Superintendent Dusek invites you to contact your Borough Assembly representative for your district, or attend the Borough Special Assembly Meeting on July 6, 2018, at 6:00 PM, to offer your comments about funding for Kenai Peninsula K-12 schools, and the $652k funding veto for the school year beginning July 1, 2018.
The Borough special assembly meeting action items will discuss:
- Mayor’s FY19 Budget Line Item Veto School District Operations $652,609
- Mayor’s FY19 Budget Line Item Veto Peninsula Promotions $206,000
“All interested persons are invited to attend the meeting. Written comments may be emailed to assemblyclerk@kpb.us or mailed to the Assembly, c/o Borough Clerk, 144 N. Binkley Street, Soldotna, AK 99669.”
Superintendent Dusek wants you to know:
“While I am disappointed with the Mayor’s veto of $652,609, I am confident that the Mayor and Assembly support KPBSD and have made a significant investment already, for which we are very thankful. We support the other entities that the borough funds because we are all a part of the larger puzzle that provides an excellent place to live and work. The positive results we get support the economic engine in this borough—and others are able to share that information to attract visitors and new families to the peninsula to promote more growth.”
Why is the $652k important now?
Superintendent Dusek explains,
“The school district was going to specifically utilize these additional funds to address mental health issues with younger students—schools have responsibility now more than ever for wrap-a-round services to support students to be ready to learn, and to provide a safe learning environment. We had set plans in motion for the $652k to hire three itinerant elementary counselors to begin serving our students when school starts in August, and contract with one clinical psychologist. Additionally, our intent was to contract with a school safety specialist to review our schools. The remainder would help offset the remaining deficit after our fund balance usage.”
KPBSD FY19 Deficit and Budget Update (June 27, 2018)
Since 2015, the school district has been making budget reductions, and used General Fund Balance reserves to offset deficits totaling $12,575,312 million.
FY19 KPBSD deficit: 3,356,161
Planned Use of General Fund Balance: 1,318,109
Additional one-time funds from State: 1,405,152*
*this one-time funding allowed KPBSD to keep current pupil-teacher ratios (PTR) in classrooms
In late June, the school district learned about potential funds from the State of Alaska related to a PERS and TRS forfeiture from the state for defined contributions for employees spanning a twelve-year period. The district is awaiting details and guidance from the state for the actual portion of the $945,275.36 that could become a “credit on the books” and reassigned to the general fund.
Superintendent Dusek states,
“I believe in the future of this borough and look forward to working with the Mayor and Assembly to develop a fiscally responsible, long-term plan to continue to grow our communities. The future is bright and I believe this because I get to work with our future everyday–our students.”
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KPBSD will inspire all learners to pursue their dreams in a rigorous, relevant and responsive environment.