Alaska Families Sue to Save STEM School from Closure

Campbell STEM Preservation and Education Foundation files lawsuit against Anchorage School Board over planned shutdown of state's only STEM-accredited school.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 8:54am

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A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration of a microscope repeated in a grid pattern, representing the importance of STEM education in the community.The Campbell STEM school's unique STEM-focused curriculum is at the heart of a community's fight to keep their specialized educational program alive.Anchorage Today

A group of families in Anchorage, Alaska have filed a lawsuit against the Anchorage School Board and District in an effort to prevent the closure of the Campbell STEM school. The Campbell STEM Preservation and Education Foundation argues that the district's decision to close the school and transfer its STEM accreditation to another campus was arbitrary, lacked transparency, and violated the community's rights. The lawsuit highlights the complexities of educational policy-making as districts grapple with budget deficits.

Why it matters

The Campbell STEM program is the only STEM-accredited school in the state of Alaska, making its potential closure a significant loss for STEM education in the region. The lawsuit underscores the tension between financial constraints and the preservation of specialized educational programs that foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation among students.

The details

The Anchorage School District is facing a $90 million budget deficit, leading to a series of school closures and program cuts. The decision to close the Campbell STEM school and transfer its STEM accreditation to Klatt Elementary has raised concerns among families about the continuity of the program and the impact on students. The Campbell STEM Preservation and Education Foundation argues that the district's decision was arbitrary and capricious, and that the lack of transparency and public participation violated their rights.

  • The lawsuit was filed by the Campbell STEM Preservation and Education Foundation in April 2026.

The players

Campbell STEM Preservation and Education Foundation

A community organization representing families of students at the Campbell STEM school in Anchorage, Alaska, who are fighting to prevent the closure of the state's only STEM-accredited school.

Anchorage School Board

The governing body of the Anchorage School District, which has decided to close the Campbell STEM school due to budget constraints.

Anchorage School District

The public school district serving the city of Anchorage, Alaska, which is facing a $90 million budget deficit and has decided to close the Campbell STEM school.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let budget cuts jeopardize the future of STEM education in Alaska. The Campbell STEM program is a critical resource for our community and its closure would be a devastating loss.”

— Sarah Johnson, Parent and member of the Campbell STEM Preservation and Education Foundation

What’s next

The judge in the case is expected to rule on the lawsuit in the coming weeks, determining whether the Anchorage School District's decision to close the Campbell STEM school was lawful and whether the STEM accreditation can be transferred to Klatt Elementary.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the broader challenges facing public education, where districts must balance financial constraints with the preservation of specialized educational programs that are vital to the development of critical thinking and innovation among students. The outcome of this case will have significant implications for STEM education in Alaska and the role of community engagement in educational policy-making.