Volcano update... and stimulus dollars

The wind was with us... no ash here in Anchorage.

On education funding, Palin, and Alaska.

I am of mixed emotions regarding the possibly rejected education stimulus funding.

On one had, it just seems silly to turn down free money.

On the other hand, for a few years now, I have been utterly convinced that the secret to improving our education system is curriculum reform, not more money.  I am also sort of sceptical about whether the school districts will be able to go cold turkey in two years once the money runs out.

For example, let's say the funds go to free after school tutoring for disadvantaged kids... great idea, but expensive.  In two years, once the money runs out, is Alaska just meant to turn of the spigot?

Too bad we couldn't take the money, spend it all on building brand new insulated fuel efficient schools, and set ourselves up for less spending over the next 10 - 15 years.

Strings attached, blah, blah, blah...