Feb 17
9
You’re invited: February KPBSD community budget forums
News Release
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:
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February 14, 5:30 p.m., Seward High School Library
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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.
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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
- Attend a KPBSD school site council meeting, school board meeting, Key Communicator Hour
- Communicate with your school, friends, neighbors, legislators, and elected officials
- 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
- View any of the other short videos that explain aspects of funding and budgets*
LINKS
KPSBD online video channel: Budget*
- 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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