Podcasts about Anchorage School District

Fairbanks saw heavy snowfall Monday as a predicted winter storm arrived in the Interior, expected to continue until Wednesday morning. Alaska House Judiciary Committee members heard testimony Monday from immigration advocates about ICE activity in Alaska, following the deportation of a Soldotna mother and two of her children last week. The Anchorage School District is reminding families that written public comments on proposed school closures, program changes and budget reductions must be submitted before midnight Monday ahead of a special school board meeting Tuesday.

On today's Morning Edition, Alaska's News Source spoke with Senator Dan Sullivan on Thursday ro discuss issues the state is facing. The Anchorage School District nurses are raising the alarm about a proposed nursing model for the district and parents are concerned for the health of their children. 

Send a textClara Baldwin is the assistant special education director for the Anchorage School District and she oversees the Alaska State School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She was born in northern California and moved to Anchorage 14 years ago. She has been a lifelong advocate for the rights of the deaf and hard of hearing community and has found her place leading that struggle here in Alaska. Clara is the 2026 Fur Rendezvous Queen -- the first deaf Fur Rondy Queen in state history.Leah McElwee is the Executive Interpreter for the Idaho Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ICDHH) and is the American Sign Language interpreter for Andrew during this interview. Brenna Kelly is the President of the Alaska Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf and the American Sign Language interpreter for Clara Baldwin during this interview. It is Brenna's voice that you hear in the recording. 

Today on the Morning Edition, the Anchorage School District is holding a special meeting to address the budget shortfall with a resolution aimed at gathering short-term savings to lessen the harsher impacts down the road. We'll fill you in on when that meeting may be. Later, if you or someone you know was affected by former-Typhoon Halong, the deadline to apply for FEMA aid is drawing near. We'll give you the details.

Send us a textWithout additional funding, the Anchorage School District is facing a $90 million shortfall for the 2026-2027 school year. The pupil-to-teacher ratio is expected to increase by 4. Multiple positions will be cut all over the district, from vice-principals to teachers, from counselors to nurses, from clerks to custodians. Many sports will also be completely eliminated, including swimming, tennis, volleyball, and hockey. Some schools may close.Here to discuss the funding crisis are ASD School Board President Carl Jacobs, Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School teacher Janice Strickland, and ASD Superintendent Dr. Jharrett Bryantt.To listen to Dr. Bryantt's previous podcast episode, click here.

Today on the Morning Edition, the Anchorage School Distirct is dealing with a budget deficit that's leading to difficult decisions on what to cut and where. We'll share what we learned from a conversation with the superintendent. Later, after weeks of negotiations, new contracts for Anchorage School District teachers are one step closer to becoming a reality, but steps still remain to make it happen.

On today's Morning Edition, the Anchorage School District is looking at drastic measures to address their budget shortfall, and primarily their proposals to cut the atheltic programs significantly. We'll hear how parents and students feel about the proposal. Plus, homeowners in the Fairbanks North Star Borough are beginning to receive their property tax assessments and are looking at likely increases to their rates. We'll share what it means for your property tax bill and how to appeal if you disagree.

A 67-year-old woman was found dead in a residence on the 700 block of North Park Street on Wednesday, the Anchorage Police Department says. The high-stakes manhunt for a “career criminal” linked to a half-million-dollar burglary has come to a quiet end in a Fairbanks residential neighborhood. The Anchorage School District is facing a $90 million deficit for fiscal year 2027, prompting officials to propose sweeping cuts that would eliminate more than 380 full-time positions and numerous programs, district officials announced Friday.

In this newscast: After more than a year of negotiations, the Anchorage School District and the local teachers' union have come to a tentative contract agreement; The Alaska Legislature is back in session; With the second regular session of the 34th Alaska Legislature underway, KTOO is checking in with members of Juneau's delegation to talk priorities and plans for the session.

