Tag: legislature

Your voice is essential: state lawmakers want to know where you stand

News Release: Your Voice is Needed
KPBSD_2017-2022_StrategicPlan_Seal
Community schools, sports and activities, and effective class sizes are critical to continue successful outcomes for K-12 schools on the Kenai Peninsula. In February, the Governor proposed a budget substitute for the 2019-2020 school year that will result in a cut of $22.4 million from KPBSD schools. 

However, the Governor and state legislators want to hear from you about that proposed budget before it is set in stone. Therefore, now is the time to join the conversation and contribute to positive outcomes for our young people through these opportunities to speak up about what you value in schools and education funding:
 

Saturday, March 23, 2019

 

Monday, March 25, 2019

  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM: The Birds Eye View weekly KSRM 920 AM radio show, guest Governor Michael J. Dunleavy. Call in number: 907-283-5811, listen live online

 

  • 6:00 – 8:00 PM: The Cannery Lodge, Kenai. Statewide Discussion for a Permanent Fiscal Plan with Governor Dunleavy and team. Event is full, wait list only.*

 

“One thing is clear, in order to be successful, we must have the engagement and support of the Alaskan people.”
– Governor Michael J. Dunleavy

“Cuts and efficiencies are possible and necessary, but these proposed reductions would have significant impacts on elders and youth, rural and urban residents, and every facet of our economy. Because of this stark reality, all budget decisions must be informed by input from people across our state.”
– House Speaker Bryce Edgmon

*KDLL 91.9 FM public radio will stream these events live.
District administration, principals, and the Board of Education identified cuts that will be necessary if the Governor’s proposed budget is adopted. This list is $5 million shy of the proposed $22.4 million cut.
2019_March KPBSD 22.4 million in proposed cuts
 
Links

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Contact your Kenai Peninsula State Legislators

Six state legislators represent Kenai Peninsula Borough Schools

PDF Flyer to print: Kenai Peninsula legislators
2019 Kenai Peninsula Borough School District state legislators
Links

 

Ramifications of Governor Dunleavy's proposed FY20 Budget

Several community budget meetings took place in February, and the Board of Education met for two days this week to take a sobering look at what the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District would have to cut to begin to meet the Governor’s proposed FY20 reduction to state funding.
  • The Governor Michael J. Dunleavy 2019-2020 State Budget proposed drastic cuts to education funding
  • Alaska State Legislators could honor the FY20 education funding put into law in 2018 by the 30th Legislature, or put forth an alternative FY20 budget
  • KPBSD schools are funded by both the State of Alaska and the Kenai Peninsula Borough

One-page printable PDF flyer: Snapshot of $22.4 million in cuts to the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

 

2019_March KPBSD 22.4 million in proposed cuts

 
In addition to this list, $5 million further in cuts would be needed to meet the deficit the Governor’s proposed budget would create for the KPBSD.

State funding reductions link to how much the Borough can fund education for the school district, which results in an even further reduction to education funding to KPBSD.
Current bills before the legislature may also affect Borough revenue if passed, which would affect Borough revenue, and create an even larger deficit.

What can you do?

  • Contact your state legislator via phone, email, or attend a town hall meeting
  • Testify at a legislative hearing in a LIO office, make a phone call, or write a letter
  • Attend Borough Assembly meetings, talk to Assembly members about “local” Borough funding
  • Talk to your principal or school site council about the impact of education funding reductions to your school
  • Advocate for a realistic state fiscal plan, speak up and share your positive stories about education

Links

PDF flyer: 2019 Kenai Peninsula Borough School District state legislators and respective schools in their districts

Funding K-12 Public Education | March 2019

In  March, you have several opportunities to become informed, and advocate for K-12 education funding. Events are happening at local schools, in communities, with the school district, the borough assembly, at town halls, and with hearings of bills in Juneau.
2019 March Budget opportunities for public
Monday, March 4, 2019

  • Board of Education Finance Committee meeting: 2:00 p.m., Redoubt conference room, school district offices
  • Monthly school board meeting: 6:00 p.m. Assembly Chambers

