Anchorage School District - Educating All Students for Success in Life |
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Fiscal Year 2024 budget planning- October update |
On Tuesday, October 4th, The District updated the School Board during its FY24 budget solutions work session with new information about contributing factors to the deficit. Shannon Bingham, with Western Demographics, Inc., explained to the board members how school districts across the country are conducting school efficiency studies and repurposing under-utilized schools as enrollment continues to decline. District Administration are working with Western Demographics, Inc. to research school closures and consolidations. The main contributing factors include overall population decline, waning housing market, lower national family sizes and generation rates, and lower birth rates.
ASD has seen an average of 2% decline in enrollment each year over the last several years. If there are not citywide changes that draw families to the Anchorage bowl, the District anticipates this decline to continue. As ASD researches school closures for FY24 budget considerations, it must also consider long term efficiencies that match the steady decline in enrollment.
The benefit to the student experience
School buildings are the heartbeat of the community and hold deep, personal connections for many community members. The decision to close schools will be difficult, and as ASD plans for efficiencies, it also anticipates new opportunities this will bring to students.
When a school site reaches near full capacity, a higher enrollment rate means an increase in the efficient use of special services. Research shows when you can increase the size of schools you are going to increase the service to students. For example, an average of 35% of building staff have a role outside of the general education classroom teacher. These staff offer occupational therapy, speech, instructional coaching, counseling services, P.E., art, music, etc. In schools with lower enrollment the District is less able to provide all those specialized services. Increasing enrollment allows for an increase in specialized services and overall student support and educational experience.
To learn more, click here to watch the work session.
Background
Since 2017, ASD has received an increase of 0.5% from the State of Alaska (SOA) through the BSA formula. For more than seven years, inflation has reduced purchasing power to a level of approximately $80 million less than what the District could afford in 2017 in real dollars. This, coupled with a declining student enrollment in our city, continues to negatively impact ASD’s ability to maintain smaller class sizes to better address student learning.
By city charter the board must pass a budget by February 2023 to transmit to the Municipality of Anchorage on the first Monday in March. By state statue, ASD must pass a balanced budget.
Factors taken into consideration will include enrollment size, transportation/commuter efficiencies, the age of the building, how much funding has recently been invested in the building, and most importantly, if the consolidation of the buildings result in the same level of service or better for students. The overall move should result in an improvement to the educational experience.
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Join the Discussion; Dates to Note |
The Administration plans to identify the list of schools that would most benefit from closing during a special two-hour work session on Tuesday, October 18th
Tuesday, Oct. 18
3 to 5 p.m. Special work session
6 p.m. Regular school board meeting
Community members may watch online or attend in person at the Education Center, located at 5530 Northern Lights Blvd, Anchorage AK 99504
Oct. 26 through Nov. 3
In-person townhalls will be scheduled for the school communities who have been identified as potentially recommended for closure. More to come.
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Anchorage School Board votes to spend one-time state funds |
During the 2022 Legislative session, the State approved one-time funding increases for one-time operating funds and reimbursement of previous school bond debt.
On Tuesday, Oct. 4, the Anchorage School Board voted on how to allocate one-time funds from the State. The school board approved the following:
- $16,102,500 in one-time operational funding to the General Fund in order to lower the district’s projected budget gap for FY 24 to approximately $68 million
- $9.5 million in major maintenance to Capital Projects. Proposed projects shall be presented to the full Board for prior approval.
- $7,359,072 in secure vestibule and security improvements.
- $38,445,000 in urgent capital improvement projects targeting failing boilers, leaking roofs, seismic upgrades, security cameras, core safety projects and future design needs.
- $3,000,000 to the ASD Major Maintenance line item, intended to address the existing backlog of over 2,600 minor maintenance project needs.
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ASD Transportation update: more routes added, more ways to communicate with ASD |
On Monday, October 3rd, ASD switched to cohort three. Drivers should expect heavier traffic around Begich, Wendler, Goldenview, Romig, and Hanshew middle schools, along with Bartlett, Service, East, West, and South high schools. If possible, community members at large should avoid these areas during drop-off and pick-up times (7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.). See the map below with all locations.
