Landmark school funding lawsuit comes to trial
October 2, 2006

Parents, educators, school districts charge inadequate financial commitment to schools
violates Alaska Constitution

 Parents, educators, and school districts who challenged the constitutionality of the state’s funding for schools are finally getting their day in court.  Moore vs. State of Alaska, the landmark school funding lawsuit, comes to trial today. 

The lawsuit charges that the state violates the Alaska Constitution because it does not invest enough money in its schools to provide an adequate education for all students. Alaska’s Constitution states, “the legislature shall by general law establish and maintain a system of public schools open to all children of the state.”  But the state has consistently and repeatedly failed to provide an adequate education for all children. 

 “Over the past two decades, while Alaska has enjoyed unparalleled wealth, we have systematically reduced our investment in our schools,” said NEA-Alaska President Bill Bjork.  “Inflation alone has cut the value of each education dollar almost in half.”

Bjork noted that in the past three years, Alaskans have finally seen some progress with increased funding from Juneau—but most of the increases have been shifted to meet increased energy, insurance and retirement costs. Very little has actually made it into classrooms. 

“Adequacy in school funding is THE civil rights issue of our day,” said Bjork. “Our lawsuit is a natural extension of the Brown vs. Board of Education case that struck down segregated schools 52 years ago.” 

Moore vs. State of Alaska also builds on Alaska’s Molly Hootch and Kasayulie lawsuits in its intent to ensure that every Alaska child has access to an adequate education.

The litigation is the latest in a series of school finance lawsuits filed in states around the country over the past half-century.  “Overwhelmingly, these lawsuits have been successful,” said Bjork.  “And I’m confident that we will prevail in ours.”

He added, “There is much more at stake here than children and their education.  We are fighting for our families, our communities, our economy, and our future.” 

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit are:  Parents Kristine & Gregory Moore of Wasilla, Mike & Maggie Williams of Akiak, Melvin & Rosemary Otton of Koyuk, Wayne and Martha Morgan of Aniak, and Jerry S. Dixon of Seward; Bering Strait School District, Yupiit School District, and Kuspuk School District; Citizens for the Educational Advancement of Alaska’s Children (CEAAC), and NEA-Alaska.

The trial is expected to last a month.  It is being conducted in Alaska Superior Court in Anchorage with Judge Sharon Gleason presiding.  Plaintiffs ask that the court order a cost analysis for providing a constitutionally adequate education, and then order the state to fund that education accordingly.