Anchorage schools face 380 fewer teachers under budget gap; superintendent urges lawmakers to pass House Bill 69

Superintendent Dr. Bridal told the Anchorage School District board on April 8 that the district faces “about a hundred plus million dollar structural deficit,” and that unless the state acts the district will implement a budget that increases the pupil-to-teacher ratio by four students and eliminates roughly 380 teaching positions for next school year.

The district’s deficit is “structural,” Dr. Bridal said, meaning recurring revenues fall short of recurring expenses; federal COVID-relief funds and the district’s reserve (fund balance) previously masked the shortfall but are no longer available. He said ASD’s fund balance has been drawn down to about 5% of operating expenses — roughly two weeks’ worth of spending — and that prior one-time federal relief and repeated use of reserves have hidden the underlying gap.

Why it matters: The superintendent said the district can trim administrative costs but those cuts would not close the shortfall. “Even if we fired myself and everybody who works for me … we still would have had 77,000,000 more dollars to go,” he said. In practical terms the district budget as proposed would increase class sizes, trigger a districtwide teacher displacement process and reduce services such as nurses and certain extracurriculars. Community members — especially families and students at Chugach Optional Elementary School and patrons of Polaris K‑12 — told the board in public comment they fear the cuts will dismantle programs that produce strong student growth.

Key points from the administration: Dr. Bridal said ASD’s administrative spending is about 5% of its budget (roughly $33 million) and that past reductions in administrative and operational staffing leave “not a whole lot of fat” to cut without harming core services. He described a calculation the district used: raising the average class size (pupil-to-teacher ratio) by four students would reduce staffing needs by about 380 teachers; as the district implements displacement notices, roughly 85 teachers have been told they should expect to move, and the district estimates a shortfall of roughly 67 positions to meet baseline staffing for core subjects in some cases. He also said the state’s base per-student funding has risen only about $30 in the last ten years, and that the district cannot “print money” — the Legislature must increase appropriations to avoid the reductions.

About House Bill 69: Dr. Bridal urged constituents to contact the Legislature, noting HB 69 is “the major vehicle that’s in play” in Juneau and describing board amendments he said would direct any new funding to reduce class sizes and restore programs. He told the board and audience: “If House Bill 69 passes, the ASD board has already voted on that will restore class sizes back to what they were in 2016. That’s a guarantee.” On administrative cuts he said the board intends to preserve those reductions so “every single dollar will go towards our kids” if the bill passes.

Community reaction at the meeting: Dozens of students and parents testified during public comment, focusing particular attention on Chugach Optional Elementary School, which they said already operates at over‑capacity and uses a two‑year, multi‑age instructional model that would break down if two classroom teachers and a full-time librarian are cut. Students described large projected class sizes (they cited figures like 40 students in some classes) and loss of programs such as middle school sports, Ignite and library services; one former Chugach student said, “Chugach gave me the foundations I built my life on,” and urged the board not to cut teachers. Polaris K‑12 staff and parents warned of multiple staffing losses there, including the district’s planned reduction of school nurses to half-time in some buildings.

Board action and next steps: The board recessed to hear public testimony and later approved administrative business, then heard extended debate about capital planning work tied to bond-funded design (see separate item). Dr. Bridal said the district will be ready to hire if the Legislature confirms funding, but emphasized timing: “Every day that passes without action from the legislature is a day that ASD can’t hire teachers… This is so much bigger than just ASD in education.” Student leaders at the meeting also publicized a planned statewide student walkout on Friday, April 11 at 1 p.m. to protest the proposed cuts and urge lawmakers to act.

What the board voted on that evening: the board approved routine consent items and two specific action items in roll calls: a student hearing (expulsion) passed unanimously, 7–0; and the district authorized a capital professional services contract (see separate article) on a 6–1 vote. Board members repeatedly urged constituents to contact state legislators and the governor to press for additional funding.

Ending: The superintendent and board urged Anchorage residents to speak with their legislators this week; Dr. Bridal and student speakers said immediate action could change staffing outcomes before the next school year begins.