Press Release

Judge signs order releasing Fiscal Year 2020 education funding

July 17, 2019

(Anchorage, AK) – Attorney General Kevin Clarkson today issued the following statement after Superior Court Judge Daniel Shally signed an order submitted jointly by attorneys from the Department of Law and the Legislature releasing education funding for Fiscal Year 2020:

“We recognize the importance of the constitutional question presented to the court on this matter, but also want to ensure that Alaska’s schools receive funding while this litigation proceeds,” said Attorney General Kevin Clarkson.

Judge Shally’s order states that “for good cause and in the public interest” the joint motion is granted and state funding for education shall be disbursed on a monthly basis while this matter is pending before the court. The calculation for the funds released will be based on the public school funding formula under AS 14.17.410(b) and the pupil transportation funding formula under AS 14.09.01.

The order, signed July 16, 2019, was distributed to the parties this morning.  The Attorney General notes the parties seek expedited consideration on this lawsuit and will file a proposed order with a briefing schedule to that effect.

CONTACT: Current Media Contact, Assistant Attorney General Maria Bahr at (907) 269-5285 or maria.bahr@alaska.gov.

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Department Media Contacts: Communications Director Patty Sullivan at patty.sullivan@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6368. Information Officer Sam Curtis at sam.curtis@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6269.