Superintendent

This spring, our schools are filled with examples of student achievement. Across the district, we are seeing students excel not only in the classroom but also in activities, competitions, and athletics, demonstrating the many ways learning and growth come to life in our schools.

Across Interior Alaska, our students are demonstrating remarkable achievement in academics, activities, and leadership. At this year’s District Science Fair, nearly 500 students submitted more than 450 projects, showcasing creativity, curiosity, and a strong commitment to scientific inquiry. These young scholars tackled complex questions using research, experimentation, and analysis, and their work was further recognized through more than 50 special awards made possible by our generous community partners.

Our students also shined at the Interior Regional Spelling Bee, where 49 participants from first through eighth grade demonstrated outstanding skill and sportsmanship. We are especially proud that all three top finishers attend schools within our district, with Boreal Sun Charter School seventh-grader Andie Seavey earning first place, followed by Ladd Elementary fourth-grader Pataniya Guevara and Randy Smith Middle School eighth-grader Daniel Ames-Marcotte.

In athletics and extracurricular excellence, West Valley High School continues to make us proud. Junior Jayden Miranda was recently named the Gatorade Alaska Boys Basketball Player of the Year - an honor recognizing him as the top high school player in the state. His achievements on the court are matched by his commitment to academics and service, reflecting the well-rounded excellence we strive to cultivate in all students.

West Valley’s MCJROTC Sporter Rifle Team also delivered an outstanding performance on the national stage, earning a 5th place overall finish. Team captain Katie Ojaniemi achieved an exceptional 2nd place individually and earned the prestigious Distinguished Marksmanship Badge - an honor that speaks to her dedication, precision, and discipline.

Meanwhile, at Discovery Peak Charter School, our middle school students continue to set a high bar for academic competition. Their Science Olympiad team recently captured the Division B State Championship for the second consecutive year and the third time in four years. With strong performances across a wide range of scientific disciplines, the team will now represent Alaska at the National Science Olympiad Tournament this May.

These accomplishments reflect the hard work and dedication taking place in our classrooms every day, as well as the commitment our students bring to activities and athletics. I am proud to lead a district where students, staff, and families show up each day ready to learn, compete, and grow - working together to build a strong and vibrant school community.

Sincerely,

Dr. Luke Meinert, Superintendent

As we move into the final stretch of the school year, I want to encourage all of our students and families to stay focused on finishing strong. One of the biggest keys to student success is consistent attendance. Every day in school matters. When students are here, they build skills, stay connected to their teachers and classmates, and keep pace with learning. Just as importantly, we truly miss your student when they are not in school. Their presence matters to our school community, and it makes a difference both academically and socially.

If your student is facing challenges that make it difficult to attend or engage in school, please know that support is available. I encourage you to reach out to your child’s school or our Student Support Services Department. Our teams are here to partner with families and ensure every student has what they need to succeed.

I would also like to thank the many families who took the time to complete this year’s School Climate and Connectedness Survey. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and helps guide decisions across our district. We were especially pleased to see family participation increase significantly from 16.1% last year to 26.6% this year. We also received some feedback about the survey questions themselves. The School Climate and Connectedness Survey is a statewide survey developed and administered through the Alaska Association of School Boards (AASB), which means districts have limited ability to modify the questions. While we may not be able to adjust the survey items locally, we do share the feedback we receive with AASB so it can be considered in future survey updates.

Thank you again for taking the time to share your perspective. With a well-earned pause coming up as spring break approaches, I hope it provides an opportunity for rest, time with family, and maybe even some time outdoors. I hope the weather continues to warm up, and that I see some of you out on the ski slopes or on the trails.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support of our schools.

Warmly,

Dr. Luke Meinert, Superintendent

February is a month of celebration, reflection, and opportunity in the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District.

This month, we recognize National Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month and the important role CTE plays in preparing students for college, careers, and life. Through hands-on learning experiences, students develop real-world skills and earn industry certifications, and many students also have the opportunity to earn college credit. In fact, our students earned 495 industry certifications last year. This is a tremendous accomplishment and a reflection of the hard work of our students, staff, and community partners.

FNSBSD offers a wide range of CTE opportunities across high-demand fields, including healthcare, construction, engineering, automotive technology, education, and more. These programs are strengthened through partnerships with local businesses and industry leaders, helping ensure students learn skills that directly connect to workforce needs in our community. Learn more about CTE pathways and opportunities at FNSBSD and follow FNSBSD’s CTE department.

FNSBSD continues to expand CTE opportunities for students across the district. This year, we launched a new cosmetology pathway at Lathrop High School, and North Pole High School is now the only high school in Alaska accredited by Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). We have also brought back Fire Science through a partnership with the University of Alaska Fairbanks Community and Technical College, giving students districtwide the opportunity to explore careers in emergency services and public safety. These programs reflect what CTE is all about - hands-on learning, strong industry connections, and clear pathways to high-demand careers after high school.

