In this Alaska House race in East Anchorage, education funding issues hit close to homeThe race between Democrat Donna Mears and Republican Forrest Wolfe is one of several close races that could impact the future of education funding in the state.

In East Anchorage, families and neighbors reckon with the potential closure of a beloved elementary schoolNunaka Valley Elementary is among six schools that the Anchorage School District has recommended for closure amid a $68 million budget deficit.

Many speak out against potential school closures at Nunaka Valley ElementaryMonday’s town hall meeting at Nunaka Valley Elementary School saw a packed gym with an overwhelming majority of those attending opposed to closing the school.

Nunaka Valley neighbors say walking route to new school is dangerousPeople who live in Nunaka Valley are concerned about the walk their children may have to a new school

Letter: Don’t close Nunaka Valley ElementaryNunaka Valley Elementary staff know their students and families well. A small school environment can individually and immediately attend to kids’ needs.

OPINION: Closing Nunaka Valley Elementary would be unsafe for kids, unfair to communityIf, at the end of the day, the changes we’ve made to balance our budget serve wealthier students more than poor ones, we have not done our job.

Letter: Don’t close schoolsThe current decision-making process around the closing of neighborhood schools is an example of how policy decisions can perpetuate structural problems in our society.

Letter: Politics and school closure plansThe plan to close six elementary schools in the Anchorage School District is tainted by political influence.

OPINION: Why closing our schools won’t save moneyThe district is not finding efficiencies, but instead digging a deeper hole with these consolidations.

Anchorage shouldn’t close schools to score political points - The Alaska LandmineThe main reason for the Anchorage School District’s plan to close six elementary schools is not because it saves the district money. In fact, consolidating schools will actually reduce state funding and eventually cost the district in lost revenue. Instead, the reason is...… Read More