MSHF announces $1.69M grant to sustain school nurses in Mat-Su School District

Facing a projected $22.5 million deficit, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District (MSBSD) recently proposed significant reductions to nursing staff. This proposal sparked widespread community backlash, as families voiced urgent concerns regarding the potential impact on student health and safety.

On Tuesday, Mat‑Su Health Foundation (MSHF) announced the approval of a landmark $1.69 million one‑time grant to the school district to sustain the district’s current nurse‑to‑school ratio for one year. The grant was approved during a special meeting of the MSHF Board of Directors on March 11, 2026, and will be brought before the school board for their approval on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

“This is a mission-aligned commitment to student health and educational success in the Mat‑Su,” said Esther Pitts, President and CEO of Mat‑Su Health Foundation. “When students have consistent access to health professionals during the school day, they are healthier, attend school more consistently, and are better able to learn. This grant fills a temporary but critical gap, ensuring our students have access to the care they need. At the end of the day, it’s about how we’re showing up for our youth.”

As the MSBSD grapples with the budget shortfall, this one-time investment ensures that students, this funding protects essential health services for students, with a special focus on the district’s 30 Title I schools. It secures the role of school health staff as pivotal supports for families and teachers, ensuring continuity of care while fostering a stable long-term funding plan.

“The Board feels strongly that protecting access to school health services is vital for student wellbeing and for our community as a whole,” said Lisa Wade, Chair of the MSHF Board of Directors. “We are grateful to be in a position to respond to an urgent need while reinforcing a core principle: philanthropic dollars should enhance, not replace, long-term public education funding.”

This one-time grant from the Foundation has only one ask: that the funds be used specifically for school nurses. The Foundation has also offered its support is assisting with system assessments and collaborative solutions to enhance care. Together, MSHF and MSBSD Superintendent Dr. Randy Trani are focused on developing long-term strategies to ensure students' health needs are met.

“The support from Mat‑Su Health Foundation means our students will continue receiving essential health services during a period of significant need,” said Dr. Trani. “While we navigate a number of funding challenges, this grant provides the district essential time to maintain student access to health services and reimagine a system that is sustainable well into the future.”

MSHF will continue working closely with MSBSD, state partners, and community stakeholders to support collaborative, long-term pathways for student health and wellness.