Many Anchorage School District employees likely reinstated after budget revisions, union president says
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Following recent votes to reverse cuts in the Anchorage School District, staff could potentially remain in the positions they thought might no longer be available.
A letter from ASD Deputy Chief of Schools, Dr. Kersten Johnson-Struempler, and Senior Director of Talent Management, Peggy Rankin, sent to all certificated staff on Wednesday states the possibility of reinstating previously reduced positions or programs.
According to the letter, displaced staff should know the future of their positions by Thursday. A statement from the school district explains that the budget revisions eliminate the need for the May 15 layoff notices, which would have impacted roughly 80 positions in the district.
ASD’s communication team states their new budget allocates $39.8 million in anticipated revenue to “restore more than 200 teaching positions, prioritize instruction and student support, and preserve critical programs such as IGNITE, immersion, school libraries, elementary counseling, athletics, and summer learning.”
Calling the choice a “calculated but necessary risk” in presuming anticipated revenue will come to fruition, ASD is waiting for Governor Mike Dunleavy’s decision regarding a funding bill passed by the legislature. He has until May 19 to sign or veto the bill — or do nothing and allow it to become law.
Corey Aist, Anchorage Education Association President, has called the move a “win-win-win” for students, school communities, and educators.
“It’s really hard to get them back, there just aren’t any educators wanting to come to Alaska right now,” Aist said. “And we get to put back educators who have been displaced.”
Aist said the decision hasn’t been set in stone, obviously, Dunleavy’s decision could still sway what happens.
”We all are hoping that the governor will sign and support this legislation in the funding for public education," Aist said. “If he does not, then we are relying on the legislature to override any type of veto that may come so that we can move forward.”
In its letter, ASD outlined the timeline expected in the coming weeks, listed below:
- May 7: Principals and hiring managers receive revised staffing allocations.
- May 8: Principals submit updated displacement lists and open positions to Talent Management and notify displaced staff of their updated status.
- May 12: Talent Management will have all known vacancies posted.
- May 13: Talent Management will release the updated list of displaced staff to principals and hiring managers.
- May 15: Noon deadline for displaced AEA staff to update site preference
- May 19: District Staffing Event – Principals and hiring managers will meet in person to finalize placements. Remaining displaced staff will be notified of their new placement or ongoing status. After displacement obligations are addressed, we will also consider voluntary transfers within the bargaining unit, returning to the bargaining unit, returning from leave, and new hires.
See a spelling or grammar error? Report it to web@ktuu.com
Copyright 2025 KTUU. All rights reserved.
