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Assembly continues budget hearing after residents warn school closures will harm vulnerable students
Summary
During a special April 28 meeting the Assembly opened a public hearing on Ordinance 26-026 (FY 2026-27 budget). Residents criticized borough and district planning on school closures and urged the Assembly to address state funding formula losses; the hearing was continued to April 30 for further review.
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly opened a public hearing on Ordinance 26-026 — the FY 2026-27 appropriation measure — on April 28 and heard extensive public comment urging changes to protect schools and clarify education funding. After testimony the Assembly voted to continue the hearing to April 30 for further deliberation.
"I really have a question for you. I want to know how it could have been handled any worse," public commenter Patty Fischer said, sharply criticizing borough and district communications and alleging the borough previously provided $14 million to American Charter while failing to plan for sustaining brick-and-mortar schools. "The sad part of this is that it is the children who suffer," she said.
Riley Laws, an educational and behavioral support specialist, told the Assembly that closing three schools is "not a budget solution. It's a community fracture," and described how closures disrupt meals, mental-health supports and stability for high-risk students, potentially lowering attendance and long-term graduation rates.
Jim Culver, who referenced prior service as an elected official, commended the staff budget but highlighted two concerns: ensuring borough-managed facilities (he cited Hatcher Pass chalet operations) are available to the public, and addressing what he described as a flawed state funding formula that has reduced overall education funding. "When you look at the overall education funding it went from 336 million overall to 226...the state claws back and says local has to contribute more," Culver said, urging the Assembly to press for state-level fixes.
Deputy mayor moved to continue the public hearing on Ordinance 26-026 to Thursday, April 30, 2026 in the Assembly chambers; the Assembly announced the special continuation date and invited additional materials and testimony. The hearing continuation leaves open whether the proposed levy rates, appropriations across operating, enterprise, education and capital funds, and the W/Enhanced-911 search charge will be amended before final adoption.
The Assembly did not make final budget decisions on April 28; members requested more detailed breakdowns, including transit ridership and funding information, before resuming the hearing on April 30. The continuation is expected to include additional staff presentations and requested documents.
