House Education Committee hears Mount Edgecumbe update amid $1.6 million shortfall and student departures

Juneau — State education officials told the Alaska House Education Committee on Feb. 11 that Mount Edgecumbe High School has struggled with staffing, vendor turnover and an operating shortfall after COVID-era funds expired.

"When we ran the first quarter projections, Mount Edgecumbe was $1,600,000 over budget," Commissioner Dina Bishop said, explaining that the school received slightly more than $5 million in federal COVID relief from 2021–2023 that had been used to fund staffing and other operations. Bishop said dorm costs rose about 24 percent and food-service costs rose roughly 102 percent, which prompted a review of contracts and program costs.

Superintendent David Langford, who was hired July 1, 2025, described leadership turnover and a vendor change in dormitory and kitchen services that coincided with resignations of several long‑time staff. Langford said DEED re-bid services, moved some positions back into vendor contracts and reduced planned teacher cuts from 14 to four while balancing other administrative reductions to restore fiscal stability.

"We had to get the right people on the bus," Langford said, outlining efforts to refill critical positions and to start school‑improvement work with academic and dormitory principals.

Principal Miranda Baca told the committee that roughly 100 students left this school year and that the departures were spread across grades: 34 freshmen, 29 sophomores, 30 juniors and 10 seniors. "There was not one consistent theme," Baca said, adding that homesickness, dorm conflicts and adjustment to new dorm staff and contractor practices were common reasons. She said about 60 of the withdrawn students were female and 40 male, and that a few students were dismissed for academic failures.

Students who traveled to Juneau to testify described both challenges and opportunities at the residential school. "MHS is the reason I walk into places like this with purpose," student Caden Cross said, urging continued funding for staff, facilities and maintenance. Student Ilana (Elana) Kalki outlined leaking pipes, malfunctioning washers and showers, and inconsistent rules tied to communication gaps between contractor staff and state employees.

Committee members pressed DEED officials about governance and oversight because Mount Edgecumbe is managed under the Department of Education and Early Development and not a locally elected board. Bishop and Langford said the State Board of Education approves hires and that an advisory board provides local input; Bishop noted a state board member sits on the advisory board to maintain communication.

Looking ahead, Langford said the school has capacity to grow if facilities expand and repairs proceed: he estimated Mount Edgecumbe could reach 600 students with new dormitory space and said roof replacements and other building repairs are planned for next summer. Bishop and Langford also noted grants the school has received, including the Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grant and one competitively awarded grant involving NANA.

The cochair closed by announcing that the House Finance Subcommittee on DEED residential school funding will meet Feb. 13 at 8 a.m. to review budget details. The committee invited additional written testimony at house.education@akledge.gov.

The session concluded with no formal motions or votes recorded on the status update.