Anchorage School District board adopts revised class-size policy, requests cost estimates

The Anchorage School District board on Saturday, June 13 adopted a revised class-size policy (ASD memorandum 178, BP611) by a 7–0 voice vote after amending language about administrative regulations and timelines for communicating cost estimates.

The board’s second-reading motion — made by Member McDonough and seconded by Member Blakesley, according to the record — approved the 'S' version of the policy with Lisonbee Amendment 1 and a subsequent amendment to that amendment requiring the superintendent to ensure stakeholders receive implementation information within one week after the board’s annual budget passage.

Why it matters: Board members framed the policy as both a compliance step with recent state action and a tool to preserve local control and prepare evidence-based requests for additional funding. A board member leading discussion said the legislature’s measures (originally pursued in HB165 and reflected in House Bill 57) set maximum class-size caps that the district must acknowledge while the policy keeps a separate evidence-based tier tied to educational research.

Board debate and changes: A board member explained that state guidance sets maximums (reported in discussion as 23 students pre-kindergarten through grade 6 and 30 students for grades 7–12) and that the S version should be corrected to cite House Bill 57 rather than HB165. Member Lisonbee proposed technical edits (correcting bill references, adding the word 'grade' before '12,' removing duplicated phrasing about '25 students,' and adding direction on administrative regulations). Lisonbee also proposed language that administrative regulations may, and board members later favored 'shall,' be developed to ensure the board and key stakeholders receive implementation information tied to the budget cycle.

On timing, members debated a range of deadlines: a 60-day window after budget adoption, a March 1 target to make information actionable for the legislature, and a proposal (ultimately adopted as part of the amendment process) to require the superintendent to provide stakeholder notification within one week following the board’s annual budget passage. The district administrator present said the office typically can supply estimates ahead of deadlines and expected the practical workload to be manageable.

Legal and strategic context: During discussion a board member referenced compliance with Alaska statute 14.03.065 (as cited in the meeting) and said the two-tier approach preserves the district’s ability to set evidence-based targets while acknowledging statutory maxima. Several members noted ongoing litigation and the district’s need to document cost estimates to support funding requests.

Vote and next steps: The board approved the amendment to the amendment by voice vote (recorded in the meeting as 7–0). The final motion to adopt the memorandum and BP611 as amended passed by voice vote, recorded 7–0. Members asked administration to produce the financial 'delta' — the cost to meet both the statutory maximums and the evidence-based targets — and to deliver stakeholder notification on the schedule described in the adopted amendment. The meeting adjourned at 9:54 a.m.

The text of BP611 as adopted will govern class-size targets for the district and directs administration to provide implementation information to the board, the legislature and stakeholders in the timeframe approved at the meeting.