District-Level Goals (ASD)

Reverse the Semester Rotation Model: End the on-off semester model for elementary music and art to ensure students receive consistent, year-round instruction.

Adopt Expert-Led Staffing Plans: Implement the Fine Arts Department’s alternative staffing models, which provide superior results using the same number of teachers.

Maintain the Middle School 7-Period Day: Keep the 7-period secondary schedule so students can take arts electives without sacrificing other academic requirements.

Restore 6th Grade Music Requirements: Reverse the cuts to required 6th-grade choir, orchestra, and band to protect the brain development of our students.

Restore the East High School Band Program: Assign Additional FTE’s to East to restore equability with the rest of the district.

Link Arts to Graduation Targets: Formally recognize fine arts as a primary tool to reach the Board’s goal of increasing the graduation rate from 81% to 90%.

Require Arts for Academic Growth: Mandate fine arts at all levels as a core strategy to meet the Board’s 2023–2028 proficiency goals in reading and math.

Expert Evaluations Only: Require that fine arts teachers be evaluated by a Fine Arts Director or subject expert rather than a general school administrator.

State-Level Goals (Alaska)

Establish a K-12 Fine Arts Credit Requirement: Pass state legislation mandating music and art as a required credit class for every grade level in elementary, middle, and high school.

Define Arts as a Core Subject: Change state statute to classify Fine Arts as a core academic subject, protecting its funding and status.

Protect Fine Arts FTE’s: All fine arts FTE’s should be placed in a protected class by the Alaska state legislature and require programs to be fully funded.

Increase the BSA: Permanently increase the Base Student Allocation to provide sustainable funding for fine arts teachers and equipment.