The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District is seeking feedback regarding its plans to change school boundary areas for the 2025-2026 school year.
“With the recent decision to close three schools, the [district] must update its school attendance areas to reflect these changes,” Superintendent Luke Meinert said in a letter to families and staff.
The FNSBSD Board of Education voted on Feb. 4 to close Midnight Sun, Two Rivers and Pearl Creek schools. Although groups at Pearl Creek and Two Rivers are actively working to become charter schools by the beginning of next school year, the future of those two schools remains uncertain.
The district is considering two redistricting proposals. The “minimal impact” option would affect 566 students at the schools the board voted to close. The “balanced approach” option would impact nearly 1,000 students at Anne Wien, Arctic Light, Denali, Hunter, Ladd, North Pole Elementary, Randy Smith, Ryan, Ticasuk Brown, University Park, Weller and Woodriver schools.
In the letter, Meinert said the latter approach would allow for all students at all but one elementary school to feed into the same middle and high school system — meaning most students would attend the same schools as their classmates each year.
A survey is open until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, March 9 for students, staff, parents and community members to share which option they prefer.
The survey also asks respondents to rank factors the district is considering in its redistricting plans, such as maintaining steady enrollment numbers, limiting the number of affected students and transportation impacts.
“Your feedback is essential in helping us make the best decision for our students, staff, and school communities,” Meinert said.
Contact Carter DeJong at 907-459-7545 or cdejong@newsminer.com.
