education reform doesn’t start with budget cuts]
At the same time, we cannot ignore the reality of chronic underfunding. While some disingenuously claim that education funding has grown significantly in recent years, they fail to account for the full picture. Inflation, rising operational costs, and limitations in Alaska’s funding model have steadily eroded our real purchasing power. If the Base Student Allocation had simply kept pace with inflation, Fairbanks schools would be receiving approximately $30 million more each year. That funding would reduce class sizes, restore student support positions, and prevent program cuts that harm students.
Today, some classrooms in Fairbanks have more than 35 students — a clear reflection of the strain on our resources. We’ve had to make difficult decisions, including reducing teaching and counseling positions and limiting vital services that families rely on each day. When we talk about “saving jobs,” we are referring to the teachers, aides, librarians, and specialists who provide essential instruction, care, and support to our children. These positions are not bureaucratic; they are fundamental to student success.
The governor often points to Mississippi as a model for improving literacy outcomes. We agree that Alaska should aim for similar progress. But what he fails to acknowledge is that Mississippi made major investments to achieve that success — including more than $9 million in the first year and $15 million annually to fund literacy coaches and early intervention. In contrast, Alaska’s Reads Act, though promising in its design, has not been supported with the level of funding needed to deliver meaningful results. Good policy is only effective when matched with sustained investment. We cannot replicate outcomes without replicating inputs.
We also support the idea that families deserve options, and in Fairbanks, we offer a range of public school choices, including charter and homeschool programs. But we cannot expand “choice” by weakening the neighborhood schools that serve the vast majority of students — especially those with disabilities, English language learners and students who require additional support. When we shift resources away from these core schools, we undermine equity, stability, and access for all.
Despite what you may hear, Alaska’s public school leaders are not obstructionists. In fact, over the past two legislative cycles, our lawmakers have worked across party lines to support both increased education funding and thoughtful policy reforms. Unfortunately, each time meaningful progress has been made — including the most recent bipartisan effort to raise the Base Student Allocation — the governor has chosen to veto those advances rather than build on them. That is not collaboration. It is a refusal to meet in the middle. It’s a refusal to honor the hard work elected legislators from across our state have done to support all students in Alaska.
We welcome a different path. I invite the governor and commissioner to visit our schools, speak with our educators, and hear directly from our community. Come see how Fairbanks is working tirelessly to adapt, innovate and serve every student — even with fewer resources than we had a decade ago. The time has come to stop drawing battle lines and start building solutions together like we have seen the Legislature do.
If we are serious about improving education in Alaska, then we must fully fund our schools, protect vital teaching positions and ensure that policy reforms are supported with the resources required to succeed. Our students deserve more than rhetoric and political gridlock. They deserve a public education system that values both opportunity and excellence.
Fairbanks has done the hard work. Now we need a true partner in the state. All of Alaska’s children are counting on us.
Luke Meinert serves as superintendent of the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District. He has held leadership and teaching roles with the Aleutians East, Yukon-Koyukuk and Fairbanks school districts.
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Two US soldiers were wounded by a brown bear during a training exercise in Alaska on Thursday, the US Army stated.
Anchorage Daily News reported that the soldiers were from the 11th Airborne Division, and that the exercise had been a “land navigation training event” near Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
State wildlife officials said that the bear attack seemed to be a defensive one, from a bear which had recently emerged from its den. Staff members from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game collected evidence at the scene in an attempt to learn more about the bear, such as its species and gender.
“The incident is currently under investigation, and we are working closely with installation authorities and local wildlife officials to gather all relevant information and ensure the safety of all personnel in the area,” the 11th Airborne Division said in a statement, reported ABC News.
ABC News also cited an 11th Airborne Division spokesperson, Lt.-Col. Jo Nederhoed, who said that the two soldiers had been seriously wounded, but were receiving care at a hospital in Anchorage, and had shown improvement by Saturday morning.
“We hope both individuals have a full and quick recovery, and our thoughts are with them during this time,” Fish and Game Regional Supervisor Cyndi Wardlow said in a statement reported by Anchorage Daily News. “In this case, having bear spray with them in the field may have saved their lives.”
Both of the soldiers reportedly had and used bear spray during the attack.
The bear’s condition and whereabouts are currently unknown.
Up, up and away … that’s where most travel prices are going.
It’s true. Not only are our nation’s geopolitical thrusts in the Mideast affecting the cost of your fill-ups, every component of your trip from airfares to car rentals and hotel stays are subject to price hikes.
Imagine filling up a jetliner with jet fuel that’s doubled in price. It’s enough to melt your credit card, regardless of the number of points you get for every dollar spent!
Because the price of oil affects everything, higher prices are eating away at your travel budget in many ways.
Bag fees
There’s lots of press on this. All airlines are increasing their checked-bag fees because of the jump in fuel prices.
Back in 2009, Alaska Airlines instituted a $15 fee for the first checked bag and $25 for the second bag. At the time, there was no charge for the first bag and a second bag was $25.
Last week, Alaska Airlines, along with other major airlines, increased its fees to $45 for the first checked bag and $55 for the second bag. Delta Air Lines charges the same.
Even if the cost of oil comes down, I don’t expect bag fees will ever be reduced.
Travelers who live in Alaska are somewhat insulated from the new hikes because both Delta and Alaska Airlines offer two free checked bags, with conditions:
1. Alaska offers two free checked bags for travelers flying to or from Alaska who are enrolled in Club 49. This does not affect other flights on Alaska. Separately, ATMOS credit card holders can get a free checked bag. Also, elite members of the ATMOS scheme get one or two free checked bags systemwide.