As students begin requesting classes for next school year, we are also excited to continue offering a part-time enrollment opportunity at Hutchison High School for students in grades 10–12 who attend Lathrop, West Valley, BEST, or other in-town high school programs. Hutchison offers a variety of CTE courses that may not be available at other Fairbanks high schools, providing students with additional options to explore career interests and gain valuable technical skills.

Students may enroll in one class, two classes, or a half-day schedule while remaining enrolled at their home school. Shuttle transportation will be available between schools before school, during lunch, and after school, making this opportunity accessible for interested students.

Hutchison staff visited West Valley and Lathrop this week to answer questions and provide more information. Families are also invited to an Open House at Hutchison High School on Wednesday, February 11, from 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Interested students can sign up here.

Thank you for supporting our students and schools.

Warmly,

Dr. Luke Meinert, Superintendent

Welcome back to the second semester of the school year. I hope you and your students had a restful and meaningful break, and that the weeks ahead are filled with learning, growth, and opportunity.

At the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, student success is at the center of everything we do. Success looks different for every student, and our responsibility as a district is to create learning environments that support students academically, socially, and emotionally - while also recognizing the diverse needs of the families we serve.

As we begin this semester, I want to thank our students for their continued effort, our families for your partnership, and our teachers and staff for their dedication to helping every student thrive. The second half of the school year is an important time for reflection, goal setting, and renewed focus, and we are committed to supporting students every step of the way.

You may have seen information shared this week about the district’s Out-of-Attendance Area (OAA) application window for the 2026-27 school year. This process is one example of how we are working to provide greater flexibility and transparency for families, allowing students to learn in the school environment that best supports their success, when space is available. Recent adjustments to the OAA process will also allow families to receive decisions earlier and better plan for the year ahead.

Whether your child attends their neighborhood school or applies for an out-of-attendance area placement, our focus remains the same: ensuring every student has access to high-quality instruction, strong relationships, and the resources they need to succeed.

Thank you for being an essential part of our school community. I look forward to a positive and productive second semester and to continuing our work together in support of student success.

Warmly,

Dr. Luke Meinert, Superintendent

Dear district families,

As we head into December, I find myself reflecting on where we are as a school district. Many of you know that we have worked through a number of painful budgetary decisions in previous years, engaging in difficult conversations and making choices that, while challenging, were necessary to protect our district’s long-term stability.

Our district has faced ongoing financial pressures. Throughout this time, we've been committed to making responsible decisions that align our spending with available resources while prioritizing the quality of instruction and essential student services. The decisions we’ve made have a real impact on families, staff, and students, and I remain mindful of the weight those decisions carry.

This year, I’m grateful to share more encouraging news: our financial outlook is more stable. While we continue to steward our resources carefully, the work done in recent years and the hard decisions made along the way have helped strengthen our foundation. That progress is a testament to thoughtful planning, robust community input, and the resilience of our school community.

This year’s budget cycle will look much different. We are not facing the kind of large deficits that have shaped past conversations, and that opens the door for a different kind of dialogue. While we will continue to be prudent, there is now space to examine the possibility of small, strategic re-investments that support student success and staff sustainability.

Our focus now is on maintaining that stability while continuing to support student learning and keep our schools strong. As part of that ongoing work, the District’s Budget Committee will present a report to the School Board on January 20, offering recommendations to guide the next phase of financial planning. We remain committed to transparency and will keep families informed throughout the budget process.

Thank you for your partnership, your patience, and your continued support of our students and staff. I am proud of how our community has faced challenges together, and I remain optimistic about what lies ahead.

Wishing you and your loved ones a safe, restful, and joyful holiday season.

Warmly,
Dr. Luke Meinert, Superintendent

Dear district families,

As we enter this season of gratitude, I want to pause and thank you for the countless ways you support your student(s) and your school. Whether it’s helping with homework, encouraging consistent attendance, attending performances and games, or simply asking, “How was your day?”, your partnership makes an extraordinary difference. Every success story in our district is built on the foundation of family support, caring educators, and determined students.

This fall, we have exciting news to celebrate together: The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District has achieved the highest graduation rate in district history.

Our four-year graduation rate rose from 77.7% in 2022–23 to 82.6% in 2024–25, a nearly five-percentage-point increase and the second consecutive year of record-breaking improvement. 

Several schools and student groups saw particularly strong gains:

    •    Lathrop High School climbed from 63.5% in 2021-22 to 79.9% in 2024–25. This is a 16-point improvement in just three years.
    •    Special Education students achieved a 26.7-point increase, reaching an all-time high.
    •    Alaska Native students celebrated an 8.8-point gain, surpassing the districtwide growth rate.

These milestones capture the persistence, innovation, and care that drive our district’s ongoing commitment to student success. From early intervention and credit recovery programs to expanded career and technical education pathways, our schools are finding new ways to ensure every student can succeed.

