Key takeaways:

Board Approves Memo Detailing How to Allocate $32 Million in HB 263 “Waterfall” Funding

The plan directs $14.5 million to address needs during the current school year and preserves $17.6 million for FY28, including funding to maintain approximately 123 teacher positions.

---

On Tuesday, September 15, 2026, the Anchorage School Board held a Work Session at 3 p.m. and a 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

---

Work Session

The Board Work Session agenda is available to review. 

The topic of discussion was ASD Memorandum #037 - FY 2026-2027 Proposed Budget Revisions Discussion.

The memo provides background information on funds received since the initial ASD FY 2026-27 school year budget was passed as well as revisions to the budget since its adoption. 

Additional Funds Received Since ASD FY 2026–27 Budget Adoption

The Alaska Legislature passed legislation providing additional funding to ASD for FY 2026–27:

May 2026

House Bill 28 changed the Required Local Contribution (RLC), resulting in a net increase in state funding to ASD of more than $6 million.

House Bill 263 provided one-time education funding, including $5,539,634 in energy relief funding for ASD.

August 2026

HB 263 also provided for one-time “waterfall” education funding based on available state revenue. On August 31, 2026, the District received confirmation that ASD would receive approximately $32.19 million.

Revisions to the FY 2026–27 Budget Since Adoption:

Since the FY 2026–27 budget was adopted in February 2026, the School Board has approved several budget revisions:

ASD Memorandum #006 approved $8 million to restore 59.5 teacher FTE, $715,000 to restore 5.5 nurses, $625,000 for English Language Arts curriculum, $440,000 for charter schools and $704,000 for Activities Addenda and transportation.

ASD Memorandum #011  approved $437,000 to fully fund Alaska Middle College School (AMCS).

ASD Memorandum #016S approved an additional $6.8 million based on the expectation that ASD would receive at least some of the HB 263 one-time funding, with the District's unallocated fund balance serving as a backstop if additional State funding was not received.

The funds approved through Memo #016S were allocated to restore up to 45 school-based positions, highly gifted transportation, and athletic transportation and practice access.

Memorandum #037 Discussion

ASD Memorandum #037 appeared on the September 15 School Board agenda as an action item. The Work Session provided an opportunity for Board members to ask questions about the Administration's proposal and discuss a proposed substitute amendment before the Board's evening meeting.

The Administration's original proposal included $14.58 million in FY 2026–27 investments, with $17.61 million retained in fund balance to reduce future-year reductions. Under the original proposal, the projected FY 2027–28 deficit would be reduced to approximately $26.66 M.

The Administration's recommendations included:

Recommendation	Amount
Backfill funding from ASD Memorandum #016S to reinstate emergency reserve funds	$6,800,000
Charter School Funding	$2,102,000
Student Supports and Personnel	$3,700,000
Snow Removal and Safety/Security Contracts	$500,000
Student Activities	$400,000
Program-Specific Student Transportation	$1,080,000

 

Program-specific transportation included funding for the King Tech third session, highly gifted services for the second semester and second-semester student activities.

 

Proposed Substitute Amendment

Board President Carl Jacobs and Vice President Kelly Lessens presented a proposed substitute version of Memorandum #037:

Asd Memorandum #037s From School Board President Carl Jacobs And Vice President Kelly Lessens

The substitute would reduce the original proposal by $3 million, including a reduction in Student Supports and Personnel from $3.7 million to $700,000. The substitute would retain more than $20 million of the HB 263 waterfall funding for future-year use, with the intent of preserving approximately 144 teaching positions in FY 2027–28, including positions needed to maintain the middle school model.

The substitute also proposed:

• Continuing high-dose tutoring, with flexibility for the Administration to determine whether the funding should support elementary and/or secondary students.
• Providing approximately $50,000 to support contracted services with the Anchorage School-Based Health Centers during the spring semester.
• Supporting additional high school credit recovery opportunities.
• Clarifying that, except for legal or contractual compliance and budget corrections, one-time FY 2026–27 investments made since July 1 would not be included in the Administration's preliminary FY 2027–28 budget proposal.

The proposed substitute was discussed during the Work Session but was not voted on during the Work Session. Board members were scheduled to continue debate and consider action during the evening Board meeting.

School-Based Health Centers

Heather Ireland of the Anchorage School-Based Health Centers spoke about the organization's current funding needs.

