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Parents and educators urge borough to spare Pearl Creek Elementary, propose STEAM magnet instead of closure
Summary
Public commenters and school-board representatives urged the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly and the school district to avoid closing Pearl Creek Elementary and to consider converting it to a STEAM magnet; the school board has scheduled a consolidation vote for Feb. 4 amid a multi‑million dollar budget shortfall.
Parents, teachers and community members urged the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly and the North Star Borough School District to keep Pearl Creek Elementary open and convert it to a STEAM magnet school, saying the neighborhood campus is academically strong and tightly connected to local partners.
"I urge you to prioritize funding for our public schools and to consider the immense value that Pearl Creek Elementary brings to our community," said Jacqueline Muehlbauer, a Pearl Creek parent and Fairbanks resident.
School board representative Michael Burgess told the assembly the board will vote on a proposed set of school consolidations at its regular meeting on Feb. 4 and said the board has been collecting public input at listening sessions and hearings. "Our vote on school consolidations will be on February 4 at our regular meeting," Burgess said.
Why it matters: The district and borough say long‑term budget…
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