[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",5980231,"mediaKeyId","5792441-02cc07f76d3e4a538d4b15f7c3dd4e70","parentId",5792441,"title","District reports \"meaningful growth\" in AK STAR results; comprehensive report scheduled for Oct. 7","audioSeconds",154,"startMs",2457000,"endMs",2611000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5792441-02cc07f76d3e4a538d4b15f7c3dd4e70&start=2457&end=2611","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5792441-02cc07f76d3e4a538d4b15f7c3dd4e70/thumbnail_2457000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5980231/Alaska/District-reports-meaningful-growth-in-AK-STAR-results-comprehensive-report-scheduled-for-Oct-7","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980231-5f0ec35b048a113c11e2be2389c672ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1775557850&Signature=FGl8iCuObS9bSDqgnW0o-fhcgUEvi2TJrSXsjyDg7rxkZeNX~7pqxK37qENcFz0nnl-3Lul9gGY03JeMnbPuqCz3JVmk-BImn9atKwNHCz4PdOnESRLmQLowA~5sDxyFP-8PKYBQaKbpwk09YfDj~4sSQIot~YPEiGwc5SI7fVVh0djoogRZ~m3rXVV6lY8fTPT2MLxVk7jNnV0oI2WcYudKqtHeCmcRYShWGRqYKQbzl7nCD2IUOzX30ERd8jl4luOcATvn5eoZGph9isN9EC8oC8i7xygx5JqzIb2VEV44dBMe7QLdcbDGQnf5PTzzaLeH8IL19O4cjJLzXkCwUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Fairbanks North Star Borough School District","date","2025-09-17T16:15:38Z","article","District administrators reported to the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District board on Sept. 16 that the Alaska STAR exams and Alaska science assessments released for spring 2025 show \"steady meaningful growth\" with improved reading and math scores districtwide for a second year in a row.
Dr. Meinert said individual student reports were sent to families the morning of the meeting via ParentSquare and that a comprehensive presentation of the AK STAR, MCAS and NWEA MAP results will be given to the board and community by assessment director Shane Beam and his team on Oct. 7.
Nut graf: The announcement frames statewide assessment results as improving but flagged that the board will receive a fuller breakdown and analysis at the October meeting to better understand implications for instruction and services.
Administrators said the district is seeing fewer students requiring intensive support and more students meeting grade‑level expectations. Dr. Meinert asked families to review individual student reports and said the assessment team will describe what each assessment measures, where the district stands and recommended next steps.
Other items in the report included an announcement that the deadline for charter school applications for the 2026–27 school year is Oct. 1, 2025, and a note that free Alaska Hunter education courses for students 10 and older will be held Sept. 29 with partial online coursework and a four‑hour in‑person field day.
Ending: The board asked for a later presentation to include how principals and teachers receive assessment data and how demographic differences noted in state commentary (e.g., subgroup performance correlations) are considered when interpreting results.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-09-16 | School Board Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","District administrators told the board that spring 2025 Alaska STAR exam results show districtwide gains in reading and math for a second consecutive year; a detailed presentation will be given by assessment staff on Oct. 7.","taxTitle","Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, School Districts, Alaska","taxId",12912,"location","Alaska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5980235,"Board names John Siedor as chief negotiator for upcoming union contract talks",461,5117000,5578000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5792441-02cc07f76d3e4a538d4b15f7c3dd4e70&start=5117&end=5578","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5792441-02cc07f76d3e4a538d4b15f7c3dd4e70/thumbnail_5117000.jpg","/articles/5980235/Alaska/Board-names-John-Siedor-as-chief-negotiator-for-upcoming-union-contract-talks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980235-64c8c2de02dc0be1d4d878dc3b2a3746/orig.mp4?Expires=1775557850&Signature=G9TTgEzBLZwxWbJVBUUu1OQrQqXg-uwDM6eQEBUjZDgWWf6-NVy4S9BVW-LwCoBPfctnp20vp3egpkXTf3a3noa-yjvWdmrGJjNgw92HEKptoVnE1Xmac3fEmZk8TsX-4ENuvlxc3c0deC6E6jPNUtkwMkbqmMrZ2OxrEnA8y8W5uhiqWddTzd-nEv~Q2VgZwt4bR6kNlnI0WrTj0J8AKPpPJ5AyByJCbK4Zk~Y9WRQe0-PDo8h6reg37CpLQJF~VJ5ojbccI7TSJpXcv0NSSEqlICuOt1Pv69fEwMJuRLkQgUxzjwN3XImnMVdQhuW8UF5f2s7glv3AJLNI7avK~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District board voted on Sept. 16 to name John Siedor as the board's chief negotiator for upcoming collective bargaining with the Education Support Staff Association and the Fairbanks Education Association. The motion, \"Move to name John Siedor as chief negotiator for the school board and its negotiations with the Education Support Staff Association and the Fairbanks Education Association,\" was moved, seconded and carried by roll call.
