Anchorage School District
District
FY25 Media and FAQs
ASD has more than 7.8 million square feet of facilities and maintains the largest public facility footprint in the State of Alaska. As Alaska’s largest public school district, ASD budgets nearly $21 million annually for building and preventive maintenance. A quality school’s functional life, without major renewal, ranges from 30 to 50 years. However, for ASD’s 86 school buildings—many built in the population boom of the 1960s and 1970s, additional funds beyond the maintenance budget are required.
FAQs
- How has ASD addressed budget decisions in recent years?
- Is STEAM learning replacing IGNITE?
- What is the rationale behind the proposed elimination of Art and Health teacher positions?
- How will the proposed STEAM curriculum benefit students compared to the existing Art and Health classes?
- What are the financial implications of implementing the STEAM curriculum compared to maintaining the current programs?
- How will the workload of teachers be affected by the proposed changes, particularly for classroom teachers expected to teach additional subjects?
- What efforts have been made to involve the community and stakeholders in the decision-making process?
- What specific plans and resources are in place to support the implementation of the STEAM curriculum, including teacher training and curriculum materials?
- What considerations have been given to the potential long-term effects on student well-being and academic performance resulting from the shifting art instruction to STEAM?
- How will the proposed changes address the needs of diverse learners, including those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds or with special educational needs?
- What measures are in place to ensure transparency and accountability in decision-making processes within the school district?
- How will the proposed changes align with the district's overall vision for education and student success?
- I am concerned over the reductions to the IGNITE program