The KPBSD Distance Learning Program is offering eight online courses for the 2017 Summer Session to KPBSD students.
Free of charge, registration for these courses is first come, first serve. Once the course is full students will be placed on a waiting list.
Details: https://sites.google.com/g.kpbsd.org/2017-summersession/home
March 22, 2017, Education funding update
The House of Representatives passed HB57 operating budget, which includes Status Quo education funding. This is in alignment with the Governor’s proposed budget. Today it was announced HB57 bill is scheduled <pending introduction and referral> with the Senate Finance Committee (SFC) on Thursday, March 23, 2017, at 9:00 a.m.
The Senate Finance Committee proposed operating budget SB22 does not have an amount for education funding included, yet. Last week during public testimony, when several KPBSD constituents called and emailed legislators, and testified at LIO offices, Senator Lyman Hoffman said the SFC would be reducing education funding by 5% when it was added in this week. However, no action has taken place in SB22. If you take two minutes to read the testimony from Superintendent Dusek, and from Assistant Superintendent Jones, you will better understand the work KPBSD is doing to assist with a fiscal plan, and learn how that even with Status Quo funding, costs continue to rise, and it is challenging to continue to innovate and successfully meet the needs of every child who comes through the door.
The uncertainty about education funding is stalling KPBSD from issuing contracts to our non-tenured teachers, in whom we have a significant investment. Further delay will force newer staff to seek positions elsewhere. This will negatively impact students and create increases in the professional development costs required to prepare newly hired employees.
The Borough has not yet made a commitment to FY18 funding, and if the state reduces foundation formula funding in the BSA, that has a negative impact and linked effect on the amount the Borough can provide.
KPBSD asks you to contact legislators to offer your thoughts about a fiscal plan and education funding.
KPBSD appreciates the hard work and advocacy of all of our local legislators, and as we wait upon the Senate to make decisions, we are thankful that Senator Micciche and Senator Stevens support education on the Kenai Peninsula.
Recent Alaska Legislatures have a strong history of properly funding K-12 education. The numbers from this year’s Alaska Senate Majority Survey show that the majority of Alaskans would like to see that continue. KPBSD asks the legislature to continue funding as in the past.
Several new education related bills have been proposed this week. KPBSD administration is analyzing and reviewing these bills, and will keep you up to date.
Thank you for your advocacy, and care for our students, our staff, our schools, and communities. Your voice might make the difference. Please speak up to share about why you value education and want to see the good results for our young people continue into the coming years.
*Think in terms of this:
If the Alaska State legislature passes additional revenue cuts to state education funding, the KPBSD $3.45 million budget deficit will increase. And, state reductions can affect the Kenai Peninsula Borough maximum allowable contribution to KPBSD. The additional state funding impact to KPBSD would be:
Ten KPBSD teachers equates to one million dollars.
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, 907.714.8888
The current version of SB22 does not include a funding amount for education.
At the opening of public testimony on March 16, 2017, Co-chair Senator Lyman Hoffman clarified that education funding is not included in the current budget proposal because the Senate Finance committee, “contemplated that may be reduced by 5%, or a nickel on a dollar.”
Will you please take two minutes to tell the Senate Finance Committee why you value funding education? Give your perspective in person, by telephone, via email*
*Senate Finance Committee – SB22 Operating Budget – Statewide Public Testimony
Time limit is two minutes. Thursday, March 16:
9:00 – 10:30: Juneau
1:00 – 2:00: Glennallen, Seward, Homer
2:00 – 3:30: Statewide Offnet
3:30 – 5:00: Anchorage
5:00 – 6:00: Kenai, Kodiak, Dillingham
Written testimony can be submitted to finance.committee@akleg.gov
Superintendent Sean Dusek said today, “I’m very concerned about what the Senate is contemplating. Now is the time for people’s voices to be heard, and fully engaged in this process.”
Go to a local LIO office in Homer, Kenai, or Seward; call-in; or email your testimony.
General instructions
By Phone (LIO offices in Homer, Kenai, and Seward, plus Off-Net):
Written testimony:
The KPBSD FY18 proposed budget is calculated with a status quo funding for education. Status Quo funding projects a KPBSD deficit of ($ 3.4 million)*.
To balance the budget, KPBSD identified expenditure reductions of ($ 2.6 million), and the use of General Fund Balance (savings) of $ 872,358. This is prior to additional education funding cuts. The $2.6 million dollars in expenditure reductions includes 30.76 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) positions.
If the Alaska State legislature passes additional revenue cuts to state education funding, the KPBSD $3.4 million budget deficit will increase. And, state reductions can affect the Kenai Peninsula Borough maximum allowable contribution to KPBSD. This is the additional state funding impact to KPBSD:
A 5% reduction in state funding also reduces the Borough’s ability to fund KPBSD by $1,217,554.
