Full Breakdown
Anchorage School District Faces $90 Million Budget Deficit with Major Cuts Proposed
2/4/2026, 8:58:41 AM
Proposed Budget Cuts and Impacts
The Anchorage School District (ASD) is confronting a projected $90 million budget deficit for the 2026-27 school year, prompting officials to propose significant cuts to staff and programs. Superintendent Jharrett Bryantt announced plans to eliminate over 500 staff positions, which includes more than 300 teaching roles, and increase class sizes by an average of four students per teacher. The proposed budget, totaling approximately $601 million, also includes the elimination of all middle school sports and many high school sports programs, such as hockey, tennis, gymnastics, and swimming.
Bryantt attributed the budget shortfall to years of stagnant state funding, despite a recent $700 increase in the Base Student Allocation (BSA) approved by the Alaska Legislature. He noted that the district has lost purchasing power of about $1,800 per student over the past decade, and even with the BSA increase, ASD remains approximately $1,400 behind its funding levels from 2011.
Community and Legislative Responses
The proposed budget comes amid discussions about a potential $11.8 million one-time education tax levy that will be presented to Anchorage voters in April. Bryantt expressed hope that if the levy passes, it could fund over 80 teaching positions, effectively reducing the projected increase in class sizes from four to two students per teacher. He emphasized the importance of community support in mitigating the impact of the cuts.
However, Bryantt acknowledged the challenges in convincing the public of the necessity for these cuts, stating, “We’ve been going through years of this budget whiplash,” and highlighted the difficulty in restoring programs once they are eliminated. Anchorage School Board member Andy Holleman described the proposed cuts as the most extreme he has witnessed, indicating a significant impact on students across the district.
Criticism and Concerns
Critics of the proposed budget cuts have raised concerns about the long-term implications for student education and well-being. The elimination of programs, particularly those serving special needs students and gifted programs like IGNITE, has drawn significant criticism. Bryantt himself noted the difficulty in maintaining educational quality under the proposed budget constraints, stating, “It’s going to be very difficult to restore large programs or to reverse a lot of the proposed cuts.”
Next Steps
The Anchorage School Board is scheduled to discuss the budget proposal in a work session, followed by a vote later this month. Public testimony will be accepted during the regular meeting, allowing community members to voice their opinions on the proposed cuts and the potential tax levy.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We’re laying off dozens of employees in departments across the district,” — Jharrett Bryantt, Superintendent
- “This is definitely the most extreme set of cuts and provisions that I’ve ever seen,” — Andy Holleman, Anchorage School Board Member
- “I would say that it’s going to be very difficult to restore large programs or to reverse a lot of the proposed cuts,” — Jharrett Bryantt, Superintendent
- “I think that if you’re a parent and you’re faced with the classroom that could be 32 or 25 [students], the levy could make a huge difference in your child’s life, in their education this next school year,” — Jharrett Bryantt, Superintendent
