It’s time for Page Two: News that might not make the front page for Friday March 20, 2026.
The school board amended next year’s budget at their meeting on Wednesday. The budget now includes an additional $6.3 million in funding from the borough.
These funds are in addition to the $3.2 million already assumed in the budget. In all, the district is now asking the borough for roughly $9.5 million from the borough. The board members acknowledge that this money is not guaranteed.
The amendment came after hours of emotional public testimony over the proposed closures of Larson and Meadow Lakes elementary schools.
Students, parents, and staff spoke about their connection to their neighborhood schools. It’s not just academics. It’s the teachers, the programs, and the sense of community that would be lost.
Many also expressed frustration with the district’s decision-making process. They questioned the data used to justify closures and whether their concerns were being heard.
Larson Elementary parent Fred Merrill told the board, “You’re not closing schools, you’re closing trust.”
Board members debated how to respond following the testimony.
Board member Brooks Pitcher sees the added increase as a way to communicate the district’s financial reality to the borough. He described two options.
One is a budget that reflects what the district truly needs.
The other shows what cuts would look like without additional support from the borough.
Board member Ole Larson said the requested increase reflects years of declining state support for education.
He argued the borough should help make up that difference. He said the district has lost revenue over the past four years as state contributions have fallen short.
The relationship between state and local funding of schools is complex. Alaska’s school funding system ties state support to local contributions.
The state determines how much a district needs to operate. It subtracts a required local contribution based on property taxes.
This means when local governments contribute more up to that required level, the state contributes less.
However, communities can choose to provide funding beyond the requirement up to a legal cap. That extra funding does not reduce state funding. The Mat-Su Borough does not contribute to up to the cap.
There is no guarantee the borough will approve the district’s request.
Board President Kathy McCollum shared that uncertainty after the board voted four to three to amend the budget.
She told the audience the borough could choose to increase their contribution. It could also decide to reduce it.
And if the local contribution increases, she said, that could lead to higher property taxes.
District officials note that the amendment complicates a tight timeline.
By law, the school district must submit its budget by the end of March.
However, the final approval of the borough budget usually comes in May.
Deputy Superintendent Katie Gardner said, “So we will still be moving forward for implementation of school closures in case the borough doesn’t follow through with this request.”
The closures would not lead to overcrowding. Schools across the district are operating at about seventy-one percent capacity.
McCollum noted that the remaining schools could absorb additional students without adding portable classrooms.
The school board encourages community members to stay involved as the process continues.
A joint meeting between the school board and the borough assembly is next Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the district’s central office.
That meeting could help determine whether the district gets the requested funding or whether school closures move forward.
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This Page Two article was written by Emily Forstner and read by Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.
That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Friday March 20, 2026.