As we head into the holidays, I encourage families to:

    •    Keep routines steady. Consistent attendance and structure help students stay on track.
    •    Recognize effort and progress. Celebrating small victories builds confidence and motivation.
    •    Reach out when needed. Our counselors, teachers, and administrators are here to help every student find their path forward.

I am deeply grateful for your continued trust and partnership. Together, we are proving what’s possible when our community focuses on removing barriers and lifting up every learner.

Warmly,
Dr. Luke Meinert, Superintendent


Dear district families,

One of the things I’m most proud of in our district is the breadth of opportunity available in our neighborhood schools. Whether your child is discovering new interests or going deeper in an area they already love, our schools offer pathways to explore, achieve, and belong.

Here are just a few highlights of opportunities available to students:

Elementary Programs and Activities

• Literacy Support: From the earliest grades, students benefit from strong reading instruction and targeted supports. Teachers use proven strategies and interventions to ensure every child builds a solid foundation in reading and writing, setting them up for success in all subjects.
• Science Explorations: Even at the elementary level, students are encouraged to explore and experiment. Hands-on science activities spark curiosity and introduce young learners to the scientific process.
• After School Programs, Clubs, and Activities: Elementary schools offer a wide range of opportunities such as Running Club, Ski Club, art, theater games, music, Chess Club, and Battle of the Books. Each school’s options are shaped by student interest and community support.
• Sports and Activities: Students can participate in a variety of activities that promote teamwork, leadership, and healthy habits. This includes both traditional sports and culturally grounded opportunities such as Native Youth Olympics, which begin in elementary and continue through middle and high school.

Middle School Opportunities

• Career & Technical Education (CTE): Students begin exploring pathways in areas such as STEM, woodshop, culinary arts, and education. These courses provide hands-on learning and serve as the foundation for more advanced high school programs.
• Sports and Activities: Middle schools provide a wide range of team and club opportunities, with swimming returning this year at North Pole Middle and Ryan Middle, expanding options for students to get involved.
• Fine Arts: Music, theater, and visual arts programs continue to build skills in creativity, collaboration, and confidence.

High School Opportunities

• Career & Technical Education (CTE): Pathways build into advanced coursework and certificate or internship programs, preparing students for high-demand careers or post-secondary education.
• Advanced Placement (AP): Rigorous courses that challenge students and prepare them for college-level expectations.
• North Star Middle College: Eligible students can experience a college-style environment while completing their high school diploma, getting a head start on post-secondary goals.
• Fine Arts: High school programs in music, theater, and the visual arts offer opportunities for both creative expression and professional-level performance.
• Sports and Activities: A wide variety of sports and extracurriculars provide opportunities for teamwork, leadership, and healthy lifestyles.

If you’re wondering where to start, I encourage you to connect with your school counselor or principal about scheduling, tryouts, and sign-ups. They can help match your child’s interests with the programs and activities offered at your school. You can also watch school newsletters and the district website for upcoming showcases, information nights, and registration windows.

I’m also pleased to share a brief personal update: I was recently elected to represent superintendents on the Alaska School Activities Association (ASAA) Board. This role keeps our district closely connected to student activities not only here at home but across the state, ensuring we have a strong voice in opportunities available to Alaska’s students.

Thank you for being our partners in your child’s education. I’m excited to see what our students will accomplish this year in classrooms, studios, gyms, and beyond.

Warmly,
Dr. Luke Meinert, Superintendent

Dear district families,

The start of a new school year is always full of energy and opportunity, and now is the perfect time to establish strong habits that will support your student throughout the months ahead and set them up for success. Establishing consistent routines, encouraging engagement, and building meaningful relationships can make all the difference.

We encourage you to get involved in your school community early. Parents can connect with one another through their school’s PTO, and students can find belonging through activities, athletics, and clubs. Families can also engage by volunteering in classrooms, helping with special projects, or attending student events such as concerts, plays, and athletic competitions. Each of these connections helps strengthen the bond between home and school, creating a supportive network where students know they are valued and encouraged. These positive relationships don’t just build friendships - they also strengthen student attendance, which is one of the biggest indicators of academic success.

Consistent attendance is one of the strongest predictors of student achievement. When students are present and engaged each day, they not only keep up with their learning but also strengthen their sense of belonging within the school community. Every day in class builds on the one before it, and even small amounts of missed time can add up. As a district, we have seen improvements in regular attendance, and we want to see that growth continue into this new year. By making school attendance a priority, families give their children the best possible chance for success.

It is also important to establish healthy habits at home. Setting regular bedtimes and creating quiet spaces for homework all contribute to your child’s ability to focus and learn throughout the day. When students arrive at school well-rested and ready to learn, they are better prepared to take advantage of the many opportunities available to them. Small, consistent steps at home add up to big successes in the classroom.

Together, these relationships, routines, and a shared commitment to regular attendance create strong, vibrant learning communities where every student can thrive. Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting your student’s journey this school year.

Warmly,
Dr. Luke Meinert, Superintendent