1:34
Kelly Lessens
99:25 - 100:59
"I am concerned that in two— sort of in two areas, well, maybe three, that primarily that the recommendation, the initial recommendation to invest in the English language arts curriculum, is not something that the public has had a robust opportunity to weigh in on as a board action item. There has been a prior public process, but it was news to the board. However, I also recognize that there are time-sensitive concerns with respect to establishing a pilot for that program."
“I am concerned that in two— sort of in two areas, well, maybe three, that primarily that the recommendation, the initial recommendation to invest in the English language arts curriculum, is not something that the public has had a robust opportunity to weigh in on as a board action item. There has been a prior public process, but it was news to the board. However, I also recognize that there are time-sensitive concerns with respect to establishing a pilot for that program.”
- Speaker
- Kelly Lessens
- Timestamp
- 99:25 – 100:59
- Community
- Alaska News
- Location
- Anchorage
- Captured at
- July 7, 2026
From the transcript
But as I indicated earlier, I am concerned that in two— sort of in two areas, well, maybe three, that primarily that the recommendation, the initial recommendation to invest in the English language arts curriculum, is not something that the public has had a robust opportunity to weigh in on as a board action item. There has been a prior public process, but it was news to the board. However, I also recognize that there are time-sensitive concerns with respect to establishing a pilot for that program. So at this time, and in, you know, at a moment where we have radically eliminated classroom teachers in passing a balanced budget, I believe there is a path forward to initiate a pilot this year prior to formally adopting that curriculum and use a substantial portion of the $2.7 million proposed here, uh, in a way— actually, a series of ways that would benefit students, um, across the district. So at this point, I will move, uh, Lessons Amendment 1 and ask for a second.
Related Coverage
Anchorage board rejects Campbell STEM budget amendment 3-4, legal questions linger
The Anchorage School Board voted 3-4 Tuesday to reject a budget amendment that would have redirected $2.78 million toward restoring Campbell STEM Elementary, but the debate exposed unresolved legal questions about the school's closure status and board members questioning the district's savings assumptions.
by Walter AlaskaNews5h ago3 min readAIAnchorage, Alaska
