ASD claims state funding bill comes too late

The Anchorage School District says a potential one-time state funding increase could arrive too late to restore teacher positions before the 2026–27 school year.

At Tuesday's Anchorage School Board meeting, Superintendent Jharrett Bryantt told board members that House Bill 263 could provide up to $37 million to ASD, but the money is tied to a state revenue determination that may not happen until August 31. Classes in Anchorage begin before that date.

"Essentially we are too late already," Bryantt said when asked whether there was a point at which new funding would become difficult to use for reducing pupil-teacher ratios.

The bill's school funding provision depends on Alaska's unrestricted general fund revenue for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. Under the bill language, the commissioner of revenue would determine by August 31 whether revenue exceeded $6.3 billion. If the threshold is met, money would be distributed as grants to school districts.

State operating budgets for school districts are due to the Department of Education and Early Development by July 15. ASD officials said teacher hiring decisions generally need to happen much earlier, with February and March described as the strongest hiring window.

Bryantt said ASD recruited a couple dozen teachers last year when state funding became clear a few weeks before school started. He said this year's situation is different because the revenue determination may not happen until after the school year has begun.

Board member Rachel Blakeslee said the district could potentially communicate that positions are open if funding becomes available, but that would not guarantee they could be filled.

HB 263 had passed through the Legislature's budget process, but as of the Legislature's public bill page it was listed as awaiting transmittal to the governor. If the bill is signed and the revenue condition is met, ASD officials said the money could still help the district. But they cautioned that the later the funding becomes certain, the harder it becomes to use it for teacher hiring before students return to classrooms.