Anchorage School Board Votes to Close STEM School, Threatening Arts Education

from the streets of Anchorage to the world. This is Anchorage News today.

The Anchorage School Board recently voted to close Campbell-Stem Magnet School,

the city's only nationally accredited elementary STEM program in the state.

Local art teacher Amanda Thompson is raising alarms, saying it comes right alongside cuts to

elementary art and music classes. Thompson points out that district leaders once champion

blending STEM and art to build kids' critical thinking, creativity, and problem solving skills.

She teaches elementary art and has seen firsthand how combining these subjects

spartes amazing projects from her students. Many families and educators worry,

this move wipes out a proven model at Campbell, where dedicated parents, staff, and kids

made it work despite no. District-wide expansion. Thompson notes a drop in basic

hands-on skills among newer students, like threading a needle or drawing straight lines.

As a third-generation Anchorage resident, she recalls the city's growth fueled by strong design

and engineering education back in the day. Now, she argues the district needs these programs

more than ever to equip kids for a thriving future. Thompson is calling on the board to reverse

course at their March 17th meeting, pick another school from the original closure list,

and lock in. Support for both STEM and art and long-term plans. This story is made possible

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