The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly set the minimum amount allocated to the school district at $46 million for Fiscal Year 2016.
Superintendent Sean Dusek said that is $2 million higher than last year’s minimum but even if the borough funds to the cap, the district will still be in deficit spending.
Dusek: “Basically, they’re kind of in the same situation as the School District, we’re waiting to see how the Legislative Session wraps up to really determine what the maximum allowable is from the Borough, and so at that point, hopefully we’ll have that resolution before them May 19th and they’ll take up what their final funding will be for the schools.”
During the district’s quarterly report, Dusek pointed out that Kenai Peninsula Borough School District graduation rates are increasing and attributed that to programs like Career and Technical Education courses.
He said many of those classes are on the table with the district’s worst possible scenario budget deficit.
Dusek: “I don’t think very many people are optimistic about the state’s fiscal climate, it looks pretty bleak. We heard again today at the Chamber meeting, next year there’s going to be more cuts. So we’re hoping they can wrap up this year as quickly as possible so we can get a better sense of what we can do for next year and then plan for the future. I know that Mayor Navarre, we’ve been working very closely together to provide the best possible education we can for our students.”
Assembly Member Blaine Gilman introduced an amendment to add $1.5 million to the minimum amount the borough would give the district.
That failed 4 to 5 with Brent Johnson, Sue McClure, Blaine Gilman, and Kelly Cooper voting in favor of the increase.