Anchorage school board hears hours of testimony, fails to rescind Campbell STEM closure amid legal, grant and bond disputes

The Anchorage School District (ASD) board on March 17 faced extended public outcry over its recent decision to close Campbell STEM Elementary, as dozens of parents, students, alumni and education leaders pressed the board to pause or reverse the action.

Superintendent Dr. Bryan (Dr. Bryant in testimony) told the board he was directed to prepare a school‑closure proposal on Feb. 9 and that the administration presented that proposal to the board on Feb. 13, which he said produced “a total notice period of 11 days.” He said 148 people signed up to give in‑person testimony and roughly 300 written comments were submitted during that period.

Community speakers described Campbell STEM as a specialized, high‑performing neighborhood program with substantial private and public support. “Campbell STEM is currently projected to receive $1.5 million grant,” said a parent speaker (Clara Ward), who described grants, partnerships and outdoor learning investments that community members say would be lost if the school closes. Other testifiers described a $40,000 grant used to build an outdoor learning center, grant‑funded STEM coordinator positions and long‑running partnerships with local organizations and industry that they said cannot be easily replicated elsewhere.

Several speakers also raised legal and process concerns. Multiple speakers cited Tunnley (the 1980 Alaska Supreme Court decision) and argued that families had insufficient time to prepare testimony and respond to the district’s timeline. “Our families were given zero business hours to register for public testimony,” Carmen Winger told the board, asking for a stay on the closure until a more thorough review could be completed.

Board members debated a procedural motion by Member Donley to reconsider the closure. After extended discussion about Robert’s Rules and whether reconsideration was procedurally in order, the board held a voice/roll‑call sequence on a motion to rescind the action. The motion failed on a 3–3 vote (Higgins, Hollowman and Donley voted yes; Bellamy, Lessons and President Jacobs voted no), leaving the original closure action intact for the time being.

Administration and board members acknowledged the political and fiscal context driving the right‑sizing discussion. Several board members said that uncertain state revenue and a district deficit had shaped a set of difficult choices, while others said the process used to select schools for closure did not give communities fair notice or adequate opportunity to respond.

The meeting produced two immediate, formal outcomes: the board approved a tentative contract with Teamsters Local 959 for bus drivers and attendants (unanimous vote) and postponed approval of a budget transfer to cover right‑sizing moving costs until the next regular meeting to allow the full board to consider details.

The board did not vote to reverse Campbell STEM’s closure. Members who support reconsideration said they would pursue further options and urged additional review of bond and grant language tied to the school; members opposing rescission emphasized the district’s broader fiscal constraints. The board indicated it may continue this discussion at a future meeting.

What happens next: The district’s plan to close Campbell STEM remains in effect. Board members said they would continue to receive and review community input; the postponed transfer and other right‑sizing logistics were slated for a future meeting when the full board can vote. The meeting closed without further action to reverse the closure.