Anchorage Daily Briefing: School Closures, Winter Weather, and Community Updates

Anchorage, AK — February 17, 2026 — Budget pressures, changing winter weather and shifting school plans are front and center for Anchorage today.

District weighs closing three elementary schools

The Anchorage School District is again considering closing Fire Lake, Lake Otis and Campbell STEM elementary schools as it works to close a budget gap of roughly $90 million for next school year.

District leaders say they are operating more buildings than current enrollment and funding can support, and estimate each closure could save close to $1 million annually. Under the draft plan, two of the buildings would be offered to charter programs, while one would be declared surplus.

Parents and staff will have a chance to weigh in at a school board meeting this evening, with a final budget vote expected later this month. The proposal comes on top of other cuts, including hundreds of positions and reductions to sports and activities.

High winds, heavy snow and colder air on the way

Forecasters are tracking a pair of strong winter systems that will affect much of Alaska this week. Western coastal communities are already under blizzard and winter storm alerts, with winds above 60 mph and near whiteout conditions in some areas.

For Anchorage and the rest of Southcentral, the immediate impact is colder, drier weather followed by light to moderate snow by midweek. Current outlooks call for a couple inches of accumulation in the city and valley areas, with temperatures dropping back below zero by the weekend.

Travelers heading west or into the Interior over the next few days are being urged to monitor forecasts closely, as snow totals and wind chills there are expected to be much more severe.

Longer-term budget strain across Anchorage schools

The push for school closures is part of a broader financial squeeze on the district. Recent updates from ASD highlight multi-year shortfalls driven by flat state funding, higher costs and declining enrollment.

Officials are also discussing a proposed school bond package focused on safety upgrades and major building repairs, as well as a possible local levy to help fill a portion of the gap. City and school leaders say choices made over the next few months will shape programs, staffing and facilities across Anchorage for years to come.

What’s next

Residents can follow tonight’s school board meeting and upcoming budget sessions online or in person, and submit testimony on school closure and consolidation plans. Those with travel or outdoor plans later this week should prepare for slick roads, low visibility in some regions and a sharp return to subzero temperatures.

Sources

• https://alaskapublic.org/news/education/2026-02-16/anchorage-school-district-considers-three-elementary-school-closures-as-part-of-addressing-budget-shortfall
• https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2026/02/17/first-alert-high-winds-heavy-snow/
• https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2026/02/16/blizzard-conditions-western-alaska-another-storm-sweeps-into-alaska/
• https://www.asdk12.org/all-news