On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines:About 70 Sitkans formed a whistle choir Saturday (1-17-26) in an act of ICE resistance. The Alaska Legislature is back in session. And after more than a year of negotiations, the Anchorage School District and the local teachers' union have reached a tentative contract agreement.Photo: Nearly 70 Sitkans formed a whistle choir at the roundabout on Saturday in an act of ICE resistance. (KCAW/McKenney)

On today's Morning Edition, an agreement may have been reached between the Anchorage School District and the Anchorage Education Association. We'll break down what the agreement could mean and bring to educators. Later, the Bernice Allridge Park in Fairbanks is known for its Juneteenth celebrations it holds, but this year will be a little different as it undergoes renovations. We'll find out what this means for celebrations this year.

The Anchorage School District and Anchorage Education Association say they've reached a tentative contract agreement. We detail few things it includes and what's next. Plus, after days of dangerous weather conditions, we check in on the roads in Anchorage. APD tells us how many crashes there were.

The Anchorage School District and Anchorage Education Association say they've reached a tentative contract agreement. We detail few things it includes and what's next. Plus, after days of dangerous weather conditions, we check in on the roads in Anchorage. APD tells us how many crashes there were.

The Anchorage School District said any additional emergency school closures this year will have to be made up, as officials monitor road conditions ahead of a possible cancellation Friday amid forecasted rain and high winds. he Municipality of Anchorage (MOA) street maintenance team is preparing for the potential of ice and rainfall to arrive to the city this week. A powerful winter storm that is moving towards Alyeska Resort is bringing dangerous conditions from Thursday through Saturday morning, necessitating the closure of the upper slopes of the mountain.

On today's Morning Edition, what the city and police say they're doing as safety concerns in downtown Anchorage are not going unnoticed by 100s of western Alaska evacuees. Later, what the Anchorage School District says it's doing to ease the transition as dozens of children from western Alaska are starting school in new classrooms this week.

Anchorage now has a central donation site to help victims of former Typhoon Halong, located at 1120 East 1st Avenue, in the former Chugach Electric warehouse. It is open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, seven days a week. The Anchorage School District welcomed over 100 displaced students into classrooms this week after they had been evacuated from their villages in the aftermath of the destructive storm that hit Western Alaska last week. Anchorage police are investigating a shooting that occurred inside a midtown Walmart on Monday afternoon that left one man dead.

There are reports of at least two business’ windows smashed early Sunday morning in Anchorage’s Spenard area. Two schools in the Anchorage School District will be recommended to close next year, according to the district superintendent. President Donald Trump on Monday ordered approval of a proposed 211-mile road through an Alaska wilderness to allow mining of copper, cobalt, gold and other minerals.

Today on the Morning Edition, the Anchorage School District stated they may be closing more schools as enrollment slides downwards. Plus, a look at the Walk A Mile In Her Shoes event at the Dimond Mall over the weekend, and how the event has continued to grow.

Send us a textABC/Fox Your Alaska Link's evening news anchor Trill Gates began her education as a broadcast journalist as a junior at Bartlett High in the late 1980s. While in high school, she did an internship at the Fox news station on Tudor Road where she still is today. Trill became famous in the early '90s as "Kiddie Fox" on the "Fox 4 Kids Club" TV show. We talk about that experience and how unlikely it would be for that type of broadcast to thrive today. When her four kids were young, Trill left TV news and went to work as an elementary school teacher and later as a school librarian in the Anchorage School District. In 2022, she returned to ABC/Fox to anchor the evening news. We talk about how TV news has evolved and where it's headed. We also discuss her recent trip to DC to interview Alaska's federal delegation in the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

High wind warnings are in effect in Southcentral Alaska as wind gusts have hit over 80 mph in some areas. Plus, the Anchorage School District is changing the protocol it uses to keep students safe in school.

On today's Morning Edition, why the FBI says the arrest of the owner and manager of the Chelsea Inn will have a big impact on the community. Plus, in the wake of the latest school shooting in Minneapolis, the Anchorage School District is making changes to its safety policies.

Today on the Morning Edition, the Anchorage School District and teachers' union are hoping to reach an agreement that will keep the district competitive and teachers happy. Later on, take a look at a Greek Orthodox church that has decades of work ready to be put on display.

