Meadow Lakes Elementary Closure Concerns
Contributed by Patricia Fisher
The Mat-Su Borough School District announced this week the possible closure of three schools: ML Elementary (MLE), Larson, and Glacier View. As a resident of Meadow Lakes, I am very concerned about this possible closure. According to the School District, the closure is based on the decline in enrollment at MLE. The enrollment data does not support that statement.
Here are the statistics for the past five years, provided by the school, based on Oct. 1 enrollment data: 2020–2021: 289 (no change); 2021–2022: 294 (up 5 students); 2022–2023: 297 (up 3 students); 2023–2024: 286 (down 11 students); 2024–2025: 308 (up 22 students); 2025–2026: 317 (up 9 students).
Quick takeaways: five-year net change +28 students (289 → 317); biggest dip 2023–2024 (−11); biggest jump 2024–2025 (+22). Statistics do not show a decline and certainly do not give a complete picture of the impact that ML Elementary has on our community. It has been a local center and gathering place in our community for decades. Being a rural community without many facilities, MLE has served as a school, meeting place, recreation venue, and garden hub for the Meadow Lakes area. The loss of this facility will be a very hurtful blow to the community.
Combined with this loss, it does not appear that closing these schools will have any major impact on the budget shortfall. There will be additional busing and classroom expenses to accommodate students who must be moved to other schools. In addition to the probable limited impact of the closure on the shortfall, the closure will have a number of negative impacts on parents and on the district. Consider a couple of facts. Meadow Lakes Elementary ranks second in poverty in the Borough, and the school ranks first in the number of students with disabilities. Those facts could place a severe burden on parents and on the district, having to deal with students being bused to Big Lake, Tanaina, or Goose Bay/Knik. I would suggest that the district look at elimination of some of the administrative staff before they close these schools.
If you feel strongly about this closure, I suggest that you attend the School Board meeting on Wednesday, March 4 and speak on the issue. Emails can be sent to the School Board randy.trani@matsuk12.us and Borough Assembly lonnie.mckechnie@matsugov.us.