Overcrowded schools can't afford portables

JOEL DAVIDSON/Frontiersman reporter

MAT-SU - Hundreds upon hundreds of additional students continue crowding into Mat-Su schools every year. On average, the district gains roughly 500 students per year, with next year's projected increase closer to 600 - that's enough new students to fill a brand-new middle school.

Overcrowding is an issue that won't go away.

Several core-area schools currently operate with far more students than the buildings are designed for.

Larson Elementary School leads the way. Designed to hold 488 students, Larson is the largest elementary school in the district. Next year, however, an expected 688 students will use the building, pushing it to 200 students over its capacity.

The short-term solution has been to add additional portables to overcrowded schools. The district now has 52 portables, each one costing roughly $70,000 to construct. Kim Floyd, information specialist for the Mat-Su Borough School District, said another 28 portables will be needed by next year.

This summer, the district plans to build five portables through the construction trades program. That still leaves 23 portables financially unaccounted for.

Last month, Chief School Administrator Robert Doyle asked the Mat-Su Borough to provide $1.4 million for 20 portables, which would have pushed the number of new portable constructions to 25.

Doyle's request was denied. In a letter dated Dec. 29, Borough Manager John Duffy cited lack of funds and said the borough would request assistance from the state. This puts the school district in a difficult position.

"If we don't add portables, then we will have to increase class sizes," Floyd said.

The district might also consider double shifting or extending the school year, to use the school buildings for longer into the year. Both of those options would require additional funding. That leaves boundary changes as the most financially viable option.

"Boundary changes are a no-cost option that would use existing class space in schools that have extra room," Floyd said. "It's logical to balance enrollment between existing facilities before trying the other options."

While financially feasible, Floyd cautioned that boundary changes pose emotionally charged challenges. Students and parents feel a sense of school loyalty and asking them to switch schools is not easy.

"People are connected to their schools and boundary changes are not something we go into lightly," Floyd said. "People feel strong about neighborhood schools and that's a good thing. I'd be more concerned if people didn't care."

Even if boundary changes were approved, that would only eliminate the need for six portables. Funding for 17 portables would still be necessary to keep from increasing current class sizes, and keeping class sizes small is a priority.

"We are attempting to keep them small, especially in the early years when you're learning to read," Floyd said. "That allows for more one-on-one learning time."

While boundary changes and portables may help elevate immediate problems, they are not the long-term solution. Ultimately, additional schools must be built. The district hopes this will be accomplished through the approval of school bonds, which they hope to have on the 2005 ballot.

One new school is slated to open in Wasilla in 2006, but by then the need will be far greater than what one school can fill. The district is asking the school board to approve three additional schools for Palmer, Trunk Road and Settlers Bay.

In the meantime, proposed boundary changes for next year are currently listed on the Mat-Su Borough School District's Web site, www.matsuk12.us. A public hearing will take place Jan. 19 during the regular school board meeting at Palmer High School, starting at 6 p.m.

People may also contact their school board members via e-mail or phone. Board member contacts are listed on the school district's Web site.

"This is not a fun process, but we feel it is necessary," Floyd said.

Contact Joel Davidson at joel.davidson@frontiersman.com.