Fairbanks residents, principals and teachers urge board to keep neighborhood schools open

Fairbanks — More than an hour of public testimony on Jan. 13 drew parents, principals, teachers and students who urged the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District board to reconsider a proposed consolidation that would close five elementary schools and reassign about 1,190 students.

Speakers focused on equity, transportation and the loss of programs targeted to high‑need students. "This proposal does not do the most good for the most students," said Jay Million, a testifier who criticized the district's rationale for repurposing Midnight Sun Elementary. Several speakers asked the board to preserve neighborhood schools or pursue alternatives such as converting Pearl Creek into a K–5 magnet school.

The concern centered on how closures would affect Title I and special‑needs services. Audra Hull, an advocate who identified herself as the mother of three children and supporter of Hunter Elementary, said Hunter serves high numbers of Alaska Native students, students with disabilities and families experiencing economic hardship and homelessness and that the school currently provides an extensive mix of supports, including an on‑site clinician…