The Anchorage School Board passed a contentious budget on Tuesday that includes closing schools and significant staff layoffs as the district grapples with a major financial shortfall, district officials said.
Faced with declining enrollment and a projected budget gap, the board approved a budget package that will shutter several schools and eliminate a large number of positions across the Anchorage School District. The cuts will affect teachers, administrators, and support staff, with hundreds of job losses expected ahead of the 2026–27 academic year.
Board members acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but said drastic measures were necessary to address the budget crisis. The closures aim to reduce operational costs and better align facilities with the district’s declining student population, officials said.
Superintendent Dr. Deena Bishop said the district will work with community partners and unions to support impacted employees and help students and families adjust to changes in school assignments.
Parents, educators, and community advocates voiced strong concerns at public hearings, arguing that the cuts could undermine student learning and overload remaining staff. Many attendees urged the board to explore alternative revenue options or more gradual reductions, but board members said previous proposals failed to close the budget gap.
The approved budget includes closures of multiple campuses and the consolidation of programs. District officials say more detailed plans on which schools will close and timelines for staff reductions will be released in the coming weeks.
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As the district moves forward with implementation, officials emphasized that student safety and educational continuity remain priorities amid difficult financial decisions. The budget must now be administered ahead of the next school year, with ongoing communication between the district and affected families.
