The Mat-Su School District in Alaska is set to reexamine its proposal to cut approximately half of its school nurses while advancing plans to close three school buildings. This decision is part of a broader budget strategy aimed at addressing a projected funding shortfall of about $22.5 million for the upcoming year. The school board will vote on these proposals on March 16, 2026.
During a recent budget working session, school board members expressed a desire to avoid cuts or closures, yet acknowledged the necessity of reducing expenditures. School board member Kathy McCollum articulated the emotional weight of potential school closures, stating, “There’s no cut you can make that is great, or anybody will be happy of.” The sentiment resonates within the community, as parents and students hold deep attachments to their local schools.
The financial challenges facing the district stem from stagnant state education funding that has not kept pace with inflation, declining student enrollment, and insufficient contributions from the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. As a result, the school board is preparing to vote on significant cuts that include the closure of Glacier View School and Larson and Meadow Lakes elementary schools, increasing activity fees, and reallocating nursing staff to cover multiple schools.
Public testimony earlier this week highlighted community concerns regarding the proposed cuts. Parents, teachers, and students filled the school board chambers, advocating for the retention of school nursing staff. “I do believe that we need to have medically trained personnel on campus as much as we possibly can,” said school board member Andrew, emphasizing the critical role that nurses play in maintaining student health.
The proposed school closures are expected to save the district approximately $3.83 million. However, this plan has drawn objections from staff and community members. At Glacier View School, where only about a dozen students are anticipated to enroll next year, closing the facility raises concerns about access to education. “Those kids who attend there and live there don’t have another school to go to,” said Amber Allen, an administrative secretary at the school.
Meadow Lakes Elementary, which hosts the Reaching Independence through Supported Education (RISE) program, also faces closure. Parents argue that this move would disrupt the stability that special-needs students require. Carrie Johnson, a parent of a child enrolled in RISE, stated, “Children in special education rely deeply on consistency. For a child at RISE, being forced to move to another school can undo months, even years, of hard-earned growth.”
District officials have indicated that special programs and students enrolled at these schools would be relocated if closures are approved. The school board’s discussions reflect a broader acknowledgment of the need to streamline operations while prioritizing educational quality. If the proposed cuts are implemented, they may include the elimination of more than 40 staff positions, with a focus on reducing administrative roles and instructional coaching.
In addition to staffing reductions, the district plans to curtail funding for sports and extracurricular activities. Instead of specific cuts to individual sports, schools will be given discretion over how to allocate reduced funding for transportation and coaching. This could lead to increased reliance on families to transport students to events and limit the availability of after-school programs.
As the board prepares for the vote on March 18, the final impact of these proposed cuts will largely depend on funding decisions from state and borough lawmakers, which are not expected to be finalized until later in the year. The outcome of this budget deliberation will be crucial for the future of the Mat-Su School District, its students, and the community at large.
