Anchorage School District
I balanced the Anchorage School District.
...But at what cost?
The Damage Report:
Balance the Books.
Break the System.
The Anchorage School District is facing a $90M structural deficit. Your job is to balance the budget by finding funding or making impossible, terrible choices.
The Revenue Machine
Extract more cash to plug the hole
Very unpopular. Enjoy the angry emails.
Hope they increase the Base Student Allocation.
The current Base Student Allocation (BSA) per student in Alaska is $6,660. This amount reflects a $700 permanent increase that went into effect for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Currently, there is no statutory increase to the BSA for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, meaning it remains at $6,660.
One-time cash. Ruins your credit rating.
Systemic Solutions
Big political moves, big money.
Broad-Based Tax Implementation
Implement Corporate Income Tax
Commercial Property Tax Reassessment
Max Out Local Property Tax Cap
Where the money goes
"The harsh reality that 87.2% of the budget is literally just people."
87% of the budget is people. If you don't find revenue, you must eliminate educators, support staff, and programs affecting the next generation.
The Chopping Block
District-level and Special Service reductions to make the player feel terrible.
Federal Special Education Mandates
Federally required services (IDEA). Cutting this results in immediate Department of Education lawsuits.
Utilities & Building Operations
Unless you want children learning in freezing darkness, you have to pay the heating bill.
Voter-Approved Debt Service
Bonds voted on by the public to build schools. You cannot default on municipal bonds.
Tenured Educator Contracts
Legally binding union contracts. Cutting base compensation invites a district-wide strike.
OVER $445M LEGALLY MANDATED SPEND
District-Wide Reductions
Broad cuts affecting entire operations.
Gut Information Technology (-16.63 Staff)
Reduce Teaching & Learning Dept (-10 Reading Interventionists, etc.)
Reduce Custodial Services (-10.13 Custodians)
Reduce Facility Maintenance
Reduce Human Resources Staff
Special Service Decimation
Targeting specific programs & vulnerable populations.
Decimate Gifted Education (-18 IGNITE Teachers)
Reduce Elementary Special Education (-10 Teachers, -2 Counselors)
Eliminate School Psychologists
Reduce Speech & Language Services
Reduce Deaf and Hard of Hearing Teachers
The Nuclear Options
The third-rail of local politics. Prepare for angry town halls.