Fairbanks North Star Borough board backs recommended budget that cuts class sizes, adds tutors and brings back elementary music

The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District on the Alaska Adventure podcast described a recommended budget the board passed that reduces class sizes, restores staffing and expands elementary programs while contending with an $11.4 million sweep of district reserves and other funding uncertainties.

"The best investment we were able to make this year was a reduction in pupil to teacher ratio," said Bobby Burgess, president of the district school board, describing a plan to meet state target PTR levels and to lower middle-school ratios further to increase elective and CTE options.

Superintendent Dr. Luke Minor and clerk and budget committee co‑chair Morgan Doolian said the budget adds direct support positions intended to improve classroom outcomes. Doolian said the board approved 10 elementary tutors and 10 elementary behavior specialists and reinstated elementary band and orchestra in neighborhood schools, starting as early as fourth and fifth grade.

"I had educators calling me, and one in particular called me, and she was crying, and she was crying tears of joy," Doolian said when…