The centers provide regular services at five schools and part-time services at three additional schools. Ireland said the program has grown by nearly 40% since receiving municipal grant funding from 2023–25. The organization was not funded through that source in 2026 and has been drawing down reserves, which are expected to be exhausted by December without additional funding.

Ireland estimated that approximately $50,000 would be needed to continue current services during the spring semester, based on anticipated fall billing revenue and available resources.

Staffing and FY 2027–28 Budget Planning

Board members asked about vacancy trends, the availability of candidates to fill current vacancies, and whether the District has enough applicants available to support additional positions this school year.

Chief Human Resource Officer Martin Lang said teacher candidate pools are generally larger in the spring and become smaller as the school year approaches and progresses. Special education positions have been difficult to fill for many years, and the District has more recently seen increased difficulty filling elementary education positions. Secondary teacher vacancies have generally been easier to fill in recent years.

Administrators also discussed the role of long-term substitutes as both classroom coverage and a potential recruitment pipeline. Long-term substitutes are temporary, non-benefited employees who assume the responsibilities of a classroom teacher when filling a known vacancy. Administration said the District has increasingly relied on long-term substitutes who do not hold teaching certificates, but who hold at least bachelor's degrees.  Some long-term substitutes have moved into emergency certification pathways and eventually into full-time teaching positions.

The discussion also addressed the future budget impact of using one-time funds for current-year positions and programs. Chief Finance Officer Andrew Ratliff explained that, under the proposed amendment to Memo #037, approximately $17.5 million in FY 2026–27 expenditures could be treated as nonrecurring, meaning those expenses would not be carried into the FY 2027–28 budget. Under that scenario, the projected FY 2027–28 deficit would be approximately $6 million.  Ratliff emphasized that the District would still need to identify additional reductions to balance the FY 2027–28 budget and that schools and students would feel the impact of not continuing positions and programs funded with one-time money.

Board members also discussed the timing of the FY 2027–28 budget process. The Board must adopt a balanced budget in February, with Board guidance to the Administration occurring earlier in the budget cycle. Members discussed how decisions about one-time funding could provide greater stability and predictability for Administration and schools as planning for the next budget year begins.

---

Board Meeting 

 

The agenda as drafted was approved by the Board. 

 

Reports

 

Board Conference and Committee Reports

 

Member Paul McDonogh provided an update on his attendance at the Student Advisory Board (SAB) meeting. Members learned about Robert’s Rules of Order and discussed a question about how the teacher retirement system is impacted by the state retirement system. The SAB also discussed the District’s AI policies.

Member Margo Bellamy said committee meetings will take place next week. She also reminded members that the Association of Alaska School Boards’ deadline to apply to run for a Board of Directors seat is October 9. The election will take place during the annual conference.

Members also discussed a resolution that could potentially be submitted to AASB. The deadline to submit a resolution is October 7.

Member Paul McDonogh provided an update on the Rightsizing Ad Hoc Committee. He said the committee has not met again since its last meeting but that he has been working with the Administration to plan and visualize the website rollout and community announcements, which will go live soon.

McDonogh also said he has spoken with Assembly members about a misconception that the Ad Hoc Committee is related to a motion made during the June joint meeting. He said the issues surrounding joint collaboration are complex, so he prepared a report outlining where collaboration is allowable. 

---

Goal Monitoring

 

Board Goal 3.0:

The percent of students graduating College, Career and Life (CCL) ready, as measured by four-year graduation rates, will increase from 81% in June 2023 to 90% in June 2028.

 

Interim Goal 3.1:

The percentage of students in grades 9-11 who are “On Track” for graduation will increase from 66.6% in June 2023 to 90% in June 2028.

 

Presenting Administrators:

 

Superintendent Dr. Jharrett Bryantt

Sr. Director High School Education Eric Backman

Director Wellness Support of Mental Health & Student Supports Allison Susel

Supervisor Migrant Education Carmela Ramirez  

Director Indigenous Education Jaime Galvan 

Director Federal Programs English Language Learners Bobbi Lafferty

Coordinator Child In Transition Program David Mayo-Kiely

Director Federal Programs Title 1 Michael Webb

Director Special Education Secondary Transition Kelsey Bouslaugh

 

The report from the discussion is available to view.

