They have also prepared contingency plans for if the governor's proposed cuts go through. These cuts are horrifying, and are a very real possibility. They are not a political stunt, but what will really happen if the enemies of public education have their way. One such anti-education proponent spoke at the meeting today complaining that Alaska's graduation rate is low, and thus schools should be cut because they aren't pulling their weight. I wanted to reply that was a logical as saying that because there are too many fires, the fire department should be cut.
By sending a budget that ignores the governor's draconian politics (but still preparing for an apocalyptic future [okay ... I may have overdone the hyperbole ... but not by much]), the school board is demonstrating that our students are their first priority. It is a powerful and positive message that fills me with hope. Now we just have to get the rest of the state on board.