The Anchorage School Board is sending a resolution to Juneau asking for a $920 increase in per-pupil funding to reverse cuts and keep schools open
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The Anchorage School Board passed a resolution during a special meeting Tuesday urging the Alaska Legislature in the final days of the session to pass a bill to permanently increase the per-student funding amount by $920.member of the school board who helped to author the resolution, along with fellow members Kelly Lessens and Paul McDonogh — another newly-elected member — called it a “Hail Mary” effort to bring back positions and programs that were cut to balance the Fiscal Year 2027 budget in light of a $90 million deficit.
RELATED: Lawmakers propose per-student BSA funding increase after leaders say education is deteriorating The resolution states that if the BSA increase is approved by June 1, The Anchorage School District will not only restore many cuts to the classroom, but will also reverse theASD Chief Operating Officer Jim Anderson said reversing school closures in June would be difficult, pointing out that the process of packing up and moving students to other schools would be well underway and that teachers would have already been reassigned. Anderson said by late June, about 60% of the move to place students in other schools would be completed and that staff would already be reassigned, but he added that it’s not impossible.
ASD Superintendent Jharrett Bryantt agreed that a funding increase was preferable but said the district and school board also need to plan on the best way to receive one-time funding should that be passed by the Legislature, which some believe is more likely. Legislators passed an increase to the BSA in 2025, overriding Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of the bill to make it happen, but they may not be willing to fight for a permanent increase this session.
When asked about the BSA resolution voted on Tuesday, Sen. Löki Tobin, D-Anchorage, who serves as Chair of the Senate Education Committee, said she “appreciates” the request by the school board.
“During my time in the Alaska State Legislature, I have been a staunch advocate for increasing base student funding,” Tobin said, in part, in an emailed statement. “Last year, I worked diligently to pass the largest increase in base student funding in Alaska’s history, and I continue to advocate for additional resources for our public school system.
”In passing the resolution, which will be sent to legislators in Juneau, board members acknowledged that restoring any programs or schools is entirely hypothetical based on legislative funding. They urged community members to contact their legislators and advocate for the BSA increase.
Mike Nield, a parent attending the meeting who has been fighting to keep Campbell STEM Elementary open, said he was gratified the board considered that a priority if the funding was granted, but said he wished the school’s fate wasn’t in the hands of the legislature and that Anchorage officials would keep it open regardless of whether money from Juneau comes through. Palmer man found dead after disappearing under possible ‘suspicious’ circumstances PFD update: Citing dire consequences, senators send House operating budget rejecting last-ditch attempt for full dividend15 stolen guns, $25k+ in property recovered after woman found hiding in Anchor Point home burglary caseWarming is good, even if it is gradual!
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