Alaska offers travel funding for September 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. Districts then receive a form outlining the specific costs they want covered.

The department published the guidance in its Aug. 5 newsletter on Elementary and Secondary Education Act programs. Each district will get one grant. Costs for substitutes and travel can be included.

The FY27 Alaska School Safety & Well-Being Summit is scheduled for Sept. 16-17 at the William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center. Pre-conference sessions are set for 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. Both events reflect a broader emphasis in education systems on trauma-engaged practices, school climate improvement, media literacy and crisis preparedness.

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, which it says is critical to student outcomes. The Anchorage School District reports a budget deficit exceeding $100 million and is cutting 24 assistant principal positions, including 15 at elementary schools.