Anchorage School District says most of $121.6 million fund balance already committed, limits ability to restore staff

The Anchorage School District told its school board on April 22 that the $121.6 million in general‑fund unreserved fund balance reported at the end of fiscal 2024 is largely already committed or restricted, and is not available in full to avert staff reductions.

At a work session, Dr. Bryant, speaking for district administration, said the $121.6 million figure “is largely spoken for at this point,” listing $37 million the board dedicated to the current year’s spending plan, nearly $50 million set aside for the next year’s budget, and about $27 million restricted as a bond‑rating reserve. “That leaves about, you know, a little under $8,000,000 of actual spendable money,” Dr. Bryant said.

The statement came as board members and district staff responded to public statements and a legislative narrative that the district had unused one‑time state funds and large savings that could prevent any staff reductions. The district said that narrative reflected a misreading of financial reports and timing differences between state reporting deadlines and the district’s adopted budget.

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