Board passes resolution against school closures for 2026-27

What happened

The Anchorage School Board voted 5-2 on August 18, 2026 to adopt Resolution #26-27-01, declaring its intent that no school will be permanently closed during the 2026-27 school year for the primary purpose of cutting costs, unless extraordinary circumstances (e.g., natural disaster) arise. An amendment tying the resolution's validity to municipal budget outcomes failed.

Why it matters to families

After closing three elementary schools earlier in 2026 to address a $90 million deficit, this resolution signals a pause on further closures this year, giving families and staff at remaining schools some near-term stability, though it does not resolve the district's underlying structural budget deficit projected at $45 million or more in FY28.

The evidence

Resolution #26-27-01 passed 5-2 (Yea: Jacobs, Wilson, Bellamy, Blakeslee, McDonogh; Nay: Lessens, Higgins), declaring the Board's intent that 'no school shall be permanently closed during the 2026-2027 school year for the primary purpose of reducing expenditures.'

The source