Key Takeaways:

• The Board approved a resolution directing administration to identify possible consolidation and operational efficiency options as part of addressing the FY27 budget deficit.
• If flat state funding continues, ASD projects an additional $42 million deficit in FY28.

Next steps:

• Identified options will be posted publicly by February 14.
• The Board will receive and discuss recommendations during the February 17 School Board meeting, with public input welcomed.
• A final vote on the FY27 budget is anticipated during the February 24 Special School Board meeting.

On Monday, February 9, 2026, the Anchorage School Board held a Special School Board meeting at 6 p.m. 

Work sessions, committee meetings, and Board meetings are open to the public. Meetings take place at the Education Center and can be watched live or on demand on the District’s YouTube Channel.

Anchorage School Board Resources:

Calendar of upcoming meetings

School Board meeting agendas

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Board Meeting Review

Resources from this meeting:

The Agenda, as presented, was approved by the Board. 

Recording

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Public Comment

Close to 50 community members provided public comments during the Special School Board Meeting.

Public comments were related to the proposed budget and initial resolution and  focused heavily on the following:

• Student activities and athletics
• Elementary specialists model
• Regional nursing model
• School consolidations/Rightsizing
• Special education and student supports
• Charter and Optional programs

Many speakers emphasized the importance of protecting student-facing programs and services, noting concerns regarding student engagement, safety, and mental health. They also expressed concerns on how programs would be sustained with the newly proposed models and staff reductions. 

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Action Items

 ASD Resolution #25-26-01(S.1) Directing the ASD Administration to Identify School Consolidation and Operational Efficiency Options to Preserve and Strengthen Student Academic Programs.

The School Board approved the resolution by a 5–2 vote.

The resolution directs the administration to identify possible school consolidation and operational efficiency options to help preserve and strengthen student academic programs as part of the FY27 budget process. The resolution is a directive with parameters and context from the Board. It does not approve school closures and does not make final decisions about specific schools or programs.

Some key details in the resolution:

• The School Board must adopt a balanced budget for the 2026–27 school year and submit it to the Anchorage Assembly by March 2, 2026.
   
• ASD would need approximately $90 million in additional funding to maintain current services and programs as they exist today. The deficit is driven by:
   
  • Continued declines in student enrollment
  • Inflation that has reduced per-student purchasing power by approximately $1,400
  • Largely flat and unpredictable state education revenues
     
• Even after balancing the projected $90 million deficit for FY27, if flat State funding continues, the District is projecting additional deficits of:
   
  • $42 million in 2027–28
  • $30 million in 2028–29
     
• In November 2025, the Board declined to advance the 2025-26 Rightsizing ASD recommendation presented by the administration.
   
• Since that time, updated financial information, increased community focus on preserving student programs, the urgency of the FY27 budget timeline, and the administration’s long-term financial projections have prompted the Board to revisit previously analyzed consolidation options and consider whether new options should be evaluated.
   
• The resolution identifies types of school facilities that may strain resources and reduce the District’s ability to consistently provide strong academic programs and student supports across all schools, including:
   
  • Underutilized elementary school facilities
  • Elementary schools with low enrollment levels
  • Elementary schools operating two academic programs with low enrollment in one or both programs
  • Small and/or underutilized secondary school facilities
     
• Given the current timeline, the Board is directing the administration to rely primarily on its most recent analyses, while also identifying any new opportunities to promote efficiencies or consider facility repurposing.
   
• Identified options must be posted publicly no later than February 14, 2026.
   
• Public feedback on newly identified options or consolidation proposals will be accepted:
   
  • Before or during the February 17, 2026 School Board meeting
  • In writing prior to the February 24, 2026 Special School Board meeting

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Upcoming Dates & Deadlines for the Public

Saturday, February 14, 2026

• Identified consolidation or efficiency options must be posted publicly by this date.

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

• Administration will formally present identified options to the School Board.
   
• Public feedback may be provided before or during the meeting, including in-person, telephonic, and written testimony.

February 17–24, 2026

• Written public feedback will continue to be accepted following the February 17 meeting.

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

• A Special School Board meeting is scheduled where the Board intends to vote on a final budget. There will not be public testimony during this meeting.

This report is from the ASD Administration. We hope that you find these updates valuable. As always, we welcome your feedback and thoughts at TeamASD@asdk12.org