The Kenai Peninsula School District is in the midst of negotiations with local teachers unions.
Pegge Erkeneff…
Erkeneff: “We’ve had three sessions so far, exchanged offers and at our last session, which was on March 19 the associations brought forth a new proposal to the district, both KPEA and KPESA, so we’re looking at that and we’re looking forward and continuing in good faith to meet again on April 15th and everybody’s welcome to attend.”
Those Associations are looking for teacher raises but according to KPEA President David Brighton, those raises are minor, basically equaling a cost of living adjustment.
Brighton: “Well I think that everyone’s hoping and a lot of experts would agree that oil prices will be coming back up in a year or two. So I think that it’s reasonable for government entities to do deficit spending to maintain a high level of service.”
According to the School District’s current proposed budget for FY 2016, unless more funding is provided, the fund balance will be spent by next year.
School Board President Joe Arness said any money going to contracts within the next few years will have to come laterally from within the budget, not as an add-on.
Arness: “So it will have to be re allocated from something else, where it’s currently in use. The fundamental law of money is when you run out you can’t spend any more and we can’t.”
One change making the District nervous this year: the State is considering a $200 drop in the Base Student Allocation rate, which Arness previously stated would affect how much the Borough contributes to the school district.
