Additional Coverage:
- Parents fear ASD budget cuts will close immersion program (alaskasnewssource.com)
Anchorage School District’s proposed budget cuts have parents worried about the future of immersion programs. The district is facing a $100 million deficit.
Nearly 3,000 students are currently enrolled in immersion programs, learning languages like Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Spanish, German, Yu’pik, and French.
Parent Holly Brooks, whose children are in the French immersion program at O’Malley Elementary, is fighting to save the program. She believes her children have greatly benefited from the experience.
Brooks worries that budget cuts resulting in teacher layoffs will not only eliminate immersion but also impact the entire school. She fears declining enrollment and eventual school closure if the program is cut.
School Board President Andy Holleman acknowledges the value of immersion programs. He says the board is trying to preserve them, but the scale of the potential cuts might force them to scale back.
Holleman expressed optimism about receiving additional legislative funding but noted uncertainty around the amount and whether it would be recurring or a one-time allocation. He emphasized the board’s obligation to submit a balanced budget to the Assembly in early March.
Brooks pointed out the difficulty of waiting until summer for funding confirmation. Immersion programs often hire teachers from overseas, requiring visas that need to be secured in advance.
She suggested prioritizing immersion programs now and addressing other budget items later if additional funding arrives.
Holleman countered that the budget cannot be based on hypothetical funding. He described the current proposed cuts as a “worst-case scenario,” but acknowledged the possibility of them becoming reality. He warned of significant impacts on schools offering both immersion and traditional neighborhood programs.
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- Parents fear ASD budget cuts will close immersion program (alaskasnewssource.com)