State Does It Again: Alaska Fails To Comply With Requirements, Risks Losing $400 Million To Schools

THE FINE PRINT 

 State Risks Losing Hundreds Of Millions Due To Non-Compliance Involving Pandemic Funds For Schools  

It's The Second Time In Only A Few Months The State Of Alaska Failed To Comply With Basic Requirements

As In Federal Road Funding SNAFU, Alaska Is Only State In The Union That Is Out Of Compliance. 

FROM THE ALASKA BEACON...

Missteps from Alaska’s Education Department could cost the state millions in federal grants

BY: CLAIRE STREMPLE - MARCH 28, 2024 

A STORY FROM THE ALASKA BEACON 

A JUNEAU SCHOOL (ALASKA BEACON) 

The state government risks losing millions of dollars in federal funding because it did not comply with requirements for pandemic relief funds, according to a letter from the United States Department of Education.

The result is a federal “high risk” designation that could cost the state grant funding. Members of the Senate Majority caucus said the state could lose more than $400 million.

“Without a plan and quick action, our local schools could be out additional federal resources, and the responsibility will fall onto the state coffers to fill the gap,” said Senate President Gary Stevens in a press release.

What happened is this: The state was supposed to maintain its funding to districts that got federal relief dollars, but it shorted several school districts with students from low-income families in 2021 and 2022. That news was first reported by KTOO in Juneau.

The state now owes the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, Anchorage School District, Juneau Borough School District, and Fairbanks North Star Borough School Districts roughly $29 million.

Last month, the federal education department gave the state 30 days to develop a plan to repay the districts. The state failed to do so, according to federal officials.

To resolve the issue, Gov. Mike Dunleavy could request supplemental appropriations to be considered by the Legislature in the current session, they said.

Alaska is the only state that has not met or produced a plan to meet the federal requirements to receive pandemic relief for its schools.

Education Commissioner Deena Bishop could not be immediately reached for comment.

Sen. Löki Tobin, D-Anchorage and chair of the Senate Education Committee, said lawmakers were told by the state Education Department that it was working on a fix late last year.

That committee was set to hold an emergency hearing next Wednesday afternoon, but state administration declined to attend until after it has responded to the federal government. Legislative Finance and Austin Reid, an expert in federal education policy for the National Conference of State Legislatures will make presentations.

“Despite being assured by the department and commissioner that a resolution was in the works, the state has failed its duties,” Tobin said.

READ ALASKA BEACON STORY HERE: https://alaskabeacon.com/briefs/missteps-from-alaskas-education-department-could-cost-the-state-millions-in-federal-grants/