Alaska lawmakers prioritize school maintenance funding amid neglect

Alaska lawmakers are focusing on school maintenance funding after a report revealed severe neglect in rural schools, particularly in Alaska Native communities. A school in Sleetmute has been condemned due to years of underfunding, highlighting a maintenance backlog of billions. Since 2020, the state has allocated less than 20% of the recommended funding for school maintenance. Governor Mike Dunleavy's budget draft for this year does not include the $333 million recommended by the education department, raising concerns among lawmakers about prioritizing school infrastructure. Lawmakers are considering changes to the funding application process for rural schools, which face challenges in securing maintenance funds. The state has a history of underfunding school infrastructure, and many projects have been delayed or deprioritized, particularly those in rural areas.