Alaska senators press for answers after nearly 25% enrollment drop at Mount Edgecumbe

Alaska senators raised alarm over a sharp decline in enrollment and poor facility conditions at Mount Edgecumbe, saying the school lost around 100 students — roughly 25% of its population — and detailing problems ranging from damaged dormitory tiles to rodent infestations and allegedly undrinkable tap water.

The matter surfaced during a Senate floor update, where the president said media reporting prompted a finance subcommittee visit to Sitka. ‘‘We’ve got 400 students there, and they’ve lost a 100 students, very, very quickly,’’ the president said in the chamber, summarizing the delegation’s findings.

Senators who toured the school described a two‑day visit that included meetings with the superintendent, food‑service personnel and a student‑only forum. A senator who spoke about the tour said the dining facilities suffered from outdated equipment and, at times, an inability to keep food‑preparation floors clean. ‘‘I had a glass of water, and I couldn’t finish it,’’ the senator said, describing how many students reported bringing bottled water because the tap water ‘‘tastes so bad.’’ Delegates also reported missing ceiling tiles, chipped floors and damage in dormitory hallways.

Senator Noble, speaking on the floor, framed the issue as part of a statewide problem of aging school infrastructure and cited multiple past appropriation requests that she said were vetoed by the governor. Noble listed several previous line items for Mount Edgecumbe and other facilities that, she said, did not reach implementation because the governor vetoed them. She told colleagues the House and Senate education committees will receive presentations from the commissioner and superintendent, with a House Education hearing scheduled for 8 a.m. and a Senate Education update to follow; Senate Finance will also take additional testimony later in the week.

Why it matters: Mount Edgecumbe serves students statewide and has been identified by senators as an important leadership and educational pipeline. Senators said they were worried that students returning to their home districts with negative experiences would depress long‑term enrollment and community trust.

What’s next: Committees have been invited to take testimony from the Department of Education and the school’s superintendent. Senators urged the administration to engage with lawmakers to identify near‑term health and safety fixes along with longer‑term capital repairs.

Attribution: Direct quotes in this article come from speakers on the Senate floor as recorded in the transcript. Several senators and reporters raised the matter during the floor update and subsequent questions.