Anchorage superintendent says April school bond should stay under $60 million

Anchorage School District Superintendent Jharrett Bryantt told the Anchorage School Board on Tuesday that the district's April 2027 bond should be smaller than last time, even though staff have identified more than $136 million in projects.

"I do believe that it is important, as I've shared before, that the district pursue a bond this April, but I do believe that the size of the bond should be smaller. And by smaller, I mean lower than around $60 million," Bryantt said.

The final list is the board's decision, he said, and a finalized bond proposal comes before the board in November.

Voters rejected the district's $79.46 million bond in April, with 49.67% support, according to the district's recap of its Oct. 6 meeting. At that meeting, staff put the district's deferred maintenance at almost $1.5 billion and listed urgent repairs ahead of the bond, planning and design supervisor Larry Morris said Tuesday.

A district capital planning official said a preliminary survey of about 1,300 frequent voters put median support near $52 million without state bond debt reimbursement, and slightly higher with it. The state covers 50% of bond debt when the Legislature appropriates the money, he said. At that rate, a $60 million bond would cost Anchorage taxpayers about $30 million, the recap says.

Morris described projects on the longer list:

• Romig Middle School: a new secure vestibule, a leaking roof and structural issues. The design is 95% ready to bid.

• Klatt Elementary: seismic upgrades.

• Tudor Elementary: a roof replacement. It is one of four operating elementary schools without a secure vestibule.

• East High School: district-owned electrical service running through vaults that are underwater much of the time.

A district facilities official said Chinook Elementary's fire-damaged playground would be fully replaced for about $1.8 million.

Board member Kelly Lessens said "the priorities that were on the bond last year haven't gotten any less leaky over time." Board member Paul McDonogh asked how the district could show the public that schools on the list are unlikely to close.

Staff plan one-on-one meetings with board members over the next week to narrow the list.