Anchorage schools model a $9 million budget gap for fiscal 2028

Anchorage School District officials project a roughly $9 million shortfall for fiscal 2028, even after carrying forward one-time state funding and assuming additional energy relief.

Chief Financial Officer Ratliff said the district received $32.19 million in one-time state funds and reserved $17.61 million for fiscal 2028. The current model also assumes $18 million in energy relief and 5% cost growth.

The $9 million figure is not a worst-case estimate. It excludes enrollment changes, unsettled labor contracts, curriculum, technology and maintenance. About $20.4 million is also supporting teachers, nurses and activities with money that does not continue automatically.

Assembly Member Erin Baldwin-Day said the underlying cost pressure is closer to $40 million before savings and other adjustments reduce the modeled gap. That figure and the $9 million projection describe different stages of the budget calculation, not a range of equally likely deficits.

The district closed a roughly $90 million fiscal 2027 deficit through staff cuts, school closures and other reductions. Superintendent Jharrett Bryantt said the next balanced budget must be ready before March.