6/02/2026 School Board Recap

 

Key takeaways:

• ASD shares details of Regional Nursing Model
  New model focuses on student needs and coverage
• Board Approves Resolution on Graduation Recognition for Deceased Students
  Resolution will direct development of regulations grounded in compassion, equity, and mental health best practices
• Board Directs Superintendent and President to Draft Funding Advocacy Letter
  Communication will encourage timely state revenue reporting tied to potential one-time education funding
• Superintendent Says Teacher Positions Remain Top Funding Priority
  Dr. Bryantt discussed potential funding under House Bill 263 and the importance of timely state action to support district planning

 

On Tuesday, June, 2026, the Anchorage School Board held a work session at 4 p.m., followed by a 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. 

Regional Nursing Model 

Presenting Administrators:

Healthcare Services Director Kathy Bell 

Deputy Superintendent Sven Gustafson

Superintendent Dr. Jharrett Bryantt introduced the discussion saying ASD wants to provide transparency and understanding of its new Nursing Model that will go into effect at the start of the 2026-27 school year. 

Regional Model Overview

Healthcare Services Director Kathy Bell explained that the new model will improve coverage when nurses are out sick. All schools will continue to have an assigned nurse; what is changing are the coverage protocols.

Under the new model, all 75 non-charter schools will have a dedicated staff position for an "anchor nurse," with schools organized into six geographic regions. ASD currently has positions available for 82.5 nurses, including 70.5 certificated Type C nurses and 8 Health Care Services (HCS) nurses. Each region will also have a designated lead nurse who helps coordinate coverage needs and monitor student acuity.

Student Acuity Drives Coverage Decisions

Schools will be classified as either high-acuity or low-acuity based on the medical needs of enrolled students. The greatest weight is given to routine physician-ordered nursing treatments, including diabetes management, feeding tubes, ostomy care, ventilators, tracheostomies, and catheter care.

District leaders noted that student needs can change throughout the year, so school acuity levels will be reviewed and adjusted as students enroll, transfer, or develop new medical needs.

Coverage During Nurse Absences

The primary change under the regional model is how nursing coverage is provided when a nurse is absent.

ASD will first seek a substitute nurse. If no substitute is available, nurses from low-acuity schools or Health Care Services staff may be reassigned to support high-acuity schools. If a low-acuity school is without a nurse, a trained Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP)—typically an administrative assistant or secretary trained in medication administration, CPR, and first aid—may provide coverage.

District leaders said the model is designed to ensure students with the most complex medical needs continue to receive nursing support regardless of where they attend school or whether their assigned nurse is absent.

Implementation and Next Steps

A nurse taskforce has been established to develop the Regional Model's standard operating procedures and provide guidance on how the model will function on a day-to-day basis. Nurses will receive training on the new procedures before the start of the school year.

Presentation from this discussion

The second topic of discussion was postponed for a future date due to time constraints: Goal Monitoring - Connecting Goals, Data, and Student Outcomes

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Board Meeting 

Resources from this meeting:

 

The Agenda as presented was approved by the Board. 

A motion by Member Paul McDonogh to remove ASD Memorandum #178 - BP 6151 Class Size from the agenda under section F. Non-Action failed by a vote of 2-4.

President Carl Jacobs and Clerk Margo Bellamy noted there will be an opportunity to amend the memorandum once it moves from Non-Action item to Action Item. 

 

Reports

Board Conference and Committee Reports

 

Board President Carl Jacobs shared his intent to create an ad hoc committee related to addressing the school consolidation process. 

Finance Chair Member Rachel Blakeslee shared a report of the May 28, 2026 Finance Committee meeting, noting that discussion about how any one-time funds would be used shifted after new information emerged regarding the details of the one-time funding bill. Blakeslee said the committee discussed the challenges ASD would face due to the bill’s timeline and contingencies, including that the funding would only be provided if the state exceeds a specific oil revenue target of $6.3 billion and the Commissioner of the Department of Revenue is expected to make that determination by August 31, once the school year has already begun.

Communications Chair Member Margo Bellamy shared there will be a Joint Assembly meeting Friday, June 5 at 10 a.m. The School Board Retreat will be held June 12 and 13, and the next Communication Committee meeting will take place in August.

Governance Chair Paul McDonogh shared a report of the May 28, 2026 Governance Committee meeting. The committee discussed changes to language in AR 5144 Discipline related to violation of the District’s policy on Drugs and Alcohol from a two strike to three strike process with restorative justice practices.

