Four Schools to Close Under Updated Plan
The Anchorage School District (ASD) announced a significant revision to its school closure proposal, initially intended to shutter seven elementary schools over three years. Superintendent Jharrett Bryantt revealed on Wednesday that the district now plans to close only four schools—Baxter, Lake Hood, Nunaka Valley, and Fire Lake Elementary—by May 2025, coinciding with the end of the current academic year. Schools removed from the closure list include Bear Valley, Tudor, and Wonder Park Elementary, following community feedback and logistical reassessments.
Anchorage School District leadership underscored the importance of community engagement in shaping the revised plan. “Significant amounts of school staff and community feedback informed the Administration’s decision,” Bryantt noted in a memo co-signed by Chief Operating Officer Jim Anderson and Chief Academic Officer Sven Gustafson. The closures are part of the district’s efforts to address financial strains and declining enrollment. The schools on the updated closure list will be repurposed to accommodate existing charter schools.
Community Feedback Shapes Decision
The initial November 1 proposal faced strong opposition from parents, students, and local stakeholders, who expressed concerns about its impact on the approximately 1,300 students set to be displaced. Anchorage School District highlighted that logistical challenges, repurposing opportunities, and community input played pivotal roles in sparing Bear Valley, Tudor, and Wonder Park Elementary from closure. Bear Valley’s classrooms are earmarked for expanded childcare services, while logistical hurdles surrounding Tudor Elementary’s student relocation rendered its closure impractical. Wonder Park, originally slated for closure due to enrollment and design issues, will now absorb Nunaka Valley’s pre-kindergarten classrooms to maximize capacity.
School Board President Andy Holleman acknowledged the district’s efforts to refine its plan based on feedback. “Closing schools hurts parents and kids, so our goal is to do as least damage as possible,” he said, emphasizing the importance of minimizing harm while optimizing resources.
Addressing Long-Term Challenges
Anchorage School District attributes the closures to a 13% decline in student enrollment since 2010, driven by out-migration, declining birth rates, and increased participation in homeschooling programs. This trend has already led to the closure of three schools in recent years, including Abbott Loop Elementary in 2023. The district’s financial challenges are further exacerbated by the state’s inability to fund small schools adequately.
Bryantt’s memo explained that consolidating resources is necessary to ensure equitable academic services across the district. “Though the District recognizes the advantages of small schools, the State does not support the resources needed to provide the same levels of service,” he wrote. Accelerating the closure timeline from three years to one was also aimed at maintaining morale among affected schools and ensuring a smooth transition for students.
Looking ahead, Holleman warned that without changes in local demographics or state funding, further closures might be inevitable. “We could be doing this every two years or so,” he said, underscoring the district’s challenge of balancing financial realities with student needs.
The revised proposal will be discussed during a work session on December 3, with a potential school board vote scheduled for December 17.
