Anchorage School District Superintendent Blames Plowing Failures for Week of Closed Schools
Anchorage School District Superintendent Jharrett Bryantt spoke out this week, placing the blame for a week of closed schools and transportation difficulties on the municipality and state’s failure to adequately clear neighborhood roads. In an interview, Bryantt expressed frustration with the mayor and emphasized that student safety was his top priority when making decisions about closures and remote learning.
The recent snowstorms in Anchorage resulted in nearly a week of school closures, causing frustration among parents and families. Bryantt cited a strategic failure in plowing by the state and city as the reason for the extended closure of schools, and also pointed out the difficulties faced by buses and the impassable access roads to some schools.
The mayor, in a news release, expressed disappointment at the continued closure of schools, but Bryantt claims that the conversations and information about the plowing arrangements from the city’s leadership team were different from what was portrayed in the news release.
Despite the challenges faced during this past week, Bryantt asserts that the safety of students is their primary concern and that they sought the help of the municipality to clear the roads in time for reopening, but the promised timeline was not met. Frustrations also arose from the remote learning days, with Bryantt acknowledging that it has been extended longer than expected and may continue to be a solution if road maintenance does not improve.
Bryantt also addressed the criticisms regarding his understanding of Alaska’s winter conditions, saying that decisions are based on expert advice and input from transportation professionals. With no set criteria for reopening schools, the district must consider various factors such as sidewalk conditions and the ability of students to attend school safely.
As leaders at the city and state level work to address the plowing issues, the school district is bracing for the potential for more remote learning days if the conditions do not improve, with Bryantt emphasizing that student safety will remain the top priority in making such decisions.