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Mayor proposes $12 million special education levy; assembly sends $79.47 million school bond to April ballot

Anchorage Assembly · January 14, 2026

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Summary

Mayor announced a one‑time $12 million special education levy for the April ballot and asked the assembly to focus on that measure; the assembly unanimously postponed a separate sales-tax proposal and voted 9–3 to send a $79,467,000 Anchorage School District bond measure to voters.

The Anchorage Assembly on Jan. 13 heard the mayor’s announcement of a one‑time $12,000,000 special education levy intended for the April ballot and voted to send a separate school bond question asking voters to authorize up to $79,467,000 in general obligation bonds.

At the start of the meeting the mayor described last month’s record snowfall and praised public works before outlining a rapidly developed levy to fill an $83,000,000 funding gap for the Anchorage School District. The administration said the levy would reduce forecast class‑size increases and program cuts, and estimated a one‑time cost for property taxpayers of about $27.40 per $100,000 of assessed value (roughly $109 on a $400,000 home) if voters approve it.

The mayor also moved to postpone a separate, broader sales‑tax proposal (a 3% sales‑and‑use tax the mayor had discussed) so the administration and the assembly can continue community conversations about long‑term fiscal options. The assembly agreed, voting to postpone that measure indefinitely.

Separately, after a public hearing with competing testimony about district finances and building needs, the assembly voted 9–3 to place a $79,467,000 general obligation bond question on the April ballot. According to the administration’s materials, the bond package is aimed at capital work the municipality owns and supports the Anchorage School District in projects that include roof replacements, structural repairs, electrical upgrades and improved access control at multiple schools. The administration estimated the property‑tax impact of the bond at roughly $7.82 per $100,000 of assessed value (per packet materials read into the record).

What happens next: The education levy and the school bond will both appear on the municipal ballot only if they are certified and meet statutory deadlines; voters will decide in April whether to approve the bond. The sales‑tax proposal remains postponed while the mayor and staff pursue additional public engagement and planning.