Anchorage Voters Reject School Bond and Education Tax Levy

Tight races for Anchorage Assembly and School Board seats continue to unfold

Apr. 11, 2026 at 1:34am

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A serene, cinematic painting depicting a lone school bus or classroom object, such as a chalkboard or desk, bathed in warm, golden light and deep shadows, conveying a sense of contemplation and nostalgia around the ongoing debate over education funding in Anchorage.The rejection of school funding measures in Anchorage reflects ongoing tensions over education priorities in the city.Anchorage Today

Initial returns show Anchorage voters narrowly rejecting a $79 million school bond and a $12 million education tax levy in the April municipal election. The school-related measures are trailing, while other capital bond measures appear to have voter approval. Voter turnout is trending higher than usual, with 62,703 ballots tallied as of Friday, representing nearly 26.6% of the city's registered voters.

Why it matters

The rejection of the school bond and tax levy measures reflects ongoing tensions in Anchorage over education funding and priorities. The results could have significant implications for the Anchorage School District's ability to maintain small class sizes and retain teachers. The tight Assembly and School Board races also signal a shift in the political landscape in Anchorage.

The details

Proposition 1, a $79 million bond for capital repairs and improvements at local schools, had 49.9% of voters rejecting the bond, while 48.7% were in favor. Similarly, the one-time $12 million tax levy, Proposition 9, is narrowly failing with 49.8% of votes against the measure and 48.9% in favor. The funds from the tax levy were intended to allow the municipality to fund the Anchorage School District to its maximum allowed by state law, with the goal of retaining teachers and maintaining small class sizes.

  • As of Friday, April 11, 2026, election officials have tallied 62,703 ballots, representing nearly 26.6% of the city's roughly 235,400 registered voters.
  • The Anchorage Assembly is scheduled to certify election results on April 28, 2026.

The players

Jane Moe Newby

An election official who carried a tray of ballot envelopes from a secure area in the MOA election center to be processed on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

Suzanne LaFrance

The current Mayor of Anchorage, whose administration's goals are often aligned with a 9-3 split in the Anchorage Assembly.

Janice Park

A paralegal endorsed by former Assembly member Felix Rivera, who has received donor contributions from current and former Democratic lawmakers and current members of the Assembly.

Dave Donley

A school board member terming out and a former state lawmaker who was backed by prominent conservative donors and endorsed by the Alaska Republican Party.

Rachel Blakeslee

A candidate for Anchorage School Board Seat C, leading with 53.7% of the vote over challenger Alexander Rosales.

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What they’re saying

“Election officials have tallied 62,703 ballots as of Friday, which represented nearly 26.6% of the city's roughly 235,400 registered voters.”

— Jane Moe Newby, Election official

What’s next

The Anchorage Assembly is scheduled to certify election results on April 28, 2026.

The takeaway

The rejection of the school bond and tax levy measures, along with the tight races for Anchorage Assembly and School Board seats, suggest a shift in the political landscape in Anchorage. The results could have significant implications for the Anchorage School District's ability to maintain small class sizes and retain teachers, as well as the broader direction of the city's governance.