In today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines:More than 700 participants, including leaders from the circumpolar North, are gathering this week at Arctic Encounter. Alaska's Senators have different ways to vet federal judges. And cell phones are now banned in Anchorage School District classrooms.Photo: Participants at Arctic Encounter

A prematurely born harbor seal pup was rescued earlier this month from a beach near Kenai, and in the Anchorage School District, a recently-introduced curriculum for young students learning to read is making a major impact.

On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines:U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski is emphasizing her support for Alaska's Ukrainian refugees. In the Anchorage School District, a recently-introduced curriculum for young students learning to read is working, but funding is in question. And Immigration officials detained an Anchorage man originally from Peru last week, according to his wife.Photo: U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski speaks with Tetyana Robbins in Delta Junction on May 29, 2025. (Shelby Herbert/KUAC)

Lawmakers head home after overriding the Governor’s veto on a major education funding bill. However, members from the Anchorage School District remain uneasy this morning. While the override of the veto moved things forward, the possibility of a line-item veto by the Governor still has some board members on edge. The board held its final meeting of the school year last night and is still waiting to learn how much money it will actually receive from the state.

Following recent votes to reverse cuts in Anchorage School District, staff could potentially remain in the positions they thought might get laid off — but in Fairbanks, a boost in per-student funding statewide may not translate to overcoming that district's budget deficit. Plus, Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance introduces an ordinance that could expand criminal charges for a larger range of negligent burning within the municipality, and a bill to change how certain digital corporations are taxed in Alaska is headed to the governor's desk.

A key education bill is moving forward in Juneau with a vote expected today. Plus, a choir teacher at Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School is retiring at the end of this school year, leaving the future of the choir program at East uncertain due to the Anchorage School District’s massive budget deficit that has forced the displacement of hundreds of teachers and staff.

The Anchorage School District sent out a staff displacement letter Friday explaining that given the state’s budget cuts for next fiscal year, as well as the lack of funding bills being passed, principals and supervisors are beginning to notify staff Monday who will be displaced. Plus, budget cuts and vacancies remain at the top of the Anchorage School Board’s concerns as four candidates continue to campaign for two open board seats just one day before the election.  

It's election day in Anchorage - learn which Assembly seats and issues will be on the municipal ballot. Plus, the Anchorage School District is warning staff about possible layoffs by the start of next school year.

The Anchorage School District activated its Emergency Operations Center plan on Friday, preparing for the potential eruption of Mount Spurr. Plus, the City of Ketchikan is recovering from a rock slide Thursday morning that left hundreds of people displaced — no injuries or structural damage was reported, but the slide hit a road that connected the north and south areas of the island.    

Anchorage School District families and staff are reacting after the district passed sweeping cuts for next year's budget, ones that will cost meaningful jobs, activities and programs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After sweeping budget cuts within the Anchorage School District were approved Tuesday night, many within the ASD community facing the possible reality of seeing their jobs, programs, or activities cut. Plus, UA Board of Regents passes a motion to remove DEI references from titles, websites and printed materials.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tourism in Alaska is a significant pillar of the state’s economy according to the Alaska Travel Industry Association. Plus, the Anchorage School District is recommending that Rilke Schule German Immersion School move into Lake Hood Elementary next school year and that Highland Academy Charter School move to the building that Nunaka Valley Elementary students currently occupy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this newscast: Lawmakers are working to hammer out a compromise on an education bill that could avoid the governor's veto; FBI agents in Anchorage participated in a nationwide immigration crackdown under President Trump last weekend, but local groups, including the Anchorage School District, are pushing back; More than 100 Juneau residents took to the sidewalk across the street from the Alaska State Capitol this afternoon to join a nationwide protest against President Donald Trump's administration and its recent executive orders; Tongass Voices: Tamara Wilson on her museum installation and the slinkies that live there

