District overview
Aleutians East Borough School District
How Alaska's smallest borough school district funds and governs four remote K-12 schools across six communities.
How is the district funded, and why is a bigger budget still a warning sign?
Like most Alaska districts, AEBSD's money comes mainly from the state's per-pupil funding formula, which pays more per student for small, remote schools. On top of that, the Aleutians East Borough Assembly can add a local contribution, capped by state law, and the district draws on federal Impact Aid and grants because so much of its land is federal or tribal and generates no local property tax. For 2026-27 the board adopted a bigger budget than last year, but the superintendent's own report says the increase doesn't close a structural gap between ongoing revenue and costs; the district is covering that gap with savings, not new money.
State per-pupil funding is the base
Most operating revenue comes from Alaska's Foundation Program formula, which pays more per student for small, remote schools like AEBSD's four sites.
The Borough adds a capped local contribution
The Aleutians East Borough Assembly can add local funds on top of the state formula, up to a state-set cap; for 2026-27 the superintendent asked for the maximum allowed increase, +$300,000.
Federal Impact Aid and grants fill gaps
The district also relies on federal Impact Aid and grants (Indian Education, the Pre-Elementary Grant, Rural Health Revitalization) to support programs beyond state and local funding.
Savings are bridging a gap, not closing it
The adopted 2026-27 budget draws $500,000-$800,000 from the district's fund balance. The superintendent's report calls this a short-term bridge, not a fix, after roughly 35% staffing reductions over the prior two years.
The district avoided further staffing cuts for 2026-27 and grew its budget by about $400,000 year over year - the deficit hasn't forced new cuts yet, even though a further $300,000 staffing-reduction option remains on the table for the future.
Where the district stands
$10,704,883 adopted budget divided by 205 students (2023-24 NCES enrollment). A district this small and remote spreads large fixed costs - travel, heat, staff housing - over very few students, so this figure runs far above a typical district's per-pupil spending.
Major projects
New Sand Point pool
Under construction (Borough-funded)The Aleutians East Borough Assembly approved design and construction of a new pool in Sand Point. The Borough is paying for and overseeing construction; the district will manage and maintain it once built.
- Superintendent reports Borough Assembly approval of design and construction
- Expected completion (fall 2026, approximate)
Funding
Aleutians East Borough capital funds
Sand Point School major maintenance
Nearing completion, delayedRoof and pool-wing repairs, locker room and restroom renovation for ADA compliance, and related major-maintenance work at Sand Point School.
- Substantial completion inspection date pushed from March 19 to May 4 due to weather and material delays
- Punch-list items pushed from April 7 to May 23
Funding
Not specified in the collected record
False Pass School replacement (proposed)
Requested in 6-year capital plan, not yet fundedA full design-and-construction replacement of False Pass School, the district's smallest site (about 6 students), listed as a priority project in the district's newly filed capital plan.
- Listed in the FY2028-2033 Six-Year Capital Improvement Plan at an estimated $6,000,000
Funding
Requested State of Alaska school construction aid (not yet approved)
This page is built from board meeting agendas and packets the district posts to its Thrillshare document library (aebsd.org), covering August 2025 through May 2026, plus the Aleutians East Borough Clerk's public election notice and certified election results, and district address/enrollment data from the NCES Common Core of Data.
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