 

Progress at a Glance

Baseline: 66.6% —> June 2023
Current: 75.58% —> June 2026
Goal: 90% —> June 2028
Evaluation: Far below target

Administrators shared progress toward Interim Goal 3.1, which measures the percentage of students in grades 9–11 who are on track for graduation based on credits earned.

While the current rate of 75.58% remains below the 90% target, the District has seen an 8.98 percentage-point increase since the June 2023 baseline. Administration reported an average annual gain of approximately 3 percentage points over the past three years.

Administration acknowledged that the District is not currently on pace to reach the 90% target by June 2028. The original goal required an average gain of approximately 5 percentage points each year. However, the Administration recommended continuing the work toward the 90% goal rather than modifying the goal itself, while noting that the timeline may need to be adjusted.

The Administration also highlighted positive trends across student groups. Every grade level and every subgroup has shown growth over the past two years, and several historically underperforming subgroups exceeded the District average in the most recent year.

The “On Track” measure is intended to provide an early indicator of graduation outcomes. By identifying students who are behind on credits in 9th, 10th and 11th grades, the District can intervene before students reach their senior year, when they have fewer opportunities to recover credits.

Administration said the focus moving forward will be to sustain the systems and coordinated supports that are contributing to growth, strengthen collaboration among departments supporting specific student groups, and continue working toward the 90% goal. The Class of 2027 will be the first graduating class to have received the District’s coordinated support beginning in ninth grade, providing an additional opportunity to evaluate the impact of this approach.

---

Public Comment

 

Consent Agenda

 

The Consent Agenda as drafted was approved by a vote of 7-0.

Action Items

 

Resolution 26-27-02 Calling on the State of Alaska to Advance Inclusive Diploma Options.docx 

 

Member McDonogh moved an amended S version of the Resolution, saying the amendments are based on feedback from outside counsel including the Governor's Council on Special Education and Disabilities to include language that supports a stronger policy ask. Member McDonogh said the intent of the original resolution remains, to call for inclusive graduation tracks, and the S version adds a much more clear picture of why this has been a challenge in the state.

 

A motion by Member Lessens to add the following language was unanimously approved: "and to re-transmit this resolution to the Governor-elect and newly elected members of the Legislature after the results of the November 3 election are finalized" at the end of the second to last paragraph. 

The motion to approve the S version of the memo was passed with a vote of 7-0.

---

ASD Memorandum 037 (2026-2027) - FY 2026-2027 Proposed Budget Revision ASD 

 

Member Lessens moved the S version of memo #037S, the revisions in this version were discussed in the Work Session earlier in the day and Member Lessens presented the details again during the Board meeting. 

 

A motion by Member McDonogh failed by a vote of 5-2  to strike language from the S version references a poll of Anchorage residents asking their preference of how to prioritize funding from HB 263 from the memo. Member McDonogh said the information was appreciated however should be considered developing logic and does not represent a stakeholder analysis of priorities. 

 

A motion passed by Member Lessens by a vote of 7-0 to amend the S version of the memo to add  language stating "Since the start of the academic year, the Board has received substantial quantities of public testimony detailing the significant and complex challenges which have arisen out of FY 27's budget-related staffing shortfalls." 

 

A motion passed by Member Rachel Blakslee by a vote of 4-3 to amend the S version of the memo to bring the School Support and Personnel funding amount back to $3,700,000 (as outlined in the original memo) but amend the language to the following:

 

This funding will support high dose tutoring for students who need additional reading support, additional credit recovery opportunities for high school students, contracted services with the Anchorage School Based Health Centers sufficient to sustain current operational levels throughout the second semester of the 2026-27 school year, and personnel to support schools and makes conforming changes (i.e. Paraprofessionals, Holdback Teachers, Substitutes, Counselors, and other position needs). 

 

Member Blakeslee shared her logic, saying the amendment signals to the public that the Board is listening to the current and immediate needs. She pointed out that due to the current limited staffing pool it is unlikely that all of these positions will be filled, so funds not used for staffing would be transferred to 2028 if not spent. 

 

The amendment passed by Blakeslee added additional changes to the S version, reducing teacher positions preserved for FY28 from 144 to 123.

 

Throughout the discussion, the Administration and Board emphasized that any additions to the current school year funded with one-time funds will inevitably widen the budget gap for the next school year. This budget gap, following the $90 million in cuts made last spring, will be extremely challenging. 

 

Memorandum #037S version, as amended, was approved by a vote of 5-2. 