Nut graf: The board said Siedor's experience with collective bargaining will help the district begin negotiations for contracts that expire June 30, 2026, and the district intends to start bargaining in the second semester with a goal of resolving terms before the contract expiration.
Reasons and timeline: Dr. Meinert said Siedor has prior experience negotiating collective bargaining agreements and that the district's new chief human resources officer lacks that negotiation background; naming an experienced negotiator is intended to support efficient bargaining. The district noted the typical timeline is to start negotiations in the second semester and to aim to conclude by spring so the board can account for negotiated outcomes in next year's budget.
Budget and legal notes: Board members asked whether costs for negotiations were included in the current budget; district staff said legal services costs are variable and the current budget is expected to suffice but the total cost will depend on negotiation length. The board discussed using interest‑based or collaborative bargaining approaches.
Vote: Miss Richardson called the roll; the transcript records all present members voting yes. There was no public testimony on the item. The board then moved on to other business.","The board voted to name John Siedor as the chief negotiator for contract negotiations with the Education Support Staff Association and the Fairbanks Education Association; the contracts expire June 30, 2026, and the district expects to begin talks in the second semester.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5980241,"Board reads LGBTQ History Month resolution amid public opposition and supportive remarks",3631,80000,3711000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5792441-02cc07f76d3e4a538d4b15f7c3dd4e70&start=80&end=3711","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5792441-02cc07f76d3e4a538d4b15f7c3dd4e70/thumbnail_80000.jpg","/articles/5980241/Alaska/Board-reads-LGBTQ-History-Month-resolution-amid-public-opposition-and-supportive-remarks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980241-16fed66f26bd4cb7a47cec80d27aea7e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775557850&Signature=Tr5hg1bQu8WikLJEcP5JTctz8gyYDK33aiyNUfuIZieL2-Qri2FVfn2JYeWSVzZOs79hYCtoHeZlJTCj9ov8L4mArnHdddv7q6UVo96a8pdTXAhd~TAmsNtEApHnnFYn~--jg2jyT5D-SrriFIgpwWBas2iWbqNx0Nsfu-51jMCE934I58pjc70JIUZuSRbx~grV~1paAgwPuGJ~ZqVgtnHUzPaMfo3rZqHq8~5k~Hpc3opFIogFgowrQIf4vQiLHyv188u4~s8eqVkWTWzPCYOQupd6PLxUFsiX98gOHNtiKl1TcKJ9NdP0efMKBilk167PEovJ3EBHu5URjikPEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District board read a resolution on Sept. 16 recognizing October 2025 as LGBTQ History Month and encouraging schools to \"promote a community where all students and staff are supported and affirmed.\" The resolution text was read aloud by board member Miss Maple.
Several members of the public used the meeting's public comment period to oppose the district's LGBTQ History Month recognition. \"Our community does not want their children being encouraged to celebrate [LGBTQ] identities,\" said Gail McBride, who identified herself as part of Moms for Liberty. Dennis Gardella said the annual inclusion \"seems to just go through year after year\" on the consent agenda with no debate and urged the board to \"just reward people or recognize people just as people for their accomplishments.\" Another testifier, Kevin Wright, told the board the recognition and related school practices were \"distracting\" from academics.
Nut graf: The reading prompted divided public testimony; board members defended the resolution as an affirmation of belonging while opponents said such recognitions deepen community divisions.