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

  • Board of Education worksession: FY20 Budget, 10:30 a.m., Soldotna Prep School Professional Development Room
  • Joint Board of Education and Borough Assembly worksession:  2:00 p.m., Borough Assembly Chambers
  • Borough Assembly meeting: 6:00 p.m., Borough Assembly Chambers
  • One minute public testimony to Senate State Affairs: 6:00 p.m.*

Thursday, March 7, 2019

  • One minute public testimony to Senate State Affairs: 6:00 p.m.*

Thursday, March 21, 2019

  • Board of Education Special Meeting: FY20 Budget: 6:00 p.m., Borough Assembly Chambers, public testimony invited

*Public opportunity to testify to the Senate State Affairs committee

  • Tuesday, March 5, 2019, starting at 6:00 PM
  • Thursday, March 7, 2019, starting at 6:00 PM
    about SB24 and SB23, both related to the PFD.

To balance the FY20 state budget, the Governor has proposed the State of Alaska cut $20.9 million in funding to Kenai Peninsula Borough School District schools.

Public testimony limited to one minute:
1. In person: at the Capitol, 2nd Floor, Butrovich Room
2. Legislative Information Offices: Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla, Fairbanks, Kenai
3. Call in: you may call in starting at 5:30 PM to get in the “queue”
From Juneau: 586-9085
From Anchorage: 563-9085
From all other locations: 844-856-9085
more info., and link to listen online: http://w3.legis.state.ak.us/
LINKS
2019 How to contact your state legislator
2019_02_18_State Reductions and proposed FF cuts FY20

How to contact your state legislators

2019 How to contact your state legislator
information:
Public opportunity to testify to the Senate State Affairs committee on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 and Thursday, March 7, 2019, starting at 6:00 PM, about SB24 and SB23, both related to the PFD.
To balance the FY20 state budget, the Governor has proposed the State of Alaska cut $20.9 million in funding to Kenai Peninsula Borough School District schools.
Testify (one minute):
1. In person – at the Capitol, 2nd Floor, Butrovich Room
2. Legislative Information Offices: Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla, Fairbanks, Kenai
3. Call in: you may call in starting at 5:30 PM to get in the queue of callers
From Juneau: 586-9085
From Anchorage: 563-9085
From all other locations: 844-856-9085
more info., and link to listen online: http://w3.legis.state.ak.us/
Link: The Legislature and KPBSD
2019_02_18_State Reductions and proposed FF cuts FY20
 2019 March Budget opportunities

Student Voice and #AKleg visits in Juneau

AASB and youth flyin
KPBSD and The Legislature
School Board Leadership and Youth Advocacy Institute

A full weekend of learning and collaborating with school board members and students from around the state, plus two days of appointments with more than 25 legislators to share “Kenai schools” stories was fun, informative, and thought provoking! February 10–13, 2018, two students, three school board members, a Soldotna Prep teacher, and the district communications liaison participated in the Alaska Association of School Board (AASB) Legislator Leadership Flyin and Youth Advocacy Institute in Juneau, Alaska.
Whether it was testifying at a hearing, being introduced on the House of Representative floor, meeting with Governor Walker around his many yards long conference table, or the many excellent questions and facts and figures shared, our team was so well received. Aides and legislators showed our young people and team kindness, genuine interest in schools, and affirmation about the diverse schools in KPBSD. Two KPBSD student leaders reflect on their experience:
Highlight of High School
“Going to Juneau was the highlight of my high-school experiences. Having the opportunity to go to the state capital building and seeing, first hand, how hard our government works for us opened my eyes to the challenges we, as a state, face. I was proud to be a part of a group with such a positive attitude and the ability to articulate the needs of not only our district but all the districts of our state. The respect we were shown as a group and on an individual basis by everyone we met, from the Commissioner of Education, the Governor of Alaska, to the members of the House and the Senate showed me the value of a student’s voice. I have personally been advocating for education for many years, I feel my voice was truly heard in Juneau. I had several legislators stop me in the halls of the capital building to tell me they appreciated my voice and the positive message the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District conveyed. Thank Goodness for the DREAM TEAM of three school board members, two students, a teacher, and our communications liaison!” – Sabrina Ferguson, Ninilchik School, KPBSD Information Committee Student Representative
My Experience
“I had the pleasure and honor of meeting with Representatives and Senators from across the state during the February legislative fly-in with the school board and youth advocacy institute. It was a great time, opened my eyes to so many different things, and an opportunity to promote our wonderful district. I realized that the representatives and senators love hearing from kids! They love hearing what we have to say, and what we think needs changed or improved. Our local school board is just such a wonderful group of people! I loved every moment and aspect of the time in Juneau, and I encourage any student who is reading this to get involved with our school board, and to take the time to write to your Representative and Senator and let them know what’s going on in your school!” – Calvin Mitzel, Soldotna High School, KPBSD Board of Education Student Representative
Alaska Association of School Boards website
KPBSD and The Legislature webpage

