Message from the Superintendent
As part of the Rightsizing ASD effort, a list of schools has been recommended for closure, consolidation, and repurposing, along with recommendations for boundary changes. These recommendations will be phased in over the next three years.
I understand that hearing about potential school closures can bring up many emotions, especially as schools play a vital role in our communities. However, the district has reached a point where tough decisions are necessary to ensure we continue providing a high-quality education that prepares students for college, career and life.
Our community is changing. We have seen a decline in enrollment that mirrors broader trends within the Anchorage population. Additionally, more families are opting for different learning modalities, with correspondence school enrollment doubling over the past decade.
While our student population decreases, the demand for student support services is increasing. Schools with low enrollment face challenges in providing the same level of service that larger schools can offer. Specialty teachers, such as those in art, music, PE, and special education, must often travel between multiple schools, limiting the time they can dedicate to individual students. In elementary schools, combined classes are becoming more common, and smaller middle and high schools have reduced course offerings and access to sports and extracurricular activities.
Meanwhile, our school buildings continue to age; the average age of an ASD facility is 37 years, with several needing critical upgrades and maintenance. In the past, state funding covered a significant portion of school facility costs, but since 2015, that support has diminished. The backlog of deferred maintenance has skyrocketed from under $170 million to over $1 billion, putting additional strain on our resources.
Since April, we have been thoroughly researching each of our school buildings and closely analyzing data. I assure you that this process has been taken very seriously, with community and staff input helping guide the decisions we are making to support our students and staff.
We encourage you to participate in one of the upcoming Community Conversations, where the district will discuss the recommendations and answer questions.
Together, we can navigate these changes and work toward a solution that best serves our students and the community.