Anchorage Assembly Passes Tight School Budget

0:00It's March 26th. This is Anchorage News Today, powered by AI. The Anchorage Assembly approved next year's school district budget by a narrow 7-5 vote after hours of debate. The $604.5 million plan includes closing three elementary schools, boosting class sizes by four students per grade. Eliminating the eigeni program for gifted kids, merging art and music classes, and trimming 10% of district staff. This year, this week, lawyers reminded members that the municipal charter mandates approval, but rejecting it would still activate the school boards. Latest version, anyway. Chair Christopher Constant caught it the tightest budget vote he'd ever seen, with five opponents pushing back hard. Community members packed the meeting with strong opposition, especially over the sudden closure of Campbell-Stem Magnet School. Parents and neighbors argued the district skipped proper procedures and gave two little notice, backing their case with a community council resolution, and over 1,000 petition signatures.

1:00Assembly folks discuss adding non-binding language to push for reopening Campbell-Stem, if state lawmakers send extra funds, though that's no sure. Thing. Officials noted they might hold off layoffs until late April when reversing cuts get tougher. District leaders say long-term fixes mean fewer schools or way more students to sustain operations, as enrollment keeps dropping amid fixed funding.