Thank you to our community members who have heard the call and applied to drive a bus with ASD. Our drivers are excited and eager to begin their new routes. Because of our strong pool of new hires, the Transportation Department is adding more and more drivers and more routes each week. As of today, we have increased to 181 active routes. We are almost halfway there! To read more about our hiring and training stats on our FAQ page.
New this month, ASD has added a suggestion box to the Transportation Hot Topics page. This is a space to provide feedback on your experience with the cohort and suggested changes. Several suggestions have already been implemented thanks to this new form of communication.
The District will continue the hiring process, and will continue to look for intermediate and long term efficiencies.
Thank you to our community members who have volunteered to support their community schools as crossing guards and bus assistants. Your contributions are meaningful and make a BIG impact on students and staff.
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Meet one of our volunteers! |
Aaron Passcar, an ASD crossing guard volunteer of 15 years, was featured on Alaska's News Source Morning Edition in a segment called "The Early Crew." (video screenshot courtesy of Mike Nederbrock /Alaska's News Source)
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Shine Bright: King Tech Farm and Food class plants orchard |
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The King Tech High School Farm and Food class is planting an orchard and building an eight foot tall moose fence on the school’s campus. The project is a collaboration of three different farm and food classes, two carpentry classes, and donors in the community.
The farm and food class, taught by KTHS Teacher Kelly Ballantyne, is focused on helping students understand the food system and how they can build and improve this system.
“This has been a great opportunity for students to be involved in a hands on project,” said Ballantyne.
The program was awarded a $10,000 grant by the Division of Forestry in support of the food forest. The Spring 2022 class created the design and helped with applying for the grant. Materials, such as the wood chips spread on top of weed cloth to prevent weeds from sprouting, were donated by multiple local organizations.
Thank you to our Anchorage community for your support and thank you KTHS and Mr. Ballantyne for encouraging students to learn about and participate in the agriculture business. Your efforts will benefit generations to come.
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Shine Bright: Meteorologist teaches students the science of weather |
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Alaska's News Source's Mobile Weather Lab visits schools to teach students meteorology from local weather reporters. Recent visits have included Rilke Shule, Alaska Native Cultural Charter School, and Northern Lights ABC. |
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ASD celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month |
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Pictured above, students in Grecia Barajas Duran's Spanish Classroom in Dimond High School observe Hispanic Heritage Month. Grecia is a Dimond alumnus, a new teacher at Dimond this year for upper division Spanish courses, and demonstrates the best practices of teaching and learning in her classroom. |
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ASD Celebrates Indigenous Peoples' Day, Oct. 10 |
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Indigenous Peoples' Day 2022
In June of 2017, Governor Walker signed a law that replaced the observance of Columbus Day with the official observance, Indigenous People’s Day. The signing of this law made Alaska the second state in the U.S. to acknowledge and celebrate the Indigenous People of this Country in this way. Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a holiday that recognizes American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. It celebrates their rich culture and traditions, acknowledges their history, and recognizes their right to self-government.
Indigenous Peoples' Day Celebration
Monday, October 10th is Indigenous Peoples' Day. Title VI Indigenous Education has partnered with Alaska Native Cultural Charter School to bring you an Indigenous People's Day Celebration. Please join us Saturday, October 8th at Bettye Davis East Anchorage H.S. from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm. We will make akutaq, beaded suncatchers, tie dye orange shirts, and more! There will be a potluck-style lunch, bring a dish to share! (Pizza will be provided too.) For more information, please contact Title VI, Cultural Enrichment Specialist, Cheryl Sherman by email at sherman_cheryl@asdk12.org or by phone at 742-7867.
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October is Bully prevention month |
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October in National Bullying Prevention Month.
Bullying can threaten students’ physical and emotional safety at school and can negatively impact their ability to learn. The best way to address bullying is to stop it before it starts.
