Tag: News release

What will happen if there is a strike in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District?

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
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What will happen if there is a strike in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District?


Soldotna, August 7, 2019—The school district is hopeful that a tentative agreement will be reached when collective bargaining resumes with the Kenai Peninsula Education Association (KPEA) and Kenai Peninsula Education Support Association (KPESA) on Tuesday, August 13, 2019, starting at 4:30 p.m. at the Soldotna High School library. The district will provide updates following this and any subsequent collective bargaining dates.
The district is receiving questions from school principals, parents, and staff about what would happen if an agreement is not reached, and a union strike occurs.
This communication is provided solely to offer some clarity about what would happen if there is a work stoppage and emergency closure of schools.

  • If the unions decide to call a strike, they are required to provide the Superintendent of Schools with 72-hour notice prior to a work stoppage. The Superintendent of Schools will immediately notify all staff, parents, community partners, contractors, etc. of the start date of the strike. A media release will be issued.
  • EMERGENCY SCHOOLS CLOSURE: During a strike, every KPBSD school will be closed, including Connections Homeschool, charter and alternative schools, and distance delivery programs.
  • An EMERGENCY SCHOOLS CLOSURE encompasses all before and after school activities, sports, community school activities, pools, and any rentals or usage of school facilities. The emergency closure includes Boys and Girls Club activities in every KPBSD school or facility. Only individuals approved by the Superintendent of Schools will have access to KPBSD schools and facilities.
  • The cancellation of all high school sporting activities are subject to the rules of KPSAA, affiliate region boards, and ASAA. These contests may or may not be able to be made up.
  • School session days and staff work days that are missed due to a strike must be made up. The number of days that schools are closed due to a strike will be added to the end of the 2019-2020 school year calendar in May.
  • If a strike were to occur, daily updates will be issued about the EMERGENCY SCHOOLS CLOSURE. Official KPBSD communications will be posted on the KPBSD website and digital media platforms.

New school year registrations and activities will continue on a normal schedule. A change would not occur unless the Superintendent of Schools receives a 72-hour notice of a strike from the Associations.
Questions

  • KPBSD staff: contact the Human Resources Department
  • Media and public: contact KPBSD Communications, Pegge Erkeneff, Director of Communications, Community, and Government Relations, Pegge@KPBSD.org

Read or download this in a PDF
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You're invited: February KPBSD community budget forums

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Alaska fiscal challenge and impact to KPBSD budget

Do you know which educational opportunities for your children and the youth in our communities might diminish because of a multi-million dollar budget deficit in the KPBSD? 

Attend a budget development forum to learn about the proposed 2017-2018 KPBSD budget, the $3.45 million deficit with status quo revenue*, expenditures, revenues, and administrative recommendations to address the deficit.
Parents, staff, students, business partners, community members, and elected officials—mark your calendar and bring your questions:

  • February 14, 5:30 p.m., Seward High School Library

  • February 15, 5:30 p.m., Soldotna High School Library,  This presentation will also be broadcast via skype for business at these school locations: Kenai Central High School library, Nikiski Middle-High School library, Port Graham, Nanwalek, Susan B. English, and Tebughna schools.


  • February 21, 5:30 p.m., Homer High School Library

Be informed so you can advocate for the 2017-2018 school district budget which will define opportunities and offerings in August, 2017. The budget recommendation will be presented to the school board on March 6, 2017.
*Why be concerned?
Think in terms of this: ten KPBSD teachers equates to one million dollars. If the Alaska State legislature passes additional revenue cuts to state education funding, the KPBSD $3.45 million budget deficit will increase. This is the additional impact:

  • 1% Reduction to BSA = $1.05 million
  • 3% Reduction to BSA = $3.18 million
  • 5% Reduction to BSA = $5.29 million

“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,” said Sean Dusek, superintendent. “As a part of this conversation, we will continue to prioritize services to provide the most effective and efficient education possible for all of our students. Your voice will help shape those priorities as well as clearly communicate that all students should remain the number one priority in Alaska and the Kenai Peninsula Borough.”

“Our annual budget is one of the most important things we do each year,” said Dave Jones, assistant superintendent of instructional support. “We want to give our parents, staff, students, and community members a chance to learn about our budget, participate in the process, and ask questions.”
Action ideas

  1. Attend a KPBSD school site council meeting, school board meeting, Key Communicator Hour
  2. Communicate with your school, friends, neighbors, legislators, and elected officials
  3. Watch the nine minute video shown at the fall community budget meetings to learn how KPBSD crafts a budget in response to the fiscal reality impacting all aspects of state government and funding for public education
  4. View any of the other short videos that explain aspects of funding and budgets*

LINKS
KPBSD Finance Department
KPSBD online video channel: Budget* 

  • FY18 Community Budget Development presentation, 10-13-16, PDFand Video
  • Budget Basics PDF and Video
  • Fund Balance Categories PDF and Video
  • General Fund Revenue PDF and Video
  • Grants PDF and Video
  • Staffing Formulas PDF and Video        *link includes all videos & PDFs

If the future success for our KPBSD K-12 students is dependent on a quality education so graduates will be prepared for college or a career, funding public education is crucial. In this time of fiscal uncertainty, KPBSD asks everyone to attend a public budget meeting, and become involved in the financial solutions for our school district and state.
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FY18 february budget meeting announcement graphic