SITKA, ALASKA
The Sitka School District has until March 16th to balance and approve its budget for the next fiscal year. A little more than a month, during which it has to close a $1.3 million gap.

The deficit has a few sources. One is the predicted loss of about 17 students, each of whom represents more than $7,000 in state funding to Sitka. Health care costs could go up by as much as 20 percent, city funding could go down by about 2 percent, and federal money is beginning to wane.

But the news isn’t all grim. The district has some money in reserve, and utility costs are staying flat or even dropping. Plus, there are movements in the state legislature to increase the amount of money each district gets per student. It’s called the Base Student Allocation, or BSA.

One bill calls for an increase of $100 per student.

“That’s $260,000 to us” when put through the funding formula, said Superintendent Steve Bradshaw. “If the board does what they normally do, and looks at somewhere in the neighborhood of $500,000 out of the reserve, and you get the extra $260,000 on the BSA, then you’re down to a reasonable figure.”

The school board has about $960,000 in reserve, and it generally doesn’t want to spend more than half of that. School Board President Lon Garrison says the rest is used as a cushion for when the year begins.

“If for some reason our student count comes in way under what we have budgeted, that we have the ability to make up that difference without having to pink slip teachers or staff right at the beginning of the year,” Garrison said. “I mean that is a super uncomfortable and unproductive thing to have to happen.”

So, half the reserves, plus some possible increases in state funding could help make up some of the numbers. The district also is anticipating about $5 million from the city’s annual appropriation to the school district. That’s 2 percent less than last year.

Assembly member Thor Christianson, whose wife teaches in the district, is hoping the city will be able to put more money toward the schools. He attended Wednesday’s budget hearing and encouraged the public to contact Assembly members.

More money from the state, the possibility of more from the city – those are uncertainties. And Garrison, on the school board, says that’s where some difficult decisions could come in.

“If any of these additional revenue sources don’t pan out, there’s no question in my mind that there’s going to be some significant staff reductions,” Garrison said.

Last year, the school district avoided layoffs and cut its staff by not replacing all those who retired. This year, that option might not exist, Bradshaw said.

“This is the first year since I’ve been here that I’m concerned that we won’t be able to do it through retirements,” he said. “In the past we’ve always been able to do that. I do not see that many people that are talking retirement. When you have to riff people that becomes a real strong concern.”

On Wednesday night, some parents and a student urged the district to maintain the strength of several programs, including the district’s homeschool program, cultural education and foreign languages. Two people said the district should hire a full-time behavioral specialist.

Jean Swanson said the work done by Ben White at Baranof Elementary improved her son’s education.

“Over the two years Joey was in Mr. White’s caseload, Joey not only was more successful than he had been for the four years he had attended DLP and BES, but Mr. White was in constant contact with us as parents to ensure the safety of our son,” she said.

But Swanson said after her son left Baranof, there were inconsistencies in how his behavior was handled. A district-wide behavioral specialist could address those inconsistencies, she said.

The school board rolls up its sleeves at a work session on March 1. A final hearing, and a vote on approving the budget, is scheduled for March 16.

If you didn’t get to Wednesday’s hearing, board members say they’re still interested in what you have to say. Click here to view contact information for the Sitka School Board.
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