By admin 
Alaska saw an unprecedented wave of school closures this year. District officials grappling with severe budget shortfalls have opted to close 12 elementary and middle schools across the state — in Anchorage, Wasilla, Sutton, Seward, Sterling, Soldotna, Kasilof and Ketchikan.
Read more Surging stock market, Trump policies boost wealth for top 1%
With those closures, hundreds of students and staff will bus or commute to new schools next year, class sizes will grow as grades are combined and districts across the state are cutting programs, teachers, health aides, custodians, sports, library services and extracurriculars like music.
Read more Alaska natural gas pipeline dreams stretch over half a century
Officials in four districts say the closures were incredibly complex and difficult decisions but necessary to combat millions in budget shortfalls and years of state funding not meeting districts’ surging costs to operate schools.
Read more Natural gas pipeline tax break lacks needed Senate votes, Alaska lawmakers say
- Three schools in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
- Two schools in the Ketchikan Gateway School District
- Four schools in the Kenai Peninsula School District
- Three schools in the Anchorage School District