Emily Schwing investigated Alaska’s crumbling rural schools, finding dangerous conditions, historic funding failures, and state neglect despite urgent community needs.

The school in the small village of Sleetmute is falling apart. Despite years of pleas, limited funding has arrived, leaving students in unsafe conditions.

Many rural Alaska schools lack local funding and rely on the state for repairs. Decades of neglect have led to unsafe schools and costly delays.

Rural Alaska schools face unsafe conditions, but state funds focus on student costs, not repairs. Without capital investment, education quality and safety suffer.