Education

A small group of legislators and a member of the governor’s office are meeting behind closed doors to try to resolve the education debate.

The school district briefed principals on Monday and published information for families on its policy if immigration police officers enter a school.

The Period Project aims to make period products more accessible to increasingly younger menstruating girls by bringing them to where they are needed most: school bathrooms.

The budget proposal also calls for cutting librarian and school nurse positions, as well as a program serving gifted students.

The governor’s proposal would not increase the state’s school funding formula.

Bargaining parties reached a tentative deal with support from federal mediation, after talks stalled in a deadlock in December.

University of Alaska President Pat Pitney appointed Parnell in 2021, and praised his leadership and service as chancellor of UAA, the largest of the three universities within the University of Alaska system.

The plan would divide Mat-Su Central into two programs: one with an in-person class requirement, and one with reduced high school graduation credit standards.

Data shows a $500 million annual increase in school funding is needed to make up for 15 years of inflation. Supporters are skeptical a big funding boost will be approved this year.

Districts face budget shortfalls with the failure of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act funding, aimed at schools located near federal lands.

The program will focus first on Ukrainian refugees resettled in the area before expanding to all Mat-Su residents.

Bargaining parties say they’re hopeful, though the outcome will depend on funding in the next state budget.

The long-running and escalating dispute had seen $17.5 million in pandemic-era funds withheld for Alaska.

The change comes after Alaska Education Commissioner Deena Bishop told school districts to reconsider the practice.

Nunaka Valley and Lake Hood will be closed after this school year, while Baxter and Fire Lake were saved for at least another year.

School Board members will cast votes tomorrow night on whether to close and repurpose four elementary schools.

The district hopes to use excess space in elementary schools for a program that would attract new employees and address a community-wide child care crisis, officials say.

Alaska’s second-largest district cited a state position that “e-learning” will no longer count as instruction. Anchorage officials say a decision is planned soon.

Marti Guzman is a family service coordinator. She helps families overcome challenges so their kids can stay in school and thrive.

Commissioner Deena Bishop said districts should instead add in-person instructional hours to make up for snow days.

The Anchorage School District says declining student enrollment and a massive budget gap have forced its hand in closing some schools. But parents and staff say proposed closures will disproportionately unsettle 88 “structured learning” students.

The district’s larger “rightsizing” plan came out earlier this month and immediately drew intense criticism from parents and community members.

Since age 6, Romig Middle School student Emily Brubaker has been advocating for legislation that would amend federal law and require health insurance companies to pay for congenital anomaly treatments.