FAIRBANKS, Alaska—
The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District would see a serious loss in students next year if the military shifts an F-16 squadron from Eielson Air Force Base to Anchorage.The Air Force estimates 1,062 school-age dependents will depart if the squadron leaves.
School officials tell the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner they had predicted the departure of 1,005 students, but under both projections, it would mean closure of two elementary schools and Eielson Junior-Senior High School.
The district estimates it would lose $11.4 million in state student funding plus additional federal and transportation money. Operating costs would be cut by only $9.5 million, for an overall loss of $4.7 million.
