Mat‑Su Health Foundation (MSHF) announced the approval of a landmark $1.69 million one‑time grant to the Matanuska‑Susitna Borough School District (MSBSD) to sustain the district’s current nurse‑to‑school ratio for one year. The grant was approved during a special meeting of the MSHF Board of Directors on March 11, 2026, and will be brought before the school board for their approval on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

“This is a mission-aligned commitment to student health and educational success in the Mat‑Su,” said Esther Pitts, President and CEO of Mat‑Su Health Foundation. “When students have consistent access to health professionals during the school day, they are healthier, attend school more consistently, and are better able to learn. This grant fills a temporary but critical gap, ensuring our students have access to the care they need. At the end of the day, it’s about how we’re showing up for our youth.”

As the MSBSD faces a $22.5 million education budget deficit, this one-time investment ensures that students, particularly those in the district’s 30 Title I schools, continue to have reliable access to essential health services during the school day. This funding will support the continued delivery of school health services across the district, allowing the district to maintain continuity of care while it identifies long-term, sustainable funding solutions. School health staff are pivotal supports not only for students but also for teachers and families, playing a critical role in the school health ecosystem.

“The Board feels strongly that protecting access to school health services is vital for student wellbeing and for our community as a whole,” said Lisa Wade, Chair of the MSHF Board of Directors. “We are grateful to be in a position to respond to an urgent need while reinforcing a core principle: philanthropic dollars should enhance, not replace, long-term public education funding.”

This one-time grant from the Foundation has only one ask: that the funds be used specifically for school nurses. The Foundation has also offered support in assessing current systems and collaborating on solutions that improve care. Both MSHF and Dr. Randy Trani, Superintendent of the MSBSD, are focused on developing effective, long-term plans to ensure students’ health concerns are adequately addressed in schools.

“The support from Mat‑Su Health Foundation means our students will continue receiving essential health services during a period of significant need,” said Dr. Trani. “While we navigate a number of funding challenges, this grant provides the district essential time to maintain student access to health services and reimagine a system that is sustainable well into the future.”

MSHF will continue working closely with MSBSD, state partners, and community stakeholders to support collaborative, long-term pathways for student health and wellness.