Governor Bill Walker meets with the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District in the Cabinet Room at the State Capitol in Juneau, Alaska, February 12, 2018. David Lienemann/Office of the Governor
Governor Bill Walker meets with the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District in the Cabinet Room at the State Capitol in Juneau, Alaska, February 12, 2018.
David Lienemann/Office of the Governor

KPBSD School Board is frustrated #AKleg

June 8, 2017KPBSD logo 4c no tag SMALL

The Alaska State Legislature
Conference Committee on Hb57
Representative Paul Seaton
Senator Lyman Hoffman
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801
Dear Representative Seaton and Senator Hoffman:
On behalf of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education, I am writing to express our frustration over the Legislature’s inability to produce and pass a budget for the fiscal year 2018. The impact on our schools, staff and students caused by this inadequacy cannot be understated. Our district has less than 55 work days before school doors open again to welcome students for another year. The few summer weeks that schools are closed, the district office administration works diligently to plan and prepare so that our school staff have what they need to succeed the minute they return to their buildings. At this point, KPBSD cannot even make crucial decisions on filling vacant positions, much less move forward with other critical preparation.
This legislative session is a perfect example of why the state must develop a comprehensive, long-term fiscal plan that includes forward funding for education. It is unreasonable and unconscionable to expect school districts to function at their highest level and provide a world class education to students when they are held hostage to the legislature’s timeline and inability to move forward in an efficient manner.
If you would like to discuss this further of if our board can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Joe Arness, President
Board of Education
2017_06_08_Board Letter to Legislature re budget concerns

Key Communicator Hour presentation and documents

Thank you to everyone who attended the Key Communicator Hour on Thursday, April 6, 1017. Following up  on requests from several attendees:
Click here to watch the April 6, 2017 video with Superintendent Dusek’s presentation, followed by Q & A
A question was asked if KPBSD has budget and legislature talking points; these are helpful links:

If you have questions, please contact Pegge Erkeneff, communications liaison: Communications@KPBSD.org, and search this blog for keywords such as budget, legislature, etc. for additional posts.
2017_04_06 Key Communicator Hour

What's happening? State of the KPBSD – April 6, 2017

2017_04_06 Key Communicator Hour web

You’re invited
State of the KPBSD with Superintendent Dusek
Thursday, April 6, 2017
5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Everyone is welcome!

Superintendent Dusek will provide a legislative and budget update via Skype for Business, followed by time to respond to your questions. Learn about education related bills and school funding. Hosting schools:

  • Homer Middle School

  • Mountain View Elementary

  • Nikiski Middle-High School

  • Skyview Middle School

  • Susan B. English School

  • William H. Seward Elementary

“This is a critical juncture in Alaskan and American history. We are all working on providing the best education possible for our students every day. This takes hard work and certainty. Our Alaska legislature and borough can provide that certainty while maintaining public education as the number one priority of our state. At the federal level, public funds should also go to public entities while local control should be honored. We are at a crossroads and your voice will be critical to keep our system moving forward to develop high quality, productive citizens to be our future leaders.” – KPBSD Superintendent Sean Dusek