The Anchorage Daily News asked candidates for the April 2 election to the Anchorage School Board to answer a series of questions on issues facing those bodies. We’re publishing select responses daily. The answers were fact-checked when facts were cited and edited for spelling, grammar and writing style. To see all the responses, click here. For Assembly candidate surveys, click here.
Q: Do you support consolidation of underutilized schools? Why or why not? If you do support consolidation, are there any schools you’d consider consolidating now?
SEAT A
Kai Binkley Sims
It is clear that ASD needs to be more efficient in managing facilities. With ASD enrollment numbers continuing to drop, there should be emerging opportunities to consolidate facilities to save money.
Margo Bellamy
I support utilizing our schools to reduce class size.
SEAT B
David Nees
Starr Marsett and the board’s choice to close Mt. Spurr, a high preforming school on base, was not embraced by the parents or teachers. They were punished for doing a good job with great results. Eagle River/Chugiak had two schools currently closed as a result of the earthquake and the receiving schools did not go over capacity. ASD closed Kennedy, Mt. Spurr, Mt Iliamna and ASD Data center in last 10 years, but has excess capacity in the remaining Anchorage schools. Eagle River Area is full.
Starr Marsett
As the district faces more and more budget cuts it will be necessary to look at all expenditures to include possible school consolidations.
Ronald Stafford did not respond to the survey.