Board discussion: Board member Miss Maple read the resolution and explained its intent to \"affirm that our schools are inclusive and safe places for our diverse community,\" and cautioned that public discussion must honestly recognize that \"LGBTQ people, especially transgender and non‑binary folks, are being targeted with growing hostility and misinformation.\" She added, \"For the record, to every queer person listening, your identity is not controversial and your existence is not debatable.\"
Board member Michael Burgess later told the meeting he supports the annual resolution and said such affirmations can positively affect academic outcomes. He urged the community to avoid erasure and avoid treating identity as illegitimate. Board member Dorn also urged civility and dialogue across differences.
Procedural note: The resolution text was read into the record during the meeting. The transcript does not show a separate recorded motion and vote to adopt the resolution during the Sept. 16 session; the board discussed the resolution and then proceeded to other business on the agenda.
Ending: The district encouraged schools to use the Alaska Native Education Program and other resources for observance activities; board members said they will continue to bring the topic forward in future meetings.","The school board read a resolution recognizing October 2025 as LGBTQ History Month; the reading drew multiple public commentators opposed to the recognition and a board member said the resolution affirms school inclusivity and addresses rising anti‑LGBTQ rhetoric.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5980246,"Parents and staff tell school board that outsourced cleaning falls short; district says it is addressing reports",143,653000,796000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5792441-02cc07f76d3e4a538d4b15f7c3dd4e70&start=653&end=796","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5792441-02cc07f76d3e4a538d4b15f7c3dd4e70/thumbnail_653000.jpg","/articles/5980246/Alaska/Parents-and-staff-tell-school-board-that-outsourced-cleaning-falls-short-district-says-it-is-addressing-reports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980246-869fd7c0b81d099481f93614b47da897/orig.mp4?Expires=1775557850&Signature=JI-RtqwA9xlzmJLdarmEFj0fh~is2LDrFECn~8blJ4gfwqwiPdrKcqXYeoqCw~-Rj4w3f09RzAoNtcAJnXDuFjQfSIP6lp0rukyNOlzYSR5xcgZ~KcGCTbuM7ffdvhlSagWOgnefSZcbTd73aYhHdtEQtQxLUm-KoHj0MLxnqVGD2fUZG7BYhRF90oszcRYrL6Wn3ckimpSm2WnqfklfqrpOHJK5yAXZQSzgoh1LWe-MAMALi5ySjgX7y8ACQgZQO1SMr9DOhjvZPpPBK4qRbI~0zhHQlvOVpTHnQouVThhNEcTC1aVyDWTMWOwHiOkmrzPJJxBqyEZ9fPB1KH1wpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several community members and a district employee told the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District board on Sept. 16 that custodial and cleaning services provided by contractor ABM are not meeting expectations, leaving bathrooms and health spaces unclean and unsecured.
\"Do you know a kindergarten bathroom went untouched for days? One for an entire week,\" said April Johnson, who identified herself as an ESSA member and said she also spoke for some Fairbanks Education Association members. Johnson listed instances she said staff had reported, including unlocked nurses' offices that store narcotics and student records and counseling offices left unsecured.
Johnson said staff are logging extra cleaning time they are performing and questioned whether district employees should be compensated for work ABM should provide. \"This is not a blip. It's a widespread failure, and the consequences are falling on the backs of our staff and students,\" she said.
Nut graf: Testimony prompted board questions and district comment; administrators said facilities staff are working with ABM and that ABM was near full staffing at the start of the school year but that problems reported are being addressed.
Board discussion and staff response: Board member (Dr.) Meinert said facilities and maintenance \"continues to work with ABM. As reports are reported up through them, they're addressing them on a regular basis.\" When asked for staffing numbers, the district said ABM was \"close to being fully staffed at the beginning of the school year\" and that it was down two employees at that time to accomplish the contracted scope of work, according to Dr. Meinert.
Board member John Doran asked whether \"fully staffed\" reflected the district's pre‑outsourcing custodial numbers or ABM's contracted staffing; Dr. Meinert replied ABM was fully staffed to the scope they were contractually required to provide, and that at the beginning of the year they were down \"two employees to start the year.\" Board member Dorn referenced an approximate figure of 75 fewer district custodial positions compared with prior staffing levels; the district did not confirm that number in the meeting record.
