Alaska will cover district travel to a school safety summit

Alaska school districts can send staff to a statewide school safety summit in Anchorage next month without spending federal education money on the trip. The Alaska Department of Education & Early Development said districts should indicate during registration that they need travel support, and will then receive a form outlining the specific costs they want covered.

The department laid out the guidance in a newsletter this week. Each district will get one grant, which can include costs for substitutes and travel.

The Alaska School Safety & Well-Being Summit is scheduled for Sept. 16-17 at the William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center, with pre-conference sessions Sept. 15. Sessions will cover trauma-engaged practices, school climate, media literacy and internet safety, and crisis preparedness.

"Educational leaders, key staff, and strategic stakeholders, including representation from every district across the state, will convene to improve school safety and well-being in Alaska," wrote Christy Roe, the department's school recognition and support administrator.

The summit follows a similar 2019 gathering at the Egan Center, when the department funded district teams of up to six people.

Staffing and budget pressures may affect how many districts can send personnel or carry summit practices back to schools. The Association of Alaska School Boards has described an unprecedented statewide recruitment and retention crisis affecting teachers, administrators and support staff. The Anchorage School District reports a budget deficit exceeding $100 million and is cutting 24 assistant principal positions, including 15 at elementary schools.