Building Safer Schools in Anchorage: My Vision for Stronger Policies and Local Control
- Alex Rosales
- Aug 25
- 4 min read
As a veteran, educator, parent, and now officially filed candidate for the Anchorage School Board in 2026, with elections on April 7th... I'm committed to empowering parents, fostering safe learning environments, and celebrating Anchorage's incredible diversity.
Our kids deserve to start their day with pride and purpose, but Alaska's 46th national education ranking shows we must do better. My "Safe Schools, Strong Futures" policy focuses on prevention, transparency, community engagement, and accountability, all under local control; not federal mandates.
Parents, not bureaucrats, should decide what's best for their children's education. Let's build on our community's strengths to address key challenges, drawing from real concerns like unreported incidents, student safety tools, and everyday policies. Together, we can lift our schools and aim for improving the school board by prioritizing practical, unifying solutions, not partisan agendas.
Enhancing Transparency: Classroom Cameras and Parental Access
To ensure parents can see what's being taught and hold everyone accountable, I propose optional cameras in classrooms, focused primarily on instruction and accessible via a secure Parent Q portal. This builds trust without invading privacy, complying with FERPA and Alaska's parental rights laws like AS 14.03.016. Studies show such systems can deter misconduct and provide quick resolution for issues. We'll pilot this in select schools, gathering input from diverse families to reflect Anchorage's global community, because every child deserves to learn without fear and teachers deserve backup.
Addressing Unreported Incidents: Weapons and Accountability
Recent data from the Anchorage Police Department reveals five handguns confiscated at ASD schools in both 2023 and 2024, among 35 other deadly weapons. While some cases, like the replica gun at Government Hill Elementary or handguns at West High, are publicly reported, transparency gaps can erode trust. My policy calls for mandatory public reporting of all incidents via the Parent Q portal, cutting administrative waste to fund better tracking. This aligns with local control, empowering teachers and parents to guide safety; not distant agencies. To strengthen security, I'll advocate auditing vestibule upgrades (nearly $40M invested) for real enforcement, and explore certified teacher carry options under Alaska laws like SB 217, if legally viable and with community buy-in. Additionally, let's involve veterans through "Veterans for Safe Schools," rotating military members, especially parents, at schools via expanded All Pro Dad programs (www.allprodad.com), boosting positive adult presence.
Balancing Cell Phone Policies for Student Protection
ASD's 2025-26 cell phone ban aims to reduce distractions, but it may limit students' ability to document concerns, as seen in past incidents where videos aided accountability. I support amending the policy for supervised use in emergencies or reporting misconduct, ensuring kids aren't silenced. parents deserve final say regardless of ASD policies. This fosters pride and purpose while protecting everyone, teachers included, who oversee our children and deserve support, not undue scrutiny.
Tackling Student Drug Use with Community Support
Concerns about students arriving to class under the influence are real, with Alaska's Youth Risk Behavior Survey showing higher-than-national rates: about 15-20% of high schoolers reported illicit drug use in the past 30 days, and more than a third of users reported multiple substances. Reports of 10 overdoses in Anchorage schools in April 2023 highlight the urgency. Teachers need help, so my policy includes mandatory training on spotting issues, referrals for drug testing when approved by parents, partnered with local health organizations for free counseling and prevention programs. By reducing class sizes and emphasizing local control, we can address root causes and improve our 46th national ranking.
Promoting Pride Through Simple Changes: Banning Pajama Days
To instill purpose from the start, let's ban pajama days district-wide and replace them with "Pride in Purpose" events celebrating Anchorage's diversity. Think cultural attire days honoring our Indigenous, global, and veteran communities. ASD's student handbook already stresses appropriate attire; this small shift builds a focused environment without bureaucracy and removes the opportunity for adults to see children in the light that only parents should.
Instilling American Values for Student Safety
To enhance student safety and foster a sense of pride and purpose, we should reinforce American values in our schools through unifying practices that celebrate our shared heritage while respecting diversity. This includes encouraging daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, as supported by Alaska Statute 14.03.130, which already requires it to be recited regularly with opt-out rights for those who choose not to participate. Recent ASD policy updates encourage patriotic activities, so let's make it daily to start the day with unity. Additionally, incorporating foundational principles like those in the Ten Commandments; displayed in historical context alongside documents such as the Declaration of Independence, could promote moral guidance, as seen in some Alaskan public displays like the Mat-Su Borough's lobby installation. Regarding sanctuary school policies, ASD's approach of limiting federal immigration enforcement on campuses aims to protect students, but we must ensure it doesn't compromise safety for all vetted students and families. Through local control, we can prioritize secure environments for every child, verifying with www.asdk12.org for current policies.
Improving Safety Reporting: Strengthening the StopIt App
ASD's StopIt app is a valuable tool for anonymous reports on bullying, harassment, drug use, and more, empowering students to speak up before issues escalate. However, to maximize its impact, we need better oversight and accountability tracking. We need to ensure reports are reviewed promptly and followed up. Currently, ASD's Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community Engagement plays a role in broader equity efforts, but safety demands dedicated specialists. The restructuring of this valuable tool was used politically to keep certain people in a job. I'll push for a multi-stakeholder review team, including parents and teachers, to handle reports efficiently. This avoids federal overreach, focusing on local solutions that reflect our diverse needs.
In summary, "Safe Schools, Strong Futures" is about practical improvements: more parental choice, veteran-led engagement through All Pro Dad and JBER groups, transparent tech like cameras, and accountable systems like an enhanced StopIt app. By cutting waste and emphasizing local control, we can create schools where every child thrives. This will catapult Alaska from 46th in education.
Verify details at www.asdk12.org or education.alaska.gov.
Join me in this fight! Share this post on X (@AlexForSchools), sign up at www.alexforschoolboardak.com, and let's aim for 5,000 shares to reach more families. What resonates most with you? Transparency tools or community programs? Your input helps me stay informed and shape this crucial policy going forward.