School Closures: Board Member Seeks 90-Day Notice

0:00Here's more Anchorage news for March 20th. A member of the Anchorage School Board and candidate for the City Assembly is calling for a new rule. He wants at least 90 days written notice to community councils and parents before any vote to close a school. This comes after recent closures that calm many families off guard. The school district has been closing schools to cut costs, and the board member has backed five such moves in the past decade. On February 13th, the superintendent proposed shutting down Fire Lake, Lake Otis, and Campbell Stem Elementary Schools. Parents got an email, but community councils heard nothing until after the announcement. Dozens of parents showed up shocked and angry at a meeting four days later, testifying against the closures while complaining about the short notice. At a follow-up meeting on February 24th, no new comments were allowed, and the board voted to close all three schools just 11 days after. The news broke. The board member voted no, citing the rush process. In Alaska Supreme Court ruling from years back, stressed that five days is not enough time

1:03to prepare opposition to complex school issues. An existing city rule requires 21 days notice for developments affecting schools. But the district says it does not cover closures. More school shutdowns are expected soon, so the board member argues 90 days gives councils, PTAs, and families time to respond since not everyone, meets monthly. He hopes to sponsor the ordinance of elected to represent Midtown District 4. This DNN story comes to you thanks to our sponsor, head in, sound on, lights out, that is the routine, S-O-L-I, solely pillow.com.