Anchorage School District advances plan to repurpose Lake Hood and Nenaka Valley; board sets February decision timeline

The Anchorage School District on Tuesday moved forward with a plan to repurpose two schools the board previously approved for closure, asking the board to allow administrators to prepare a non‑action memorandum in early February and return for a decision at the board’s second meeting in February.

District administrators told the School Board that the discussion concerns Lake Hood and Nenaka Valley and that staff will present a formal recommendation as a non‑action item at the first February meeting and seek a decision at the second February meeting. "We plan on sending letters to all the families by the end of this week, letting them know where their child is slated to go," said Mr. Anderson, an Anchorage School District administrator, summarizing an operational timeline the administration intends to follow.

The timeline matters because the student lottery opens Feb. 1 and because several charters and programs occupy leased facilities whose leases expire this summer and fall. Administration recommended moving Rokashule (a charter school identified in the briefing as the district’s largest in‑person charter) into Lake Hood and offered two options for Nenaka Valley: Highland Academy or Anchorage Stream Academy. The administration said minimal renovations would likely be required to house Rokashule at Lake Hood, while Nenaka Valley could accommodate Highland and free space at the district education center for the ACT program and Family Partnership.

Why it matters: board members and administrators said moving quickly would reduce disruption to students, families and staff. Administrators described early staffing actions that would place staff from closing schools before general staffing events and proposed Feb. 20 as a target date to make those placements if the board proceeds. "We won't make any moves to place those folks until February 20," said Sven, a district staff member on the talent management team. Administrators also said letters to families should go out immediately so parents can use the Feb. 1 lottery if they choose.

Budget and leases: the presentation included lease and utility figures administrators said drive the repurposing rationale. The district cited a roughly $738,000 annual lease for the facility currently serving Rokashule (plus about $85,000 in utilities, which the administration said brings the total to more than $800,000 per year). Administrators estimated preliminary revenue or cost relief from the closures and repurposing at just under $2 million in their upcoming budget work; they characterized the number as helpful but not large compared with the district’s overall budget needs.

Charter impacts and equity: administrators said bringing charter schools into district facilities can improve equity because leased charter facilities often lack cafeterias and other school infrastructure. The administration noted that the National School Lunch Program limits providing meals in leased spaces unless the district incurs general‑fund costs for all schools. The board discussed a prior practice in which the district subsidized part of Highland Academy’s lease (about $75,000 annually), and administration said state law limits the district’s ability to reallocate funds among charters.

Concerns and next steps: board members asked for details on student assignments, transportation and costs. Member Higgins pressed on options for the Alaska Native Cultural Charter School (ANCCS), which administrators described as operating on a short financial timeline and needing either repairs (including a fire suppression system) or a new long‑term plan. Member Lisonbee and others asked whether middle or secondary schools have space to colocate programs; administration said most middle schools lack an entire wing large enough for a colocated charter and that principals and APCs have opposed sharing in some cases. Several members voiced support for the administration’s proposed timeline; no formal roll‑call vote was taken. "We owe it to our kids and our families to move forward and do what we can," Member Margo Bellamy said in support.

Staff direction and uncertainties: administration asked board members to submit any strong preferences about Highland versus Stream for Nenaka Valley while staff completes the repurposing memo. The plan remains contingent on state funding developments; several board members and administrators noted that a late state funding increase could prompt the board to pause or reverse repurposing actions, but administration said failing to plan now would create operational delays. The board did not take a formal vote on closure reversals at the session; the administration said it would prepare the non‑action memo and return in February for the board’s decision.

The district also flagged facility priorities beyond the two closures: administrators said they plan to propose design and renovation work for Whaley in the next Capital Improvement Program and to examine longer‑term options for ANCCS, including whether to invest in a larger renovation that could draw bidders for work such as a fire suppression system.

If the board follows the administration’s timeline, families would receive assignment letters this week, the student choice lottery remains available beginning Feb. 1, staff placements tied to the closures would be proposed in mid‑to‑late February, and the board would consider the final repurposing action at its second February meeting.