Glacier View community rallies to support school in light of proposed cuts to staff

In Alaska, a rural school is one located in an area that is sparsely populated and often face accessibility challenges such as being isolated from road systems, or only have access by air or water, not by land. While many rural Alaska schools serve communities that are predominantly Indigenous, all rural schools face unique challenges with funding, accessibility, and resources, with enrollment ranging from a few to 150.

Glacier View School is one such school. Located at Milepost 104 on the Glenn Highway, Glacier View School (GVS) serves families from Chickaloon (MP 76) to Mendeltna (MP 143), providing education from Kindergarten through 12th grade.

During the April 16 meeting the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District (MSBSD) school board, which was held at GVS, students, staff, and community members packed the meeting to ask the school board and administration to reconsider planned cuts to the GVS, which would impact the small teaching staff, which has six teachers. The proposed cuts would leave only two teachers for the school, along with the principal, who also teaches.

“These cuts will do more than just jeopardize classroom support. They will jeopardize the very future of our school,” said Brian Wilbert. “By expecting two teachers to cover three programs-elementary, middle, and high schools-it’s not just unreasonable. It’s impossible.” He fears that the lost teaching positions and instruction they provide will instead by replaced by online or computer-based learning. He went on to say that as GVS is so far away from other schools, many families may turn to homeschooling their students.

Currently GVS has 26 students enrolled, with one expected to graduate this year, and the district projects a dramatic decline in enrollment next year.

“The real threat to our school enrollment is not natural attrition. It’s decisions like this one, which force families to leave because our kids cannot get the education they deserve.”

Current GVS student Avery Swirtz praised the teachers and staff and told the MSBSD that she was sad to hear that some teachers and staff may be cut. She feared that the librarian position would be vulnerable for elimination and that instead, the school would have to rely on volunteers. “We don’t know if anyone would be willing to take time out of their schedules to volunteer.” She also feared the cuts could bleed into other programs, including extra-curricular activities.

“These aren’t the only things less funding would affect either. There are numerous extra-curricular activities at GVS, one of which is the archery and rifle program. With less funding, we would not be able to maintain the archery and rifle equipment that we use. This will either result in injury, loss of the program, or both.”

Amber Allen, whose husband graduated GVS as his grandparents homesteaded in the area, and son is currently attending, tearfully asked the school board to reconsider, citing current state and standards required for each lesson taught.

“We are blessed to have all 13 grade levels here, providing a rich and unique experience for all our students. However the requirements for those programs vary greatly. Because of the staffing cuts, we will only have one teacher for K-6 program. The MSBSD standards for instruction are vast-reading, math, science, social studies, music, physical education, health, art, and technology literacy. There are 73 standards to be taught in third grade ELA alone.”

Allen also pointed out the time needed for just one grade level in math and reading, not to mention adding more time for incorporating the Alaska Reads Act and adjusting for students who may have fallen below grade level. “Our kids will not receive the time or instruction they need or deserve in these critical foundational subjects.”

For others, the fear is that if the staffing is cut, student enrollment will drop and the result could mean losing the school altogether.

“I have seen Glacier View go from highs to lows. Right now, we’re having a low, but it will not last,” said Gaila Rinke, the oldest graduate of GVS. She told board members that the community will fight like “scrappy dogs for their school.”

“I would not have graduated if I had been at a big school. I would not have graduated without the staff...two teachers cannot educate efficiently.” She said that the teachers the school currently has are spread thin but that the students continue to thrive and do “amazing things.”

MSBSD school board member Ole Larson said that he appreciated the large turnout for the meeting, and the cohesiveness demonstrated by the community in their support for the school, and that the comments were heard and will be considered for further action.

“Notes were taken and your comments will be taken into high consideration and I really appreciate your passion.”

Board member Tom Bergey said he understood the dynamic of being educated in a rural school as he himself had attended a K-8 school held in just two classrooms, and that the school eventually closed.

“I do understand the concerns. I understand the logistics. And I do understand the importance of a school closure.” He said that the community withered away after his school closed. “I understand your fears, I appreciate them, and we will do our best to see what we can do up here.”

No final decision has been made with regards to any staffing cuts.