The Anchorage School District is trying to close a $100 million budget gap. Reporter Joe Allgood sat down with Anchorage School District Superintendent Dr. Jharrett Bryantt to discuss that topic and others. Here is the extended version of that conversation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many Alaska school districts are grappling with outsized budget deficits, and the Anchorage School District is no exception. Hear ASD Superintendent Jharrett Bryantt's plea to state leaders for assistance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Anchorage School District has proposed making widespread budget cuts, including reductions in staffing and extracurricular activities. Listen to the latest.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to officials, the Mat-Su Borough School District is ditching remote learning, while the Anchorage School District is considering the same move. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines: Delta Junction schools briefly locked down Friday afternoon in response to a threat of gun violence that was later determined to be unfounded. Alaska isn't a swing state in the Presidential election. But the U.S. House race here could help decide who controls Congress. And Alaska's election results will take some time to come in following Election Day. Photo: Volunteers at Anchorage School District hand out ballots to voters during Alaska's primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (Matt Faubion/Alaska Public Media)

The Anchorage School District rolls out Academic Academies which hold great potential. Tony Soprano stops by to give us our thoughts on air travel today. 

In this episode, Dr. Ashley Doss, the Critical Response and Wellness Coordinator for the Anchorage School District in Alaska, shares her extensive experience in crisis response, threat assessments, and leadership in education. She discusses her journey in the field, her role as the president of the Alaska School Psychologists Association, and strategies for managing responsibilities, setting boundaries, and combating imposter syndrome. Dr. Doss emphasizes the importance of organization, time management, and team delegation. Tune in for insights on balancing professional duties and personal well-being while making impactful changes in the educational setting. Resources: Alaska School Psychologists Association: http://www.akschoolpsych.org/ JOIN SUMMER BOOT CAMP TODAY! Interested in Joining Summer Boot Camp? Register Today: ⁠https://jennyponzuric.com/summerbootcamp2024/⁠ Not sure and want to try out a 2-week Free Trial Inside Our Prepared School Psych Community Click Here and use Code Podcast at check out: ⁠https://jennyponzuric.activehosted.com/f/159⁠ ---------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe now and join our community of dedicated School Psychologists committed to creating inclusive, supportive, and empowering school environments for every child. Let's embark on this journey of professional growth and student-centered advocacy together! Follow us on social media for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more: Instagram: @jennyponzuric

Joel Penton knows what it means to tackle things.As a former defensive end for THE Ohio State University Buckeye football team, he has plenty experience identifying a target and wrapping it up.For now though, he's tackling much bigger issues.Joel is the CEO of LifeWise Academy, a religious education program that provides Bible studies to public school students DURING SCHOOL HOURS.And this ministry is literally exploding all across the country ! CLICK HERE to join the effort in the Anchorage School District that is already in the planning stages.A U.S. Supreme Court opinion has long ago clarified the legality of such programs as long as they are 1) off school property 2) privately funded and 3) opted in by parents.  Alaska Family Council is working closely with LifeWise Academy to bring this exemplary program to every school district in the Great Land.Their proven record of significant improvements in the areas of character education, mental health, academic outcomes and community involvement has created massive interest from schools and families.We're excited to ride the wave and I'm thrilled to shoot the breeze with a fellow Buckeye :-)I hope you can tune in.Support the Show.

Joel Penton knows what it means to tackle things.As a former defensive end for THE Ohio State University Buckeye football team, he has plenty experience identifying a target and wrapping it up.For now though, he's tackling much bigger issues.Joel is the CEO of LifeWise Academy, a religious education program that provides Bible studies to public school students DURING SCHOOL HOURS.And this ministry is literally exploding all across the country ! CLICK HERE to join the effort in the Anchorage School District that is already in the planning stages.A U.S. Supreme Court opinion has long ago clarified the legality of such programs as long as they are 1) off school property 2) privately funded and 3) opted in by parents.  Alaska Family Council is working closely with LifeWise Academy to bring this exemplary program to every school district in the Great Land.Their proven record of significant improvements in the areas of character education, mental health, academic outcomes and community involvement has created massive interest from schools and families.We're excited to ride the wave and I'm thrilled to shoot the breeze with a fellow Buckeye :-)I hope you can tune in.Support the Show.