Perspective: Ten KPBSD teachers equates to one million dollars.
For several years, budget reductions have come through efficiencies, Pupil to Teacher Ratio (PTR) increases, and reduction of staff. Increased costs related to healthcare and serving our intensive needs students continue to rise.
The effects of these cuts have been kept as far away from the classroom as possible and most of the public do not realize these are already in effect. But, $8,550,530 has already been reduced in KPBSD since FY15.
Total Budget Reductions: ($ 8.55 million)
Further reductions to education funding in FY18 will increase the deficit, thus likely impact KPBSD staff, classroom instruction and support. Mr. Dave Jones, assistant superintendent of instructional support said, “Any perceived fat in the budget has been cut, and any further reductions will have to be personnel related.”
Links
The number one KPBSD Board of Education legislative priority is, “Provide sustained, reliable, and adequate education funding for Alaska’s students.”
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KPBSD teens, will you be 18 by June 30, 2017?
You have the opportunity to earn industry certifications in Kenai, from The Alaska Petroleum Academy.
Certifications offered include:
Classes will be held at the Work Force Development Center~Kenai Central High School, and are open to all KPBSD teens.
Requirements: students must be 18 by June 30, 2017, and be able to attend all training dates. The program only allows 20 students to attend and if more sign up an interview process will be held.
Sign up through the KPBSD OneStop website
Training Schedule
“Miss Stephanie” Young is an exemplary community partner at Paul Banks Elementary School in Homer, Alaska.
The kids call her “Miss Stephanie,” and she cares deeply about the students and staff of Paul Banks Elementary, and the community of Homer. A skills trainer through The Center, Miss Stephanie has a firm but gentle way with her clients and the students she serves at Paul Banks. She is always kind while simultaneously providing rigorous support. She is one of those people who bring out the best in not only the students, but the adults around her. She is always positive and supportive. Miss Stephanie goes beyond normal expectations in many ways, for example, by donating her lunch hour to support a teacher meeting with a parent. She gives her clients extra attention because they really need it, and she lends a hand wherever it is needed.
Always willing to chip in, she invests her time training other skills trainers, and is very effective, and frequently called upon to provide guidance to other skills trainers. Paul Banks staff says, “We know that we have become better teachers and Paul Banks has become a better school from having her in the classrooms!”
Stephanie takes time to think things through, wants to brainstorm about what is working, and what might work for her often very difficult clients. Due to student confidentiality, we cannot share specific stories, however, staff members say, “She is always willing to meet, even on her own time and has excellent ideas to share. When things are not working, Stephanie stays patient and supportive of both the students and staff, and works together with us to find solutions.” Often staying after the school day, she will meet with students and teachers to better meet the needs of students. When she has down time from her work she supports other families in need, and provides support beyond her duties as a Skills Trainer on her own time, doing things such as helping to create manipulatives, activities, and schoolwide activities.
Outside of the school, Stephanie helps out with church activities and has been a foster parent. For many years, she helped with youth groups. Youth group is a place for kids to come together to sing, and to play sports and other recreational games. Through community service projects they make it a point to visit and sing at Long Term Care several times a quarter. She also helps with the Truth Seekers program.
The Paul Banks staff believes, “When we think about people that are truly good for kids and good for our schools, we think of people like ‘Miss Stephanie’ Young!”
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize “Miss Stephanie” for her dedication to the students of the school district, past, present, and future.
Links
Click here to nominate a business, community member, volunteer, or KPBSD staff for Golden Apple recognition
Golden Apple recipients
The Soldotna Prep School music room is transformed, and open Monday and Tuesday from 3:00-6:00 for all area teens from schools in the KPBSD.
Local area ladies in 9th through 12th grade are invited to shop for prom shoes, dresses, and makeup.
Thank you to the volunteers, and for donations from businesses, and ladies in the area—all items are free to the teens who shop!
Meet Jonathan Dillon, music teacher at Mountain View Elementary!
In 2016, three Alaska Arts Educator Fellowships were awarded, including a music specialist, a visual arts specialist, and a kindergarten teacher. All three were awarded to KPBSD educators!
Mr. Dillon, Mountain View Elementary music educator, furthered his study of elementary choral conducting through the Kodály Program at Seattle Pacific University in July 2016. During the program, Dillon participated in choral conducting masterclasses, performed in lab choirs directed by professional conductors, taught an elementary general music lesson, wrote a number of new learning plans, and more—all under the guidance of some of the top elementary music and conducting experts in the Pacific Northwest. Dillon used his follow-up grant to start an elementary choral music library for the Mountain View Youth Chorus, an after-school program in Kenai, Alaska.
