As we enter the new year, the Anchorage School District (ASD) is preparing to take action including the closure of elementary schools.
Initially, the SDA proposed closing seven elementary schools. However, after discussion among Anchorage School Board members and testimony from parents, the decision was approved to close only two schools, Lake Hood and Nunaka Valley Elementary schools, at the end of the school year in May 2025. Both schools are Title I, which means they receive additional funding from the federal government and have a high percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
The superintendent, Jharrett Bryantt, issued a statement on Dec. 18, about measures to support students affected by the closure of these schools. According to the school district, students will be relocated to schools near their neighborhoods. It is estimated that 113 students from Lake Hood Elementary will be transferred to Turnagain Elementary, while 62 students from Nunaka Valley Elementary will be transferred to Northwood Elementary.
The SDA’s Rightsizing plan focuses on addressing current issues such as declining enrollment rates and an increasingly tight budget. Student relocation also brings with it transportation-related challenges, especially for families where parents work or do not have access to a vehicle. On the one hand, this will force the ASD to adjust bus routes to accommodate more students, avoiding longer journeys that could increase risks during the winter.
On the other hand, some parents have already expressed concerns about traffic congestion in school zones, a problem that could be exacerbated by these modifications. These are just a few examples of how drastic changes will affect the community over time.
School closures were one of the inevitable decisions made by the ASD due to declining enrollments, budget cuts, and the need to support students impacted by the pandemic. The school district posted a page on its website where it compares estimates of projected revenue and expenditures to support its decision to use resources as efficiently as possible. According to the ASD, revenues are expected to decrease by $63.5 million (10.39%) while expenses will increase by $36 million (5.9%). Although closing the two schools will save between $300,000 and $800,000, relocating students to nearby schools seeks to maximize financial assistance and available resources.