2023-09 School District, Federal & State News

Anchorage – ASD, Assembly discuss projected 2025 budget deficit at joint meeting – Steve Kirch, Alaska’s News Source

Anchorage – ASD hopes new behavior program pilot will reduce discipline issues – Alaska’s News Source

Aleutian Region – Atka school evacuates following bomb threat – Theo Greenly, KUCB

Delta Greely – Bogus threat made to Alaska schools – Delta Wind Staff

Dillingham – Dillingham and Southwest Region school districts reopen after bomb threat – Christina McDermott, KDLG

Fairbanks – School district working to combat student housing insecurity – Carter DeJong, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Fairbanks – School board ratifies educational support staff contract – Carter DeJong, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Fairbanks – School board votes unanimously in favor of new teacher contract – Carter DeJong, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Fairbanks – Teachers vote in favor of new contract – Carter DeJong, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Kenai – Assembly asks legislature to consider school board term limits – Ashlyn O’Hara, Peninsula Clarion

Kenai – Borough to hold community meetings to gauge local funding priorities, reviving a practice last conducted in 2018 – Ashlyn O’Hara, Peninsula Clarion

Kenai – School district warns of looming $13 million deficit in first ‘Budget 101’ presentation. The first installment explored Alaska’s foundation formula – Ashlyn O’Hara, Peninsula Clarion

Kenai – School board candidates tackle budget deficits, home-schooling, school maintenance – Ashlyn O’Hara, Peninsula Clarion

Ketchikan – School District highlights career technical education programs – Sam Stockbridge, Ketchikan Daily News

Ketchikan – School Board OKs re-hire policy for retired teachers – Sam Stockbridge, Ketchikan Daily News

Ketchikan – KTN School Board to consider rehiring retired teachers to fill gaps – Sam Stockbridge, Ketchikan Daily News

Klawock – Generations Southeast Expands to Include Prince of Wales Island Campus – Alaska Native News

Kodiak – After viral ad offering expense-free living, Alaska community will have school for the first time since 2018 – Brian Venua, KMXT

Lower Kuskokwim – LKSD, YSD, and Kuspuk School District among schools across Alaska to receive email bomb threat – Sunni Bean, KYUK

Lower Kuskokwim – State and local officials hurry to get Napakiak a temporary watering point – Sunni Bean, KYUK

Mat-Su – Mat-Su Borough School Board implements lottery system for public testimony – Georgina Fernandez and Lex Yelverton, Alaska’s News Source

Mat-Su – Students continue to address BP 9110 during joint MSB/school board meeting – Katie Stavick, Frontiersman

Mat-Su – Mat-Su library committee recommends removing 4 books from schools – Tim Rockey, Alaska Public Media

Mat-Su – New Mat-Su citizens library committee to review dozens of challenged books – Tim Rockey, Alaska Public Media

Nome – Western Alaska welcomes teachers from near and far – Anna Lionas, Nome Nugget

Northwest Arctic Borough – Kivalina school opens three weeks late – Alena Naiden, Arctic Sounder

Petersburg – Student makes threats against Petersburg School District – Hannah Flor, KFSK

Petersburg – Petersburg School District to cut back on sugar and salt; possibly add traditional foods to school meal – Shelby Herbert, KFSK

Sitka – Cut short by pandemic, school planners resume their search for strategies to improve education in Sitka – Robert Woolsey, KCAW

Sitka – Sitka schools superintendent on road to recovery after sustaining serious injuries in a fall – KCAW News

Unalaska – Unalaska, Aleutians East schools unaffected by statewide bomb threats – Andy Lusk & Theo Greenly, KUCB

Valdez – Frustrations with Valdez School District continue after high school principal resignation – Joe Cadotte, Alaska’s News Source

State Dept of Education releases playbook on teacher retention – Carter DeJong, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

I moved to a tiny Alaskan village to become a teacher. My classroom was 5 students, I was able to save $1,000 a month, and I experienced things I’ve only dreamed of – Taryn Williams, Business Insider

Here are the 3 schools in Alaska named National Blue Ribbon Schools – Tegan Hanlon, Anchorage Daily News

Alaska’s K–3 readers undergo statewide testing. ‘Alaska Reads Act’ to decide targeted reading plans – Sunni Bean, KYUK

Children hit hardest by the pandemic are now the big kids at school. Many still need reading help – Heather Hollingsworth, Associated Press

Peruvian man arrested in connection with bomb threats made to Alaska schools – Wesley Early, Alaska Public Media

At least 12 Alaska school districts get fake bomb threats – Tim Ellis, KUAC

Schools across Alaska receive emailed bomb threats – Tim Rockey, Alaska Public Media

It’s Back to School for Cyber Gangs, Too – Mark Keierleber, The 74

State task force begins drafting recommendations to address Alaska’s child care crisis – Wesley Early, Alaska Public Media

More schools are adopting 4-day weeks. For parents, the challenge is Day 5 – Heather Hollingsworth, Associated Press

U.S. Department of Education Awards Nearly $199 Million to Improve Career Opportunities for Students with Disabilities Through Partnerships – U.S. Department of Education

State Board of Education bars trans girls from girls high school sports teams. Schools or school districts must create separate athletic categories for cisgender girls and other student athletes – Ashlyn O’Hara, Homer News

Alaska’s newest education commissioner discusses trans athletes, increasing child literacy and reducing turnover – Wesley Early, Alaska Public Media

Gov. Dunleavy appoints new regent to University of Alaska board – Claire Stremple, Alaska Beacon

Alaska Gov. Dunleavy switches budget directors – KINY, Juneau

Alaska Science Olympiad seeks teams for 2024 – Delta Discovery

Alaska leaders protest federal guidance on funding for weapons in schools, saying it affects hunting and archery programs – Riley Rogerson, ADN

Murkowski defends funding for school archery and hunter safety education – KINY, Juneau