ASD is dedicated to providing a safe and civil learning environment. Harassment, intimidation and bullying disrupt a student's ability to learn and a school's ability to educate. Students and staff are expected to demonstrate positive character traits and values. Conduct and speech must be civil and respectful in order to promote harmonious and courteous relations in the school environment.
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Join our library committee |
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The Anchorage School District is looking for support from members of the community who would like to be on the ASD District Controversial Review Committee.
The deadline to apply is Monday, October 31.
The committee includes District employees, ASD students, and community members. Senior Director of Teaching & Learning Dr. Dianna Beltran and Library Services Supervisor Lisa Sam co-facilitate the committee.
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BeSmart offers gun safety information for families |
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The school board voted to have the District partner with the BeSmart to offer families resources to help keep children safe by storing guns locked, unloaded and separately from ammunition, and ensuring that kids never have access to unsecured guns. |
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Red Ribbon Week 2022: Celebrate life, live drug free |
Red Ribbon Week takes place each year from Oct. 23 through Oct. 31 and is a time to Celebrate Life. Live Drug Free.TM.
Red Ribbon week is a reminder that everyday Americans across the country make significant daily contributions to their communities by being the best they can be because they live Drug-Free.
Throughout the week ASD will offer lessons and activities alongside community partners to encourage students to nurture the full potential of a healthy, drug-free life.
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ASD flu vaccine clinics open to community during parent-teacher conferences |
Since you are already planning to attend parent-teacher conferences later this month the ASD Wellness Services Department would like to help you check your flu vaccine off your fall to-do list. Events will take place across the District during the parent-teacher conferences on Wednesday, Oct. 26 and Thursday, Oct. 27 from 1 to 7 p.m. |
School business partnership spotlight: Goldenview Middle School and SteamDot |
Suns Café is now open to students, parents, and teachers at Goldenview Middle School (GVMS). Each morning at 7:15 a.m., about 10 students from GVMS School Business Partnership class arrive to work in the Suns Cafe. Students have been trained as baristas through a partnership with SteamDot and supported throughout the class by building skills in the café. Students enjoy serving drinks; the most popular drinks are Italian sodas, smoothies, chai latte's, hot chocolate, lattes and mochas. Students are learning valuable math, social, and business skills that include using the cash register, budgeting, managing supplies, orders, food handling, etc. Currently, the class is learning about advertising and marketing. Students have created a fall themed drink and have developed a slide show for marketing.
Thank you, SteamDot, for your support of Goldenview Middle School!
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Parent-Teacher conference schedule to open Oct. 10 |
Parent conferences are a valuable tool in the education of any child. During conferences, the teacher and parent or guardian have the opportunity to talk about important information that will help the student throughout their education. Active participation of parents is essential! Communication between home and school is one of the best ways to ensure that a child’s school experience is successful. For more information on Student Led Conferences, please contact your school. |
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Ways to support ASD students through grants and donations |
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The Development and Grants office at ASD supports our students, staff, and communities in their pursuit of educational excellence and success in life by providing both staff and community members with opportunities to support our students through grants and donations.
There are many opportunities to get involved with our district and we are so happy you are here to help! You can check out our “How Can I Help?” page for specific opportunities to support our schools. ASD Employees, Parents, Community Members, and Partners interested in learning more about grant writing can complete our Training Interest Survey to let us know you are interested and someone from our office will reach out to you directly to schedule a training! We look forward to meeting you soon!
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Photo of the Month: Chinook Crossing Guards |
As the mornings grow darker, Chinook Elementary School crossing guards are up to the task of getting students to school safely and with a smile. Thank you to the Chinook team for shining bright! #ASDShineBright |
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Margo Bellamy, President
Carl Jacobs, Vice President
Kelly Lessens, Treasurer
Dora Wilson, Clerk
Dave Donley
Pat Higgins
Andy Holleman
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Fri. Oct. 21
State released professional development day. End of first quarter
Wed. Oct. 26 and Thurs. Oct. 27
Parent/teacher conferences
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5530 E Northern Lights Blvd.
Anchorage, AK 99504
907-742-4000
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