 

Memo #037 with the approved changes is available to view. Key spending approved in the memo includes:

Restore $6.8 million to Unassigned Fund Balance	$6,800,000
Charter schools’ proportionate share	$2,102,000
Student Supports	$3,700,000
Student Activities	$400,000
Snow plow & security	$500,000
Transportation	$1,080,000

 

The memo as approved specifies:

• $17,608,371 remaining from HB 263’s waterfall funding shall be obligated to preserve approximately 123 teaching positions – including those required to maintain the Middle School Model--for FY 28.

• Other than for legal, contractual compliance, and/or budgetary corrections, no investments made for FY 27 with one-time funds after July 1, 2026 shall be included in the Preliminary 2027-28 (FY 28) Budget.

 

 

Board discussion on the memo #037 is available for playback. 

---

ASD Memorandum #040 (2026-2027) - Martin Luther King Jr. Technical High School 

Grade Change to Include Preschool 

 

King Tech High School houses a preschool program; however, due to its design, including a tuition requirement and a four-day week, the District has been unable to collect funding for participating students under the Alaska Reads Act.

 

In order to secure funding, one of the requirements is to have the grade level included on the State’s verified list of schools which requires Board authorization.

 

Currently the allowable grade levels for funding purposes are limited to grades 11 and 12. By adding preschool to the grades served, the District can collect funding for the students in accordance with the Reads Act provided that the District no longer has a tuition requirement.

 

The memo as presented was approved by a vote of 7-0.

 

Board discussion on  memo #040 is available for playback

---

ASD Memorandum #005 (2026-2027) - Award of Professional Service Agreement: 

Williwaw Elementary School Renovation 

 

The memo as presented was approved by a vote of 7-0.

---

ASD Memorandum #026 (2026-2027) - Amendment to Professional Services Agreement for Transportation Center Garage Renovation 

 

The memo as presented was approved by a vote of 7-0.

---

Non-Action Items

Superintendent Update

During his update, Superintendent Dr. Jharrett Bryantt provided details on changes to federal scholarship tax credits, shared insight on what he planned to discuss at the ASD Legislative Luncheon the following day, and updated the community on the ASD Listens results thus far.

Changes to Federal Scholarship Tax Credits

Dr. Bryantt shared that he is tracking new federal scholarship tax credit provisions taking effect in 2027. The program allows individuals to receive up to $1,700 in nonrefundable federal tax credits for qualified contributions to scholarship-granting organizations (SGOs), with the goal of supporting lower-income students through scholarships and educational enrichment services such as tutoring. Funds would flow through nonprofit SGOs rather than directly to school districts. The Administration is evaluating potential SGO partnerships and awaiting federal regulations expected by the end of September. Additional questions remain about eligibility, program structure, and potential funding levels.

Legislative Luncheon

The Superintendent shared that he and the Board would meet with legislators and candidates at the Sept. 16 Legislative Luncheon. His remarks would focus on protecting classrooms, highlighting the Board’s strategic use of one-time funds to address the District’s greatest needs and the importance of maintaining that momentum. He also planned to emphasize that ASD faces significant needs this school year, along with urgent financial needs anticipated in the next fiscal year.

ASD Listens

Finally, Dr. Bryantt shared that so far approximately 1,100 community members have completed the ASD Listens Community Values Survey. Through advisory committees, community forums, Make It Monday, and Rotary presentations, he is also hearing directly from families and community members about their priorities and concerns.

He shared an example of direct feedback from a parent of a third-grade student who had a positive experience with high-dose reading tutoring. The parent said she was skeptical of the online format but saw growth in her student’s benchmark scores. Other examples of direct community feedback he has heard firsthand included classroom needs, health care services, and the future of choice programs. The survey remains open through September 29.

When asked about the confidentiality of survey respondents, Dr. Bryantt emphasized that responses are confidential. Survey respondents have the option to provide their contact information at the end of the survey; however, that information is collected separately. Contact information is requested from those who are interested in participating in future community survey panels.

He closed by saying that once the Community Values Survey is complete, he intends to share what he heard and identify areas for focus over the next 12 months.

---

School Board Comments

---

This report is from the ASD Administration and summarizes what was presented to the Board during each meeting. We hope that you find these updates valuable. As always, we welcome your feedback and thoughts at TeamASD@asdk12.org.