In this newscast: Weaver Lily Hope and her collaborators will debut a collection of child-sized Ravenstail robes. Adelyn Baxter visits Juneau’s recycling center for the latest installment of Curious Juneau. The Anchorage School District looks to close schools in response to declining student populations.

Aaron Poe has been a wildlife biologist in Alaska since 1998. He is the father of a trans daughter in the Anchorage School District, and today we discuss that experience.This episode is the first in a series on trans rights. The inspiration for these interviews is three bills currently moving through the Alaska State House: HB 183 which bans trans girls from playing girls sports; HB 105 which requires kids to get signed permission slips approving their preferred name and pronouns; and HB 338 which allows doctors to be sued up to 20 years after performing gender affirming procedures on trans youth.Alaska has many big problems. The pressing need to increase the funding of our public school system and finding a solution for an imminent energy crisis, for example. But instead of working on these very real, very substantial problems, we are spending the last weeks of session debating whether trans youth exist and have rights. They do exist; they do have rights; and over the next few days we will be hearing from them and their families.Aaron Poe recommends the following Ted Talk, "What it means to be intersex," by Susannah Temko. Click here to watch.

The Alaska House passed a wide-ranging, bipartisan education bill late Thursday night, federal education officials say Alaska owes millions in state funding to Juneau, Kenai and North Slope schools, city leaders say residents aren't applying for grants to promote the construction of mother-in-law apartments and the Anchorage School District reversed course Tuesday night, opting to keep elementary art classes that were slated to be cut in order to balance the budget. 

Ben Walker is a 7th grade science teacher at Romig Middle School, and he was also Alaska's teacher of the year in 2018. Ben is on the show today because, after listening to some of East Anchorage Book Club's previous podcast episodes discussing the Alaska education system, he felt an important perspective was missing. He wanted to share what it's like inside the classroom for teachers in the Anchorage School District right now.Link to Anchorage School's District Academy Model

Dr. Jharrett Bryantt is the superintendent of the Anchorage School District (ASD). He grew up in San Antonio and then went to college on the East Coast. He returned to Texas for his first teaching job at a charter school in Houston where he taught math as part of Teach for America which is a national program that supports college graduates to become teachers in our neediest schools through an alternative teacher certification process. Alaska does not qualify for Teach for America because we do not allow for alternative teacher certification. Two years later Jharrett left the classroom to begin his quick ascension up the administrative ladder of the Houston Independent School District. While working for HISD, he earned his doctoral degree in education policy and leadership from the University of Texas at Austin. In 2019, Dr. Bryantt was named one of Forbes' magazines 30 under 30 for education based on his work to get more low income students into college. He began as ASD's superintendent in Summer 2022. 

Today, we welcome Elizabeth Congdon-McGee, the 2021 Alaska School Counselor of the Year and a professional school counselor for the Anchorage School District. Elizabeth talks about how she and the principal of her school have collaborated, and how investing in relationships and using data has made a difference in their work. She also provides insight into how school counselors can advocate for their work by intentionally sharing their story with different groups in the community. Elizabeth also offers advice on how to get more involved on a local and state level. Elizabeth Congdon-McGee was the 2021 Alaska School Counselor of the year. Elizabeth Congdon-McGee is a professional school counselor for the Anchorage School District with over 20 years of experience in education and counseling. Mrs. McGee began her career as a clinical therapist working with young children and at-risk youth, as well as a classroom teacher. Currently, she is a professional school counselor at Whaley K-12 School. She has presented at many statewide conferences and participated in many workgroups to enhance the profession and increase awareness of the role of a school counselor. She has recently moved her presentations to outside of Alaska-NWPBIS Conference and Washington School Counselor Conference. She will be presenting at the Nevada School Counselor Conference in March 2023. Elizabeth has enjoyed being the President of the Alaska School Counselor Association (AkSCA) from 2015-2016, Chair of AkSCA Membership Committee 2015-2021 and currently chairs the AkSCA Advocacy and Public Policy Committee-2015--present a NEA-AK Delegate for many years, and the Anchorage Education Association school counselor committee chair.