Anchorage Prop. 1: School District asks voters to approve $63 million bond for security & safety upgrades

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The Anchorage School District outlined why they want municipality voters to approve a $63,822,000 security and safety upgrade bond package on the April ballot, known as Proposition 1, during the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce’s “Make It Monday” forum.

If passed, property taxpayers would have $12.90 added to each $100,000 of assessed value to pay for upgrades at 40 schools and two support buildings.

ASD Chief Operating Officer James Anderson told members projects would include security systems, building entry improvements, infrastructure renovations and replacement, as well as upgrades to snow removal equipment.

Many of ASD’s schools were built in the 1960s and 1970s and now require funds beyond what’s allotted within the maintenance budget.

While Anderson acknowledged some people’s opposition to property taxes paying for the projects, he maintained there was no other funding. He said the state stopped paying for capital projects in 2015, after paying as much as 60% to 70% in prior decades.

“We need to maintain our facilities again, protect the staff and students, protect the facility and itself, and of course to provide the best educational outcomes we can for our students. And bonding is the one and only possibility to be able to raise those funds,” Anderson said.

Historically, bond propositions have been unpopular with Anchorage voters. In 2022, a bond proposal failed by a slim margin. The $111 million bond included a $31 million rebuild of Inlet View Elementary School, which had been considered controversial at the time.

A similar proposition for school improvements was approved last year and saw an increase in property tax levy of $12.69 per $100,000. This year’s increased number of $12.90 would retire the proposed debt of $63.8 million.

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