The Anchorage School District Board’s governance discussion on May 29 prioritized two administrative audits for the coming cycle: a district‑wide curriculum review and a special education review that would include services for highly gifted students.

Board members said a curriculum audit would be a high‑level review of district curriculum practices and how other districts achieve results; members suggested the review could recommend incremental, lower‑cost changes if full adoption proved unaffordable. Several members also recommended a targeted special education audit to examine compliance, service delivery and placement decisions, and to consider whether gifted services and highly gifted designation should be reviewed together.

Budget and scope: Board members noted the district has approximately $100,000 budgeted for operational audits; a prior purchasing audit cost about $50,000. Members cautioned that audit findings sometimes carry fiscal implications and the board should consider potential follow‑up costs before committing. Several members urged deferring a final commitment until after the governor’s funding decisions and the district’s June budget work are clearer.

Process and next steps: Board members asked governance to draft a 12‑month audit plan in the fall mirroring the finance committee’s planning approach. They recommended administration help scope the audit engagements and the governance committee set final scopes so the audits answer specific board questions. The board discussed using the upcoming retreat to involve legislators or other stakeholders in planning and agreed to return to the matter after budget clarity.

Why it matters: Members said curriculum and special education audits could identify opportunities to improve student outcomes and to develop an evidence base for legislative advocacy, particularly around gifted services. No formal vote to commission external auditors was taken at the meeting; members sketched a plan for scope development and budget review.