Anchorage School Board agrees to close 2 of 4 elementary schools proposed for repurposing

The Anchorage School Board on Tuesday night voted to close two elementary schools in May – Nunaka Valley and Lake Hood – and moved to save two other schools proposed for the district’s closure, consolidation and repurposing plan.

Baxter Elementary in Anchorage and Fire Lake Elementary in Eagle River were saved from closure this year by members who introduced late resolutions.

In early November, the school district proposed closing seven underutilized elementary schools after a decade of enrollment decline and thinly spread district resources. But after community input, it removed three schools from the list — Bear Valley, Tudor and Wonder Park — and shortened the timeline from three years to one.

On Tuesday, the list was again shrunk from four to two: Assembly member Dave Donley proposed removing Fire Lake Elementary from consideration because of the more than 130 new homes under construction near the school that present “potential growth” to its enrollment. Member Pat Higgins proposed removing Baxter Elementary because of its special programs, Title 1 status and the size of the school, which could make it easier to bring additional students in rather than moving them out.

Students, parents and staff from Fire Lake and Baxter reacted with shock and emotion. Fire Lake teachers in red T-shirts high-fived and hugged, many with tears in their eyes.

After the vote, Fire Lake parent Katie Townley almost immediately stood up her three celebrating children to usher them out the door. It was 10:30 p.m. – past bedtime – and they’d done what they needed to do.

“I’m so excited,” William Townley, a fifth-grader and student council president, said with a grin on his face. He had testified to school board members about the reasons they shouldn’t close his school, including spirit day, movie night, pumpkin carving, running club and battle of the books.

Board members passed an amendment committing to revisit Tuesday’s decision should the Legislature adjust the base student allocation (BSA) before the board balances its budget early next year. State funding to public schools has been flatlined since 2017.

“I support this as a way of being able to send a message to legislators that this is a critical thing. It matters to your constituents,” said board president Andy Holleman. “But really, unless we have a BSA increase ... we feel like our hands are tied.”

If inadequate state funding and the district’s downward trend in student enrollment continue, school board members acknowledged, they will need to close and consolidate more schools.

Board members passed a resolution that directs the superintendent to recommend before next October “at least one additional school for consolidation, repurposing and/or closure for the 2026-27 school year.”

“It’s a relief,” said Leslie Edin, Baxter Elementary PTA president who spent her 25-year career teaching at the school. “But now we’re still in the dilemma. We never want to be in this boat again. So, what do we need to do?”

Superintendent Jharrett Bryantt said his priority will be on supporting communities at Nunaka Valley and Lake Hood schools in their transition to other schools beginning next year.

“Within our community, given the decision of this evening, there’s a mixture of emotions ranging from relief to emotional devastation,” Bryantt said. “We’re here for you as team ASD ... and we need to focus on an intentional and compassionate transition for those communities affected.”