Ketchikan School Board meets at the White Cliff Building on February 10, 2016.
The Ketchikan School Board looked at draft version 1.0 of the FY17 budget at its Wednesday meeting.
Based on expected funding, 12 programs and positions are currently unfunded, including the Jack Cotant, the wellness program, the Kanayama exchange program, and paraprofessionals, teachers and librarians throughout the district.
Board President Michelle O’Brien says this is a scenario that hasn’t been seen in recent years.
“You look below that red line and you see people. Those are people that need to know in the May time frame will I have a job in the fall or not, because certainly they would be looking.”
The red line shows where expected funding stops. Budget items are prioritized and those lower on the priority list are more likely to fall below the red line.
In the past, the board has prioritized funding staff over stuff, but the board members say after continually cutting supplies and maintenance funds, there is no more left to cut.
Superintendent Robert Boyle says while funding from the state and borough are not yet solidified this year the district is in a unique environment with a $2.6 million reserve.
“But if we have that much of a bank there, and the borough has that opportunity to act as our banker then that allows a lot of flexibility in your projections if you want to take that route.”
In the budget the red line shows where expected funding stops. Budget items are prioritized and those lower on the priority list are more likely to fall below the red line.
In order to fund all the positions below the red line, the district would need $8.8 million from the borough as a combination of required local contribution, discretionary cash and payment for contracted services.
Board Member Misty Archibald echoed the opinion of other board members to ask for just that. “It’s such a disservice to the children in our community and it’s a disservice to our community in general. Looking forward we are not doing anyone any favors. So I’m in agreement we need what we need. We need to ask for what we need.”
The Board also began a discussion about user rates for facilities. O’Brien says currently the district is penalized for opening the school doors for community organizations such as the South Tongass Alliance Church. Although the church pays the district to use Fawn Mountain Elementary, the district is billed $4,000 for the congregation’s use of the road to the school.
Also Wednesday the Board approved unanimously a bylaw revision regarding board stipends, the purchase of a new computer for the Board secretary, and budget transfers to Revilla Alternative High School and the maintenance department.
The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday February 24th.
