Parents and teachers press board to reverse Pearl Creek closure, ask waiver for charter/magnet proposals

Dozens of parents, teachers and community members told the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District board on Feb. 18 that the decision to close Pearl Creek Elementary should be reconsidered and that the district should waive its Oct. 1 application deadline so the community’s STEAM magnet or a charter application can move forward for the 2025–26 school year.

The plea came during the meeting’s public-comment hour, where speakers linked the closure decision to broader budget choices and urged the board to give a community-developed alternative “due diligence.” “I am here today asking you to reconsider your vote to close Pearl Creek Elementary and to give the Steam Magnet School proposal close consideration and due diligence,” said Heidi Wood, who identified herself as a Fairbanks resident and a member of the Pearl Creek campaign.

Supporters described a months-long volunteer effort to prepare a charter application and said they filed a formal notice of intent on Feb. 10 and a complete charter application the week of the meeting. Several speakers invoked district policy and state law while arguing the district should not block access to district facilities. “According to policy 935.2, you cannot outright deny our application for a charter…