BP 6151, Class Size, which is driven by a HB 57 state statute requiring school districts to maintain a maximum class size policy, was also discussed. Member McDonogh expressed concern that the draft Board Policy attached to the agenda as a non-action item (Memorandum No. 178) was not aligned with the direction the Governance Committee had provided to tie class size targets to evidence-based recommendations from the Picus Odden study rather than relying solely on the state’s statutory maximum class sizes. He also stated that the draft policy did not include reporting the “delta” between current staffing levels and the staffing required to meet those standards, which he said the committee had requested in order to clearly communicate the cost of achieving adequate class sizes.

The Governance Committee discussed revisions to Board Policy 5041, Health Education, but did not reach consensus. The item was tabled and is expected to return after the summer with more comprehensive proposed revisions.

Finally, the committee received updates on Student Advisory Board (SAB) resolutions regarding high school credit opportunities for completed middle school world language coursework and a proposed seasonal athletic pass for parents.

 

Public Comment

 

Consent Agenda

The Consent Agenda, as presented, was passed by the Board.

 

Action Items

ASDR# 25-26-03-S –  RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE SUPERINTENDENT TO DEVELOP ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS FOR THE INCLUSION OF DECEASED STUDENTS IN HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION CEREMONIES

Presenting Administrators: 

Sr. Director High School Education Eric Backman 

Director Student Support Allison Susel

Administration provided background information on the best practices, research, and crisis response work that align with the intent of the resolution, which formally directs the development of an Administrative Regulation regarding the inclusion of deceased students in graduation ceremonies. Staff highlighted the complexity of grief and the importance of equitable, research-based, and sensitive memorial practices. Over the past three years, ASD has strengthened its crisis response system, developed standardized procedures, and researched best practices nationwide. The administrative regulation addressing memorial and commemorative practices for both students and staff is anticipated to be finalized this fall.

The Board voted 6-0 to approve the resolution.

Letter to SOA in Support of Timely Revenue Projection Reporting

The Board voted 6-0 to approve the action item as amended. The amendment motioned by Member Blakeslee directs the Superintendent and Board President to draft and transmit a letter to the Alaska Department of Revenue, the Alaska State Legislature's Legislative Finance Division, and members of the Alaska State Legislature supporting timely reporting of projected state revenue targets that could trigger additional one-time education funding for Alaska's public schools. The amendment also directs the District to inform the broader Anchorage School District community about the advocacy effort and its potential impact on school funding.

The request for the letter is driven by HB 263 which could provide approximately $37 million to ASD, however most of the funding remains contingent on state revenue targets and may not be confirmed until after the school year begins. 

Pertinent information in HB 263 related to ASD funding:

• Provides one-time education funding for Alaska school districts through the state operating budget
• Could provide approximately $37 million to ASD if all conditions are met
• Funding is contingent on the state exceeding a specified revenue target, rather than being automatically distributed
• Had not yet been transmitted to the governor at the time of the Board meeting
• The Commissioner of Revenue has until August 31 to determine whether the revenue target has been met

The purpose of the letter is to encourage state officials to provide revenue projections as early as possible and to increase public awareness of how delayed funding decisions affect district planning and educational services.

 

Non-Action Items

Member McDonogh pulled ASD Memorandum #178  to continue discussion on the draft Board Policy related to maximum class size and the concerns he had with the initial draft. Administrators acknowledged and apologized for missing the mark with the initial draft under the short deadline and also emphasized the importance of continuing the process in order to meet the deadline.

 

Superintendent Update

During his update, Dr. Bryantt recognized outgoing Deputy Superintendent Sven Gustafson for his decades of service to ASD. Dr. Bryantt highlighted several more recent academic improvements including rebounding graduation rates, increased math proficiency, and three straight years of growth on ASD literacy benchmarks. Dr. Bryantt noted the gains were made despite ongoing budget challenges and large structural deficits.

Looking ahead, Dr. Bryantt said the Administration will spend the summer reflecting and refocusing, with continued emphasis on improving reading and math outcomes and increasing college, career, and life readiness. He shared that ASD will soon introduce a new academic strategic plan and welcomed incoming Deputy Superintendent Dr. Madeline Aguillard, who will oversee academics and school leadership.

Dr. Bryantt also addressed public questions about potential state education funding. He explained that while House Bill 263 could provide up to $37 million in one-time funding for ASD, the funding remains contingent on gubernatorial action and state revenue projections that may not be finalized until after the school year begins. He emphasized that educator positions remain the District’s highest funding priority and encouraged community members to advocate for timely action from state leaders.

He concluded by reaffirming ASD’s commitment to keeping the community informed throughout the summer and expressed confidence in the educators and staff preparing to welcome students back in the fall.

 

School Board & Administration Comments/Communications

The meeting concluded with School Board and Administration comments and communications.

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.