In his final report, Dillon reflected:
“This professional development program exceeded my expectations as an opportunity to improve my craft as a conductor and artist, but also prepared me to become a better teacher in general … I’m ecstatic about putting what I’ve learned into practice!”
Links
Facebook: Mountain View Elementary, Kenai, Alaska
Website: Mountain View Elementary
Website: Alaska State Council on the Arts
I have always want to give to others. Yes, I am blind and mobility impaired, however, I am blessed beyond comprehension. I am alive, able to talk, to touch, to hear, and to think. I have a beautiful family, a strong faith, a job that I like and so much more! I believe what Hellen Keller said, ‘The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight but no vision’.
I entered the The 2017 Holman Prize for Blind Ambition competition, which could allow me further my dream to expand camps for children with disabilities if I’m awarded $25,000! I made a video, that needs your popular vote in order to progress to the next level of competition. Yes, I’m blind, and made a video!
I uploaded a YouTube video of my project, and it’s titled “Jordana Engebretsen: Reaching Your Full Potential No Matter Your Ability.” I want to develop camps in two new locations: Iceland and Peru.
Your help is needed for me to progress, please watch the video and please give it a thumbs up.
I want to give more children and youth with disabilities the opportunity to participate in a camp experience. You can check out what I’m currently doing at our website www.cristovive.net. I have developed and led these camps for several years.
Muchas gracias,
Jordana Engebretsen
KPBSD teacher of the blind and visually impaired, TVI, MA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIMRR9jrHrE&index=7&list=PLBgTkRMP5uaz784GjDzUKRvog4TSpAwPA
“The Holman Prize is not meant to save the world or congratulate someone for leaving the house. This prize will spark unanticipated accomplishments in the blindness community. You will see blind people doing things that surprise and perhaps even confuse you. These new LightHouse prizes will change perceptions about what blind people are capable of doing.”
— Bryan Bashin, CEO at LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Where does revenue come from?
KPBSD receives funding from three sources:
A school district does not have authority to raise its own revenue.
What is an expenditure?
Primary expenses are staff and classroom instruction. Like a business, planning and operations, information systems, utilities, etc. are also included.
How-to balance the budget?
Balancing the FY18 Budget
Status Quo Revenue projects a deficit of ($ 3.45 million)*
Projected FY18 Expenditure Reductions (2.48 million)
Use of General Fund Balance (savings) 1.13 million
*The Alaska State Legislature may recommend and vote to make additional reductions to education funding.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough has the ability to increase support to education funding, by contributing to the maximum allowable contribution, also called a cap.
KPBSD Fiscal Reality – Our challenge
“Alaska is addressing its ongoing fiscal challenges, and it is important that everyone is involved in the conversation to ensure a long-term fiscal plan is finally implemented.”
— Superintendent Sean Dusek, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
KPBSD Reductions:
For several years, budget reductions have come through efficiencies, Pupil to Teacher Ratio (PTR) increases, and reduction of staff.
The effects of these cuts have been kept as far away from the classroom as possible and most of the public do not realize these are already in effect. But, $8,550,530 has been reduced since FY15.
FY15 Budget Reductions ($1,254,000)
FY16 Budget Reductions (1,375,000)
FY17 Budget Reductions (3,436,829)
FY18 Budget Reductions (2,484,701)
Total Budget Reductions ($ 8,550,530)
Further reductions to education funding in FY18 will increase the deficit, thus likely impact KPBSD staff, classroom instruction and support.
If the Alaska State legislature passes additional revenue cuts to state education funding, the KPBSD $3.45 million budget deficit will increase. And, state reductions can affect the Kenai Peninsula Borough maximum allowable contribution to KPBSD. This is the additional state funding impact to KPBSD:
Ten KPBSD teachers equates to one million dollars.
www.KPBSD.org
Please take a brief survey for parents open February 22 – March 11, 2017, to share your perceptions and thoughts about the six early release days for students.KPBSD staff is also completing a similar survey.
“Each school day, more than 1,200 KPBSD employees do all that they can to provide a quality education to our district’s students. A part of this work is our continuous improvement process that requires us to regularly evaluate our practices so that we can in turn, make the necessary changes to help our students’ find success. An intricate piece of our improvements is our professional development for our certified staff.
With the need to do more for our staff in this area, for the past four school years we designated six school days as minimum days–with a 90 minute early release for students, while staff works a maximum day in order to deliberately devote time to collaborate and collectively address the learning needs of our students.
Now that you are familiar with these shortened student school days, we want to receive your feedback. Please complete these questions, and provide your optional comments.” – Sean Dusek, superintendent
http://bit.ly/2017KPBSDEarlyReleaseSurveyPARENTS
Thank you very much for your time.
The next early release date is April 5, 2017
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