Ending: No formal action or motion was taken; the board directed staff to continue working with ABM and to address reports as they come in. The district said it would continue to receive and act on facility complaints.","Multiple public commenters told the board that outsourced cleaning (ABM) is failing at several schools, citing unclean restrooms, unlocked nurse offices and unattended counseling rooms; district administrators said facilities staff and ABM are addressing reports and that ABM was close to full staffing at the start of the year.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5980251,"West Valley students say school recycling program collected more than 6,000 pounds in first year",749,3213000,3962000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5792441-02cc07f76d3e4a538d4b15f7c3dd4e70&start=3213&end=3962","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5792441-02cc07f76d3e4a538d4b15f7c3dd4e70/thumbnail_3213000.jpg","/articles/5980251/Alaska/West-Valley-students-say-school-recycling-program-collected-more-than-6000-pounds-in-first-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980251-d0a6a03a71c3edd492180c11fad4a2a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775557850&Signature=V9tpyf1fZ8s1YMhZqqWlTAopBfmsxm-SWxr5hmQcUeYaInqpoflsNt4Hqr1kxhtgJRO8TABPzcv9GJd~5ivOepVf0FfaCmMSK1K6nisUyoroFt6nMfvOdsNoefRBVzBG02GiuoPZMAbKy7~WfWI40BJXxtbKp28xQ-0EljXe1riymbe8MATB3OdJsH4pqQYrjSCfybCJHDPVI3r7ZAi~Fccqe-2923PDbuPVfKuOeV6bIs-f~ZNKssTOPp6tiNhyLkcuY82yEJZ5ZaAj1Ikuzw2N59fALnzwldsI5W8tNqfRt-aWDsBHB5sMPf~TwNFukrtl4Z~jBy8pEgnAozQG8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","West Valley High School students told the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District board on Sept. 16 that their student‑led Climate Defense League recycling program collected roughly 6,160 pounds of recyclables since October, after the club received a grant and installed a large collection bin. \"The first time we emptied the container, we collected 500 pounds,\" co‑president Annika Merkel said; subsequent pickups were 1,700, 1,920 and 2,040 pounds, she said.
The students said a grant from Explore Fairbanks routed through Golden Heart Waste Management and cooperation with Green Star Recycling allowed the program to move from classroom bag collections to a dumpster‑size container and rolling classroom bins. \"We were able to store all of our recyclables in there, and then Golden Heart Waste Management would come, pick up the recyclables, and deliver them to the recycling facility,\" Merkel said.
Nut graf: The student presentation showed how a small, student‑organized operation and targeted funding can scale recycling at a high school and asked the district to help replicate the approach at other schools.
Student leaders described operations and outcomes: the program serves about 55 rooms (classrooms and administrative spaces), involves roughly 10 student volunteers, and requires about 4.8–5 hours of student time per week. The students said roughly 140 hours of volunteer time produced the 6,160‑pound total and that the collection included paper, cardboard, aluminum and plastic.
Co‑president Anna Westfall said the club also used the grant money to buy rolling bins and classroom recycling containers and to place bins in the cafeteria and library. Westfall said those changes sped collection and allowed the club to broaden materials they accepted. \"We had a significantly faster collection process,\" she said.
Students said they want the district to help expand the approach to other high schools and requested help connecting with staff and peers at Lathrop and North Pole high schools. They also said Golden Heart Waste Management has expressed continued interest in supporting expansion.
Board members praised the students. School board member Jane Julian called the students \"Arctic leaders\" and encouraged them to expand beyond recycling into broader climate projects. Board member Michael Burgess asked about the program's funding and staffing challenges; the students said their grant came from leftover Arctic Winter Games funds administered by Explore Fairbanks and that recruiting students and school champions is their main operational hurdle.
Ending: The board did not take action on the student presentation; members thanked the students and encouraged follow‑up. Merkel and Westfall said they hope to work with district staff to pilot similar collection containers at additional high schools this year.","Student leaders from West Valley High School described a student‑led recycling program that collected about 6,160 pounds of paper, cardboard, plastics and aluminum after the school secured a grant and new collection bins; students urged the district to help expand the model to other schools.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District reports "meaningful growth" in AK STAR results; comprehensive report scheduled for Oct. 7

Board names John Siedor as chief negotiator for upcoming union contract talks

Board reads LGBTQ History Month resolution amid public opposition and supportive remarks

Parents and staff tell school board that outsourced cleaning falls short; district says it is addressing reports

West Valley students say school recycling program collected more than 6,000 pounds in first year