Alaska education department delays review of July school improvement applications

Alaska school districts that applied in July for school improvement funding, grant money for schools the state identifies as needing support, face delayed reviews with an Oct. 31 approval deadline ahead, the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development said in an Oct. 2 newsletter. The department gave no timeline for completing them.

Under the department's District GMS Overview, its guide to the online grants management system, initial applications must be approved by Oct. 31 for districts to seek reimbursement for first-quarter spending. School improvement funds cannot be carried over.

The department cited staffing changes. New School Improvement Program Manager Kerri Bartholomew started in August.

Quarter 1 Quarterly Progress Monitoring Reports, due Oct. 15, 2026, are recommended but not required unless a district requires them. Quarter 2 and end-of-year reports remain required.

Districts with concerns should contact their school improvement point of contact.