Anchorage board adopts FY27 preliminary budget, restores nurses and sports using one‑time reallocations and levy guidance

The Anchorage School Board on Feb. 24 adopted the preliminary FY27 budget (ASD Memorandum 131) by a 5–2 vote after approving several floor amendments that restored nurse positions, middle‑ and high‑school sports, and some middle‑school teacher FTE using one‑time savings and reallocated funds.

Superintendent Dr. Bryant framed the budget discussion around a structural shortfall: “As it stands, ASD faces a $90 million structural deficit going into next fiscal year,” he said, and urged the board that structural changes will be required even if short‑term measures are possible. CFO Andy Riff summarized revenue pressures, enrollment declines and the timing constraint that requires the district to submit an upper‑limit spending authority to the municipal assembly by the first Monday in March.

The board unanimously approved a finance‑committee amendment clarifying that if voters approve a proposed April levy (Proposition 9), the administration should use levy proceeds to limit the FY27 pupil‑teacher‑ratio increase (for example restoring 80 K‑12 classroom teacher positions and 3.44 kindergarten paraprofessional positions as described in the finance committee language). That amendment passed on a unanimous voice vote.

Board members then debated and adopted several amendments to restore programs using one‑time savings: a Lessons amendment restored funding to reinstate middle and some high‑school sports at a redesigned cost model (~$3.16M), restored 16 middle‑school teacher FTE (about $2.2M) and added 6.5 nurse FTE. That package passed after the board approved related technical amendments; the membership also agreed to redirect specified capital or program dollars and delay some non‑essential expenditures to fund these restorations.

Member Lessons summarized the rationale for restoring athletics and nurses as both educational and equity matters, noting community input and the role of sports and school nurses in student well‑being. Several board members asked for greater clarity about which restorations were onetime and which—if any—are sustainable without new recurring revenue; the board acknowledged that many restorations rely on one‑time reallocations and the outcome of the April levy.

What the votes mean: The board adopted Memorandum 131 (preliminary budget) as amended by a 5–2 vote. The administration was directed to implement the board’s guidance on levy use if voters approve Proposition 9 and to apply the adopted onetime reallocations to restore the specified nurse positions, athletics, and middle‑school FTE. The board emphasized the restorations are largely contingent on one‑time sources and the broader FY27 fiscal picture remains precarious.

Key votes and actions: Finance‑committee amendment (levy guidance) adopted unanimously. Lessons amendment(s) restoring nurse FTE and athletics adopted with majority support; final adoption of Memorandum 131 passed 5–2. Administration will return with allocation details and implementation plans.

Context: The FY27 deliberations followed earlier right‑sizing debate (Memorandum 137) and the mayor’s announcement of a special levy for the April ballot. Board members repeatedly said that while community priorities (nursing, sports, classroom staffing) are important, long‑term stability requires either significant new recurring revenue from the state or sustained local revenue increases.