When a school closes: What's the real impact

School closures represent one of the hardest decisions any school district can face. These conversations affect families in our communities: our friends, our neighbors, our coworkers. Many people assume it will save lots of money and solve budget shortfalls, but the reality is much more complicated.

When a school building closes, the immediate savings aren't as large as you might think. The district may stop paying for some utilities at that building, but the need to protect from cold damage in our climate remains. However, the students don't disappear. They still need teachers, buses, books, and all the other things that come with education. In fact, those students often cost more to educate after their school closes because they need transportation to schools further away. Buses traveling longer distances burn more fuel and require more maintenance. Sometimes there is a need to buy additional buses to handle new routes.

Not to mention, those schools need an increase in staffing to handle the population: teachers, aides, custodians, and nutrition staff come to mind right away.

The building itself continues to cost money even when empty. Someone still needs to maintain the property, mow the lawn, and make sure the pipes don't freeze in winter. If the district tries to sell the building, it might discover that nobody wants to buy a school in a remote location. Even demolishing a building costs money. School districts typically save between ten and thirty percent of what they spent on operating that school, which often isn't enough to solve serious budget problems.

For families living in remote parts of the Mat-Su Borough, a school closure creates real challenges. When the nearest school is suddenly thirty or forty miles away, young children face long bus rides. This is especially tough during the winter. Some families choose to move, which can mean leaving jobs, churches, and the rural lifestyle they love.

Fortunately, families have options when their local school closes. The most common choice is attending another district school, even if it means a longer commute. The district may provide transportation, though those bus rides can stretch over an hour each way. Some families decide this works fine, while others find it exhausting for their children.

Homeschooling becomes another option many Mat-Su families consider. Alaska has strong support for homeschooling, and the Mat-Su School District offers several correspondence programs. These programs, often headquartered outside of the Mat-Su, provide curriculum materials and some funding for educational activities while letting parents teach at home. Local programs like the Mat-Su Central School and Twindly Bridge Charter School help families who choose this path.

Online education has grown significantly in recent years. Students can take classes through Alaska Digital Learning or other virtual schools approved by the district. This option works well for older students who are comfortable with computers and can work independently. Younger children usually need more hands-on help from parents.

Some families explore private, co-op, or charter schools, but remote areas offer limited options. Others temporarily move during the school year, with one parent staying in town with the children while the other remains at their rural home.

If you want to learn more about school closure decisions or educational options in the Mat-Su Borough, start by contacting the Mat-Su Borough School District office in Palmer. Their website at matsuk12.us provides information about all district programs. You can also attend school board meetings, which are open to the public and posted on their website. The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development website offers information about homeschooling and alternative education options throughout the state.

School closures affect entire communities, not just students. Understanding what really happens helps everyone make informed decisions about their children's education and their family's future. When you see discussions about closing schools, take part. Make sure you educate yourself about all the facts in the matter, and speak from a position of knowledge, not emotion. And if you do research through generative AI, make sure you double-check your homework before presenting in front of the school board.