Fairbanks board rejects Pearl Creek charter application for fourth time

The Fairbanks North Star Borough School Board voted unanimously on Tuesday night to reject the fourth application for the Pearl Creek STEAM Charter School. The board declined to approve the proposal for the 2027-28 school year, ending the latest attempt by the Academic Policy Committee to establish the institution.

Board President Morgan Dulian stated that the committee’s concern was the sheer scale of the proposed school. The submitted budget plans for 352 students, while the physical building has the capacity to house more than 460. Dulian noted that the presentations did not clarify whether 352 was a fixed limit or if enrollment could expand to the building's full capacity. She reported that the committee used the term "soft cap" during previous work sessions.

Dulian emphasized that most existing charter schools in the district operate with approximately 200 students. She argued that adding a school of this magnitude would strain the district's current staffing shortages. The district has faced financial pressures since 2011, resulting in larger class sizes, reduced program services, and cuts to transportation routes and school facilities.

The board also reviewed a five-year lease agreement for the school's facility, supported by a Fairbanks Assembly ordinance. Several board members expressed concern about the limited duration of the lease, although Dulian noted this was not a universal view among the members. The denial does not reject the proposed curriculum, which blends Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math with Indigenous culture education.

Dulian clarified that the decision is not a rejection of Alaska Native and Indigenous learning models. She stated that the district aims to improve services for its students, with about 20% to 25% of the district's enrollment identifying as Alaska Native. The district already maintains a relationship with the Fairbanks Native Association through the Effie Kokrine Charter School, which integrates elder knowledge and community-based learning.

Sharon McConnell, chair of the Fairbanks Native Association’s board of directors, spoke in favor of the application during public comment. McConnell, who served on the school board for nearly nine years, said the association has supported the Effie Kokrine Charter School since its inception 21 years ago. She stated that the association had not received any financial justification for the district's opposition to the new charter.

April Monroe, a parent supporting the Pearl Creek application, said the decision was expected. She noted that the fourth application contained no major changes beyond some rearrangements. Monroe pointed out that test score gaps are largest for Alaska Native students, which she believes drives the demand for culturally focused STEAM models. She disputed the district's financial argument, citing a recent surplus that was retracted due to legal limits.

Monroe calculated that the school would cost approximately 1% of the district's budget and 6% of its current surplus. She compared the decision to the board's recent approval of the Two Rivers Homestead charter school, which she described as less practical. Monroe argued that the district has lost credibility in its fiscal arguments and that the decision reflects a desire for control over education rather than logic.

Dulian said the board will issue a written denial, which will then be voted on by the board. The denial will be sent back to the applicants and forwarded to the state board. The board is open to discussing enrollment caps before another application is submitted. A lawsuit regarding the charter remains pending before the Alaska Supreme Court.