2. Delta offers two free checked bags for travelers flying to or from Alaska who are SkyMiles members who live in Alaska. Again, this does not apply to other Delta flights. Separately, Delta American Express cardholders can get a free checked bag.
3. Elite-level travelers with the oneworld airline cartel, including Alaska Airlines, can get one or two checked bags on American, British Airways, Japan Airlines, Qantas or other oneworld carriers.
[Anchorage’s international airport rolls out self-driving wheelchairs]
Main Cabin vs. Basic Economy
The spread between the lowest available price, Basic Economy, and a more flexible ticket, Main Cabin, has increased. While the difference used to be $20-$30 each way when the Basic Economy scheme was introduced in 2018, the round-trip upcharge now can exceed $100.
For example, the lowest Basic fare to Portland is $337 round-trip on Alaska Airlines. The upcharge to Main Cabin, with full loyalty points, pre-assigned seats and more flexibility on changes and cancellations, is $447, a 33% upcharge.
This trend is not specifically attributable to the new Iran War. It’s just a cost that continues to rise.
New fees
I’m impressed at the creativity of airline people who dream up new fees. Here are some of my favorites from Alaska Airlines:
1. Phone reservations: $15
2. Partner award booking fee: $12.50
3. Pet travel fee: $100 in the cabin, $200 in the baggage compartment with a kennel
4. Left on board item return fee: $20
On Condor Airlines, operating the only nonstop service from Anchorage to Europe, travelers can choose from four different bundles in economy class. The least-expensive, Economy Zero, from $840 round-trip, features fees for travelers:
1. Carry-on bag fee, up to 8kg: $35; a small bag like a purse always is included for free
2. Checked bag: $75
3. Airport check-in: $30
All three of these fees are included in the next-highest fare bucket, Economy Classic, from $900 round-trip. It’s cheaper to buy the bundle than it is to buy the components a la carte. Seat assignments are additional, from $25 for economy.
Airfares on the rise
There are a few good deals available for travel to select West Coast/Intermountain destinations in May, including:
1. Anchorage-San Francisco on Alaska Airlines, from $307 round-trip. Fly May 15-28 only. Add $90 round-trip for Main cabin.
2. Anchorage-Los Angeles on Alaska Airlines, from $317 round-trip. May 15-25 only. Add $90 round-trip for Main.
3. Anchorage-Phoenix on United, Delta or Alaska, from $267-$287 round-trip. Fly May 8-June 9 only. Add $90-$100 for Main.
4. Anchorage-Denver $357 round-trip on Delta. Fly May 8-June 9 only. Add $90 round-trip for Main.
For travel to other destinations, or later in the summer, be prepared to pay more.
Flying to Hawaii? Alaska Air’s nonstop prices out at $706 round-trip between May 30 and June 6. Add $110 round-trip for Main.
Nonstop flights from Anchorage to Salt Lake City start at $669 round-trip with Delta on May 17. That’s $100 more than the cost for the same flights last month. Add $90 more for Main.
Hotel costs continue to rise, accompanied by pesky resort fees.
The Outrigger on the Beach in Waikiki is a very nice beachfront hotel. It’s not plush, or the nicest property. But it’s solid. The cost is $334 per night.
But there’s more: a $50 per night resort fee, plus a variety of taxes and charges, totaling $112.55 per night.
Down in Seattle, the Sound Hotel in the Belltown neighborhood is marketed by Hilton. The discounted rate for “Honors” members — it’s free to join — is $313.34 per night for a king room in late May. Taxes and fees add an extra $56.40 per night.
There’s no appreciable bump yet for hotel rates as a result of the oil price surge. Yet. But if these hotel rates seem high, they’re in line with hotel rates in Anchorage this summer. At the Sheraton in Anchorage in June, it’s $450 per night, plus $54 in taxes and fees, when booked at Expedia.
Car rentals are not cheap
My go-to site for car rentals is the Costco site, which compares major brands and automatically includes Costco discounts.
In Las Vegas, for a one-day rental in May, Budget charges $67 per day, which includes taxes and fees of $22.77. In Anchorage, the same kind of car, medium SUV, costs $92.97 with Alamo.
The biggest differences so far in car rental rates seems to be the bill you’ll pay when you fill up the tank before returning. There’s no appreciable jump in prices because of the new war.
When it comes to making travel arrangements for the spring and summer, it’s more risky making completely non-refundable arrangements.
I made the decision to purchase most of my summer travel plans in advance, but only after determining I would not need to change the dates. Particularly with airline tickets, it’s expensive to change your dates.
There’s lots of uncertainty regarding travel arrangements, particularly international travel. As fuel prices go up due to oil shortages, travel companies will look for ways to recoup the increased costs. In most cases, those higher costs will be borne by travelers.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz has led to a decrease in oil prices nationally, but Alaska’s senior senator said the state faces a different situation that could threaten rural communities.
“If you can’t produce power because you don’t have the diesel or you just can’t pay the prices, your little communities can collapse,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said at a Friday press conference at the Arctic Encounter Summit in Anchorage.
The price of oil has been a double-edged sword for Alaska. On one hand, the increased price of North Slope oil brings more revenue to the state, but consumer prices can also rise.
North Slope oil prices were $106.36 a barrel on Thursday.
“This is a very precarious time,” Murkowski said. “Our state has enjoyed a bounty because we have benefited from the higher prices of oil that goes into our treasury, but it’s the Alaskans in … the off-road communities that are threatened to be hit most hard.”
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